Brian Epstein was the long-time manager of the Beatles. He started in this role on January 24,’62, but it was cut short by his untimely death on August 27,’67 (of a drug overdose). Although the Beatles were by far his most popular band, he did manage other acts…such as Gerry and the Pacemakers, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, the Remo Four, and Cilla Black.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”.Brian Samuel Epstein was born on September’,’34 in the port city of Liverpool, England. At the young age of 16 he expressed his desire to become a dress designer, but that didn’t sit well with his father. His father, mortified at this suggestion, ordered him to “report for duty” at the family’s furniture shop. This was certainly not Brian’s idea of a meaningful career, but he did comply with the demand.It was through the issues of the Mersey Beat, and the various posters around Liverpool, that Brian first heard of the Beatles. November 9,’61 was to prove to be an eventful day, as it was on this day that Brian first heard the Beatles play. It was at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, and he was immediately taken by their unique sound, and their on-stage humor. Things really started to develop from here, and on January 24,’62 Brian was signed 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.Brian often went to London with the hope of securing a recording contract for the Beatles. This was to prove to be a tougher job than he at first realized. Rejected by many of the major record labels of the time (i.e.: Philips, Oriole, Decca, Columbia, and Pye), he eventually worked his way over to EMI. When George Martin (who was the manager of their Parlophone label) listened to Brian describe the group, he signed the Beatles without even hearing them play. George was to later say that it was Brian’s enthusiasm for the Beatles that eventually won them a recording deal. Such was Brian’s belief in his new group.August 27,’67 was to prove to be a fateful day in the lives of the Beatles, for on this day, Brian Epstein died of a drug overdose. The man who had orchestrated their sudden rise to fame and glory was gone. They now had to manage their careers on their own. They did not attend his funeral as they felt it would only draw media and fans. Years later, in 2008, the first contract that the Beatles signed with Brian was auctioned off for 240,000 pounds…
Interested in learning more? Check out the blog: beatles let it be