On January 24,’62 the Beatles started to be managed by Brian Epstein. His role in the group was cut short by his sudden death on August 27,’67 of a drug overdose. Along with the Beatles, Brian managed other groups and artists, such as: Gerry and the Pacemakers, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, Cilla Black, and the Remo Four…but the Beatles were by far the most popular.
In this article we will be exploring the impact that Brian Epstein had on the development of the Beatles. Long attributed to the success of the Beatles in the early years, Paul McCartney is said to have uttered the words, “If anyone was the Fifth Beatle, it was Brian”.
September’,'34 in the port city of Liverpool, England…that’s when Brian Samuel Epstein entered into the world. He told his father that he wanted to be a dress designer when he hit 16, but his father was having nothing of it. Mortified at this suggestion of a career, he ordered the young Brian to report to the family’s furniture store for work. Brian really didn’t want a career in furniture sales, but he did show up at the store none-the-less.
It is commonly believed that Brian first heard of the Beatles via the issues of the Mersey Beat, and on the various Beatles posters that were displayed all around Liverpool at the time. He actually went to hear them play at the Cavern Club in Liverpool on November 9,’61. He was immediately taken by their unique sound, and the sense of humor that they exhibited on stage. Everything started to develop from this one meeting, and on January 24,’62 the Beatles signed Brian to a 5-year management contract.
Although this was the first time that Brian had managed an entertainment act, he made his impact known early. He influenced their dress code, and the attitude that they exhibited on stage. Brian encouraged the group to get rid of their leathers and wear suits. He had them stop swearing, smoking, drinking, and eating onstage. If you remember the synchronized bow at the end of the Beatles performances, it was Brian who suggested this move.
In the early years Brian made many trips to London to try and secure a recording contract for the Beatles. Unfortunately for the labels, he was rejected by many of them (i.e.: Columbia, Philips, Pye, Oriole, and Decca). The Decca audition is a particularly historical one, and we will be discussing this in another article. Eventually Brian worked his way over to EMI, and the Beatles were signed by their Parlophone label (after the group had been rejected by almost every other company). George Martin, the manager of Parlophone never even saw the Beatles play. He said that it was Brian’s enthusiasm that won the deal.
As we mentioned previously, Brian died of a drug overdose on August 27,’67. The Beatles did not attend his funeral as they wanted to give his family privacy. They felt that they would only have drawn the media and fans. Here’s a bit of trivia… Years later, in 2008, the first contract that the Beatles signed with Brian was auctioned off for 240,000 pounds…
Learn more about the Beatles. Stop by Brian Nestle’s site where you can find out all about their Let It Be song.