Editing Brian Epstein (section)

==The Beatles==
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Epstein first noticed the Beatles in issues of ''[[Mersey Beat]]'' and on numerous posters around Liverpool created by his commercial artist associate [[Tony Booth (artist)|Tony Booth]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thebeatlesposters.com/brian-epsteins-office-poster-collection/|title=Brian Epstein's Office Poster Collection {{!}} Buy Original Artwork of The Beatles Posters|website=thebeatlesposters.com|access-date=3 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104080617/http://thebeatlesposters.com/brian-epsteins-office-poster-collection/|archive-date=4 November 2016}}</ref> before he asked ''Mersey Beat'' editor [[Bill Harry]] who they were. Harry had previously convinced Epstein to sell the magazine at NEMS,{{sfn|Miles|1997|p=84}} with the Beatles featured on the front page of its second issue.{{sfn|Spitz|2005|pp=264–265}}{{sfn|Miles|1997|p=88}} The Beatles had recorded the "[[My Bonnie]]" single with [[Tony Sheridan]] in Germany, and some months after its release Epstein asked his personal assistant [[Alistair Taylor]] about it.{{sfn|Spitz|2005|p=265}} Epstein's version of the story was that customer Raymond Jones walked into the NEMS shop and asked him for the "My Bonnie" single, which made Epstein curious about the group.{{sfn|Gilliland| 1969|loc=show 27, track 5}}{{sfn|Miles|1997|pp=84–85}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Epstein |first1=Nadine |title=The Man Behind the Beatles |date=8 February 2013 |url=https://www.momentmag.com/brian-epstein-the-man-behind-the-beatles/ |access-date=13 June 2019}}</ref> Taylor later claimed that he had used the name of Jones (a regular customer) to order the single and paid the deposit, knowing that Epstein would notice it and order further copies.<ref name="AlistairTaylorHelloGoodbye">{{cite web |url=http://www.liddypool.com/alistair.htm |title=Alistair Taylor – Hello Goodbye |publisher=Liddypool |access-date=18 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111085410/http://www.liddypool.com/alistair.htm |archive-date=11 January 2009 }}</ref> Harry and McCartney later repudiated Epstein's story, as Harry had been talking to Epstein for a long time about the Beatles—the group that he promoted the most in ''Mersey Beat''—with McCartney saying, "Brian knew perfectly well who the Beatles were; they were on the front page of the second issue of ''Mersey Beat''".<ref name="TheBirthofMerseyBeatp5">{{cite web |url=http://www.triumphpc.com/mersey-beat/birth/birth5.shtml |title=The Birth of Mersey Beat (p5) |publisher=Bill Harry/Mersey Beat Ltd. |access-date=12 June 2009}}</ref> On 3 August 1961, Epstein started a regular music column in the ''Mersey Beat'' called "Stop the World—And Listen To Everything in It: Brian Epstein of NEMS".{{sfn|Cross|2004|p=36}}{{sfn|Spitz|2005|p=257}}

The Beatles were due to perform a Thursday lunchtime concert at [[The Cavern Club]] on 9 November 1961.<ref name="NowhereMan">{{cite news |first=Glenn |last=Frankel |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/21/AR2007082101714.html |title=Nowhere Man |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=26 August 2007 |access-date=19 April 2008}}</ref> According to club owner Sytner, Epstein had visited the club quite a few times previously on Saturday nights, once asking Sytner to book a group for his twenty-first birthday party.{{sfn|Brocken|2010|p=73}} Epstein asked Harry to arrange for Epstein and his assistant Taylor to watch the Beatles perform. The club allowed Epstein and Taylor to enter without queuing. They bypassed the line of fans at the door and heard [[Bob Wooler]], the resident disc jockey, announce a welcome message over the club's [[public address system]]:{{sfn|Spitz|2005|pp=266–268}} "We have someone rather famous in the audience today. Mr Brian Epstein, the owner of NEMS&nbsp;..."{{sfn|Miles|1997|p=85}}{{sfn|Spitz|2005|pp=266–268}} Epstein later talked about the performance: "I was immediately struck by their music, their beat and their sense of humour on stage—and, even afterwards, when I met them, I was struck again by their personal charm. And it was there that, really, it all started".<ref name="EpsteinCom" />

