31/10/2003
Liverpool freedom for lawyer of Beatles manager
The man who told Brian Epstein he could not have a lifetime contract to manage The Beatles is to be made a Freeman of Liverpool.
As his family solicitor and next door neighbour, Epstein approached Rex Makin in 1963 to draw up a contract which bound him to The Beatles forever, only to be told it would never stand up in a law court.
A formal contract was never drafted and just four years later, Professor Makin was left to handle Epstein's sudden death which many argue triggered the eventual break-up of The Beatles.
Now, 78, an honorary professor and after more than 50 years in the legal profession, the father of two joins the Fab Four as a Freeman of Liverpool on Monday, November 3.
The first solicitor to receive the honour, he joins a roll call which also includes Ken Dodd, poet Roger McGough as well as adopted sons of the city such as football legend Bill Shankly.
Now recognised as much as a patron of the arts and education, Rex will be joined by friends Ken Dodd and Anne Robinson, who launched her career by getting the scoop on the death of the Beatles manager by giving Rex a lift from Epstein's London home to Euston.
An only child, Rex became the first lawyer in a family which arrived in Liverpool in the 1850's. After studying law at Liverpool University his practice has represented celebrities such as Bill Shankly, Rory Storm, Ken Dodd, Jimmy Tarbuck, Freddie Starr and Gerry Marsden and handled cases such as the Walton Sextuplets, Hillsborough and Heysel and most recently the Cameo Murder case.
The son of Joe and May Makin, Rex said: ''As a lawyer I'm not used to the establishment being nice to me. The ordinary people of Liverpool and I have had a long standing love affair. I've been there in all their disasters and most of their triumphs. This honour fills me with great pride. It recognises my contribution to the cultural and educational life of Liverpool. It is particular gratifying to receive it in the same year as the city was named European Capital of Culture.''
Liverpool's Lord Mayor Councillor Ron Gould said: ''Professor Makin is one of Liverpool's most colourful characters. He is a towering pillar of our city not just in the legal profession but in the arts and education.
''He is amazingly generous, and has for many decades invested and improved many of the city's major institutions such as John Moores University and the Liverpool Philharmonic. He is a throwback to the city's fine tradition of philanthropy and played no small part in Liverpool's successful bid to be European Capital of Culture in 2008.
''Rex has also used his vast skills as a champion of legal rights to champion Liverpool. His investiture into the roll call to the Freedom of this great city is much deserved.''
Comic legend Ken Dodd, who was awarded a Freeman of Liverpool in 2001, will speak at the ceremony and today paid tribute to his friend.
He said: ''He is a twin soul, in as much as we both deal from the same fruit barrow in Whitechapel! No, seriously, he is a warm and generous man who I am privileged to know. He has a brilliant mind which he delights in expressing.''
ENDS
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