The Brian Epstein Story

It was decided that Brian would be the Beatles' manager at a meeting on December 10, 1961. Their first contract was for a five year period. The contract was formally signed at Pete Best's house on January 24, 1962, with Alistair Taylor as witness, although Brian, himself, didn't sign it. When asked why later, Brian answered "Well, if they ever want to tear it up, they can hold me but I can't hold them."

Brian smartened up the Beatles' stage appearance by putting them in matching suits and he instructed them not to smoke or swear on stage. Brian also encouraged the boys to make a rather theatrical synchronized bow at the conclusion of each song when performing in concert or on television. All of the Beatles went along with their new image although there was some initial very minor grumbling from John and George.

During his 'demythologize the Beatles' phase in 1970, John made references to how these image changes had somehow "tamed the real Beatles" and that he'd been against it at the time. However, most contemporary reports - and indeed recent McCartney comments - note that at the time, all of the Beatles (including John) were happy to follow Epstein's shrewd advice, particularly when it proved to be 100% effective. The reality is that in the climate of the early 60's no British or American TV show would have given the Beatles (or any other pop group) even five seconds of air time looking as they did pre-Brian.

Brian and his other artistes

Now that he was signed to be their manager, it was Brian's job to get them a recording contract. He used the clout of his family's record stores in Liverpool to get meetings with all the major British record companies. But the Beatles were rejected by every label including the two biggest companies, EMI and Decca. Brian finally secured a contract for the Beatles in June 1962 when they were signed by George Martin, head of one of EMI's smallest labels, Parlophone.

George Martin commented later that he signed the Beatles in considerable part because of Epstein’s enthusiasm. He thought that the Beatles had promise, but he was not entirely convinced by their talent. However, he was very impressed by Epstein’s conviction that the Beatles would be world famous.

Brian on Hullabuloo

Shortly after they signed with EMI, John, Paul and George (who had been together as the nucleus of the group since 1958) gave Brian the unpleasant job of telling drummer Pete Best that they wanted him out of the group, to be replaced by Ringo. Brian was uncomfortable but accomplished this difficult task.

In a very real sense Epstein had now passed his ‘audition’ with the Beatles. In a mere six months he had secured them the record contract that they had desired for so long. And he had proven his ability to handle the most awkward of managerial tasks.

In addition to managing the Beatles, Brian decided to manage other artists. Some became successful all over the world including the USA. These included Gerry & The Pacemakers and Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas. Others - such as The Fourmost and Cilla Black - enjoyed success everywhere but America. And there were a few who never broke though - even in their native Britain. Brian also appeared on several TV shows in Britain, and hosted a regular segment of the US TV show Hullabaloo.

But Brian's first love was always the Beatles. His joy in life was seeing their ever-burgeoning success and ensuring their happiness. This devotion to work was often at the expense of his personal life.

In April 1964, at the age of 29, he hired Derek Taylor (who subsequently became the Beatles’ legendary publicist) to co-write his autobiography A Cellarful of Noise which was published in October of that year. Together with writer Ray Coleman’s Brian Epstein (the only biography of him) - published in 1989 - these two books constitute the most authoritive sources for information about the man who guided the Beatles to becoming the most successful popular artists of all time.

During the time Brian managed the Beatles, they enjoyed the greatest success that any popular artists had ever achieved. Their career trajectory was meteoric. There was not a single reversal of fortune in the entire 5 3/4 years. Once he died the Beatles became embroiled in a tangle of conflicts, money squabbles and personal jealousies. They had lost the one man who united them and who was capable of resolving their differences.

From the first Beatles success until his tragic death in August 1967, Brian took care of every aspect of the Beatles' career. When he died the difference was immediately felt. While the Beatles continued to make magnificent music, their business affairs rapidly crumbled. Within two years of Brian's death the end of the Beatles was clearly in sight. By 1970 it was all over.