After the performance, Epstein and Taylor went into the dressing room (which he later described as being "as big as a broom cupboard") to talk to the group.<ref>"The Beatles Anthology" DVD 2003 (Episode 1 – 0:57:59) Epstein talking about his first meeting with the Beatles.</ref> The Beatles, all regular NEMS customers, immediately recognised Epstein, but before he could congratulate them on their performance [[George Harrison]] said, "And what brings Mr Epstein here?" Epstein replied with, "We just popped in to say hello. I enjoyed your performance." He introduced Taylor, who merely nodded a greeting, said, "Well done, then, goodbye" and left.{{sfn|Spitz|2005|pp=268–269}} Epstein and Taylor then went for lunch, and during the meal Epstein asked Taylor what he thought about the group. Taylor replied that he honestly thought they were "absolutely awful", but there was something "remarkable" about them. Epstein sat there smiling for a long time before exclaiming, "I think they're tremendous!"<ref name="EpsteinCom" /> Later, when Epstein was paying the bill, he grabbed Taylor's arm and said, "Do you think I should manage them?"{{sfn|Spitz|2005|p=269}}

The Beatles played at The Cavern Club over the next three weeks, and Epstein was always there to watch them. He contacted [[Allan Williams]] (their previous promoter/manager) to confirm that Williams no longer had any ties to the group, but Williams advised Epstein "[[wikt:touch with a barge pole|not to touch them with a fucking barge pole]]" because of a Hamburg concert percentage that the group had refused to pay.{{sfn|Miles|1997|p=75}}<ref name="NowhereMan3">{{cite news|first=Glenn|last=Frankel|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/21/AR2007082101714_3.html|title=Nowhere Man (p.3)|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=26 August 2007|access-date=26 May 2011}}</ref>

===Management contract===
<!-- Put references into this article from books or web pages or your edit will be deleted -->In an afternoon meeting with the group at NEMS on 3 December 1961, Epstein proposed the idea of managing the Beatles.{{sfn|Miles|1997|p=85}} [[John Lennon]], [[George Harrison]], and [[Pete Best]] arrived late for the meeting, as they had been drinking at a local pub. McCartney also did not arrive on time because he had just got up and was "taking a bath", as Harrison explained. Epstein was upset, but Harrison placated him by saying, "He may be late, but he'll be very ''clean''."<ref name="FranklyBrian0645">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/mersey/5184.shtml |title=Frankly Speaking: Brian Epstein (time: 06.45) |publisher=BBC |date=23 March 1964 |access-date=2 July 2011}}</ref> Lennon had invited Wooler to be at the meeting so that he could give his opinion of Epstein, but he introduced Wooler by saying, "This is me dad."{{sfn|Spitz|2005|p=272}} Epstein was reticent throughout the short meeting, only asking if they had a manager. After learning that they had not, he said, "It seems to me that with everything going on, someone ought to be looking after you."{{sfn|Spitz|2005|p=273}} He had further meetings with the group on 6 and 10 December 1961.{{sfn|Miles|1998|p=41}}

McCartney, Harrison, and Best were under 21 and therefore needed the consent of their parents to enter into a contract. Best and his mother—[[Mona Best]], owner of [[the Casbah Coffee Club]]—were impressed with Epstein's professional image as were the other Beatles, because he was a businessman, wore expensive suits, and owned a large car. Best's mother said that Epstein "could be good for them [the Beatles]".{{sfn|Spitz|2005|pp=273–274}} McCartney's father was sceptical about a Jewish manager and warned his son to be careful about finances.<ref name="Anthology65">The Beatles et al. (2000) p.&nbsp;65</ref> Lennon's aunt and guardian, [[Mimi Smith]], was against the idea, believing that Epstein would lose interest when something else attracted his attention, but Lennon, who had just turned 21, ignored his aunt's advice.{{sfn|Spitz|2005|p=274}}

