Location: Mathew Street, Liverpool
Artist: Andy Edwards
Cilla Black, birthed as Priscilla Maria Veronica White was born in the Vauxhall district of Liverpool on 27 May 1943. Cilla grew up in the Scotland Road area of Vauxhall. She was raised in a Roman Catholic household and attended St Anthonys School in Scotland Road. Black later attended Anfield Community College where she learnt office skills, although determined and destined to become an entertainer, she gained a part- time job as a cloak room attendant at Liverpools Cavern Club- well and best known for its connection with The Beatles. Black was a woman who loved an impromptu performance which went on to impress The Beatles and others watching. The encouragement to pursue singing came from a Liverpool promoter- Sam Heath, who booked her first gig at the Zodiac Club.
Cilla was introduced to Brian Epstein by John Lennon, he convinced Epstein to audition her and after seeing her perform, on September 6th 1963, she became the only female to be signed to Epstein. Epstein then introduced her to George Martin at Parlophone records who produced her debut single "Love of The Loved" written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon.
Black had an impressive rise in the UK charts becoming a favourite in a generation of voices belonging to Dusty Springfield, Helen Shapiro, Petula Clark, Sandie Shaw, Marianne Faithful and Lulu. Black went on to become the best selling female recording artist in the UK during the 1960's releasing a total of 15 studio albums and 37 singles.
She passed away on August 1st, 2015 at the age of 72. Cilla's life came to an end in her holiday home in the Spanish town of Estepona.
In 2017, a life-size bronze statue of Cilla Black was unveiled outside Liverpool’s Cavern Club as the venue celebrated its 60th anniversary. The Liverpool-born singer made her name in the 1960s after being championed by The Beatles. Sculptor, Andy Edwards felt the importance of remembering Cilla and the story of the birth of that period in Liverpool’s musical culture. The sculpture shows a young Cilla performing one of her early songs and the design of her dress on the statue features images of her legendary career.
