In December 2015, Liverpool paid a heartfelt tribute to its most famous hometown hero when Paul McCartney, along with his Beatles bandmates, was immortalised in bronze on the city’s iconic waterfront. Situated at Pier Head—nestled between the Liver Building, Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building—stands a larger-than‑life statue depicting Paul, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr walking together.
The piece was created by sculptor Andy Edwards and was unveiled on 4 December 2015. The timing intentionally coincided with the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ final hometown concert, held on 5 December 1965 at the Liverpool Empire Theatre . This bronze gift was generously donated to the city by none other than The Cavern Club—the legendary venue where the Beatles first honed their craft.
Each band member is captured with thoughtful personal touches. Paul is holding a camera close to his chest, honouring his late wife, photographer Linda McCartney . George’s belt features a Sanskrit inscription reflecting his spiritual journey and affinity for Indian culture . .
Ringo appears slightly set back, just as he was on stage, and his right-sole bears the postal code “L8”—a nod to his childhood in Liverpool’s Welsh Streets . John Lennon stands with two acorns in his hand, symbolising his peace activism—the acorns date back to his 1968 peace gesture involving world leaders .
The statue quickly became more than a landmark—it’s now a beloved pilgrimage site for Beatles fans around the world. Locals and visitors alike frequently pose with Paul’s nose or the acorns in John’s hand. Some leave flowers at the statue for Lennon’s birthday, and on a recent March day, someone even “pinched Paul’s nose” for luck, capturing the community’s playful affection .
As Andy Edwards intended, the statue has indeed become a place of ritual—a meeting point where memories and stories are shared, binding together past, present and future with a single, enduring image of four lads from Liverpool who changed the world