The Beatles signed a five-year contract with Epstein on 24 January 1962,{{sfn|Miles|1997|p=88}} giving Epstein 10 to 15 per cent of their income. They signed a new contract in October 1962 which gave Epstein 15, 20, or 25 per cent of revenues, depending on how much he helped the band earn.{{sfn|Blaney|2008|p=36}} The Beatles would then share any income after various expenses had been deducted.{{sfn|Miles|1998|p=41}} Epstein then formed a management company, NEMS Enterprises, telling his parents that managing the group was only a part-time occupation and would not interfere with the family business.<ref name="EpsteinCom"/>

The Beatles signed Epstein's first management contract, but Epstein did not. He later told Taylor, "Well, if they ever want to tear it up, they can hold me but I can't hold them".<ref name="EpsteinCom"/> (English law would have enforced the contract through the doctrine of [[Statute of frauds|part performance]].) The contract stated that Epstein would receive a management commission of 25 per cent of the group's gross income after a certain financial threshold had been reached.{{sfn|Miles|1997|pp=144–145}} The Beatles argued for a smaller percentage, but Epstein pointed out that he had been paying their expenses for months without receiving anything in return.{{sfn|Lennon|2005|p=103}} On 1 October 1962, four days before the release of "[[Love Me Do]]", Epstein signed Lennon and McCartney to a three-year NEMS publishing contract.<ref name="Walton RoadNEMS">{{cite web |url=http://www.beatlemoney.com/epsteinactualcontract.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060830031626/http://www.beatlemoney.com/epsteinactualcontract.htm |archive-date=30 August 2006 |title=Actual Contract |publisher=Beatle Money |access-date=18 April 2008 }}</ref>{{sfn|Perry|2009|p=10}}{{sfn|Lewisohn|2006|p=61}}

In 1963, Epstein advised the creation of [[Northern Songs]], a publishing company that would control the copyrights of all [[Lennon–McCartney]] compositions recorded between 1963 and 1973. Music publisher [[Dick James]] and his partner Charles Silver owned 51 per cent of the company, Lennon and McCartney 20 per cent each, and Epstein 9 per cent.{{sfn|Cross|2004|p=87}} By 1969, Lennon and McCartney had lost control of all publishing rights to [[Sony/ATV Music Publishing|ATV Music Publishing]]. Epstein's death in 1967 marked the beginning of the group's dissolution and had a profound effect on each Beatle.{{sfn|Geller|1999|p=49}}

===The Beatles' appearance on stage===
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Epstein had no prior experience of artist management, yet he had a strong influence on the band's early dress code and stage demeanour.<ref name="EpsteinCom" /> They had previously worn blue jeans and leather jackets, and they would stop and start songs when they felt like it or when an audience member requested a certain song. David Pomerran Szatmary states that when Epstein first saw them at the Cavern Club he thought, "They were a scruffy crowd in leather, and they were not very tidy and not very clean. They smoked as they played and they ate and talked and pretended to hit each other."<ref>{{Cite book|title = Rockin' in Time: a social history of rock-and-roll|last = Szatmary|first = David P.|publisher = Pearson|year = 2014|page = 111}}</ref> Epstein encouraged them to wear suits and ties, insisted that they stop swearing, smoking, drinking, or eating on stage, and also suggested the famous synchronised bow at the end of their performances.{{sfn|Spitz|2005|pp=279–280}} McCartney was the first to agree with Epstein's suggestions, believing that they reflected Epstein's RADA training.{{sfn|Miles|1997|p=96}} Epstein explained that the process from leather jackets and jeans to suits took some time: "I encouraged them, at first, to get out of the leather jackets and jeans, and I wouldn't allow them to appear in jeans after a short time, and then, after that step, I got them to wear sweaters on stage, and then, very reluctantly, eventually, suits."<ref name="FranklyBrian0458">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/mersey/5184.shtml |title=Frankly Speaking: Brian Epstein (time: 04.58) |publisher=BBC |date=23 March 1964 |access-date=2 July 2011}}</ref> Epstein took the group to [[Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|Wirral]] to see his friend, master tailor [[Beno Dorn]],<ref>{{cite book |author=The Beatles |title=The Beatles Anthology |publisher=Chronicle Books |year=2000 |chapter=The Early Years |page=73 |isbn=978-0-8118-2684-6 |quote=We all went quite happily over the water to Wirral, to Beno Dorn, a little tailor who made mohair suits.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Taylor |first=Alistair |title=With the Beatles |publisher=John Blake Publishing |year=2011 |chapter=The Contact |isbn=978-1-85782-692-0}}</ref> who made them their first suits based on a design they had previously seen,<ref>{{cite book |last=Lewisohn |first=Mark |title=Tune in: The Beatles: All These Years |publisher=Crown/Archetype |year=2016 |chapter=Year 5, 1962: Always Be True |page=555 |isbn=978-1-101-90329-2}}</ref> which Epstein approved: "I thought it was an excellent design at the time."<ref name="FranklyBrian0532">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/mersey/5184.shtml |title=Frankly Speaking: Brian Epstein (time: 05.32) |publisher=BBC |date=23 March 1964 |access-date=2 July 2011}}</ref>

