When you think of The Beatles, you think of Liverpool. It was, after all, the city where the legendary band began their journey. However, today we’re not focusing on the musicians, but on their manager, Brian Epstein. Often a figure in the shadows, it was Brian Epstein who guided the Beatles from 1962 until his death. Read on to discover more about the life and career of this renowned music entrepreneur on iliverpool.info.
Early Life and Education
Brian was born in Liverpool in 1934. During the Second World War, the Epstein family relocated to Southport. It was here that Brian began his schooling, though he struggled academically and was expelled from two different schools. After the war, the family returned to Liverpool. The young Liverpudlian had a great passion for art and theatre, which were his only successful subjects at school.
At nearly 16, he harboured ambitions of becoming a fashion designer, but his father did not approve.
In 1952, he was conscripted for national service.
The Start of a Career
After an unsuccessful stint in the military, the Liverpool native returned to his hometown. Epstein began working as a manager at the Clarendon Furnishing shop in Hoylake and, by 1955, had become a director of the family’s primary business, NEMS.
Later, Brian’s father put him in charge of the record department in the family’s newly opened NEMS music store. It’s worth noting that the young man worked tirelessly to make the store the largest in the North of England. A second family store soon followed.
As for The Beatles, Brian first became aware of them through issues of the local ‘Mersey Beat’ magazine and the numerous posters plastered around Liverpool. On 9 November 1961, he saw them perform live for the first time and got to know them better.
Brian Epstein was intrigued by the young musicians and soon offered to become their manager. As McCartney, Harrison, and then-drummer Pete Best were all under 21, parental consent was required. Ultimately, on 24 January 1962, The Beatles signed a five-year management contract with Brian Epstein. This initial contract entitled the Liverpool native to a commission of 10 to 15 per cent of their income.
A few months later, a new contract was drawn up, which allowed Epstein to earn 15, 20, or 25 per cent of the band’s income, depending on how much he helped them earn. He subsequently founded the management company NEMS Enterprises. A separate three-year publishing contract was also signed with Lennon and McCartney. Notably, expenses such as photography, transport, and international phone calls were paid out of Brian’s own 25 per cent share of the profits.
In 1963, Epstein advised the musicians to form a publishing company, Northern Songs, to control the copyrights for all Lennon-McCartney compositions. However, by 1969, this arrangement eventually led to the musicians losing control of all their publishing rights to ATV Music Publishing.
Impact on the Band
It is widely known that Brian Epstein had a profoundly positive impact on The Beatles’ image. Before him, the band would appear on stage in scruffy blue jeans and leather jackets. They were also known to eat, drink, and swear during their performances. The manager persuaded them to swap their leather jackets and jeans for smart suits and ties and to stop cursing, smoking, and eating on stage. While Paul McCartney was the first to embrace this transformation, John Lennon was reportedly the most resistant. The new image paid off: their popularity soared, and they began to book more and more concerts.
It’s also important to note that Brian struggled to get The Beatles a record deal but eventually secured an agreement with the EMI Parlophone label. Furthermore, the band famously signed every contract Epstein put in front of them, often without reading them first.
The years from 1963 to 1965 were incredibly intense for the group, filled with tours, television appearances, and films. On 29 August 1966, The Beatles performed their final live concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Brian Epstein urged them to continue touring, but they refused.
Epstein also managed Gerry and the Pacemakers, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, the Fourmost, the Cyrkle, Cilla Black, Tommy Quickly, and Sounds Incorporated, sending his artists on tours across the country.
The Liverpool native also hosted the music programme ‘Hullabaloo’ and appeared on several music-related TV shows in Britain.
Personal Life
Brian Epstein was devoted to his family and always helped them. He was also incredibly generous with his friends and colleagues. When John Lennon married Cynthia, Brian paid for their celebratory lunch. During her pregnancy, he covered the cost of a private hospital room for Cynthia. He also became the godfather to their son, Julian.
In August 1967, Brian Epstein died from an overdose of Carbrital. It was only after his death that it was revealed he was gay, which had been a closely guarded secret during his lifetime.
As for The Beatles, following Epstein’s death, the band faced a creative crisis, and soon after, each member began to pursue a solo career.
Brian Epstein was more than just the manager of a legendary band; he helped the musicians forge a unique image and championed their work tirelessly.
That is the story of the famous English entrepreneur and manager, Brian Epstein. We hope you found this article insightful and learned something new about a key figure from our city’s history.