Astrid Kirchherr

Astrid Kirchherr is a German born photographer known for her relationship with and early images of the Beatles. Astrid took her favorite photo of John Lennon, in low light with George Harrison standing behind him, in April 1962.  It was just days after her fiancé died in her arms on the way to the hospital. It was a sad day for all of them. Lennon and her fiancé, Stuart Sutcliffe, were best friends. At the time Harrison was only 18 years old.

Sutcliffe would have been the fifth Beatle had he not died of a brain hemorrhage. It was Astrid that cut Harrison's hair into the style that later became part of the Beatles image. In this photo you see all five guys. Sutcliffe was a brilliant painter, but less than average musician.

Astrid's photos tell behind the scenes stories of her friends' early start. She captured the innocence of their young faces. These images became more momentous each year as the Beatles gained fame. They continue to attract world attention more than 40 years later. This photo was taken in 1964 on the set of A Hard Day's Night