Lennon resisted wearing suits and ties, but later said, "I'll wear a suit; I'll wear a bloody balloon if somebody's going to pay me."<ref name="NowhereMan4">{{cite news |first=Glenn |last=Frankel |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/21/AR2007082101714_4.html |title=Nowhere Man (p4) |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=26 August 2007 |access-date=26 May 2011}}</ref> Epstein began seeking publicity by "charming and smarming&nbsp;... the newspaper people", as Lennon said in 1972.<ref name="Anthology66">The Beatles et al. (2000) p.&nbsp;66</ref> According to McCartney, "The gigs went up in stature and though the pay went up only a little bit, it did go up"; they were "now playing better places".<ref name="Anthology67">The Beatles et al. (2000) p.&nbsp;67</ref> The group was now far more organised, having one single diary in which to record bookings, rather than using whoever's diary was at hand.<ref name="Anthology67" /> The group usually called Epstein "Mr. Epstein" or "Brian" in interviews, but in private the group abbreviated his name to "Eppy" or "Bri".{{sfn|Barrow|2006|p=31}}

===Record contract===
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[[File:Beatles Telegram.jpg|thumb|right|270px|The telegram that Epstein sent to ''[[Mersey Beat]]'' newspaper in Liverpool to announce that he had secured the Beatles their first recording contract]]
Starting shortly after he met the Beatles, Epstein made numerous trips to London to visit record companies in the hope of securing a record contract, but many rejected him, including [[Columbia Records|Columbia]], [[Pye Records|Pye]], [[Philips Records|Philips]], [[Oriole Records (UK)|Oriole]], and most notoriously [[Decca Records|Decca]].{{sfn|Miles|1997|p=89}} On 13 December 1961, at Epstein's invitation, Mike Smith of Decca travelled from London to Liverpool to watch the group at the Cavern, which led to an audition in London on 1 January 1962 (see [[The Beatles' Decca audition]]).{{sfn|Miles|1998|p=41}} Decca informed Epstein one month later that the audition tapes had been rejected. The Beatles later found out that Epstein had paid Decca producer [[Tony Meehan]] (ex-drummer of the [[The Shadows|Shadows]]) to produce the studio recordings.{{sfn|Miles|1997|p=89}} While Epstein was negotiating with Decca he also approached Ron White, an EMI marketing executive with whom he had a business relationship. White told Epstein he would play the Beatles' recording of "[[My Bonnie]]" the band made in Germany with [[Tony Sheridan]] for EMI's four A&R directors. However, White only played it for two of them—[[Wally Ridley]] and [[Norman Newell]].{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=507, 527}}

In early February 1962, Epstein visited the [[HMV]] store (owned by EMI) in 363 [[Oxford Street]], London to have the Decca tape transferred to 78 rpm acetates. Jim Foy, a disc-cutter for the [[His Master's Voice (British record label)|His Master's Voice]] label, liked the recordings, suggesting that Epstein should contact Sid Colman, the head of EMI's record publishing division, which controlled the publishing company Ardmore & Beechwood.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=569}} Colman and his colleague Kim Bennett liked the Beatles' recording of "[[Like Dreamers Do]]" and sought to have EMI record [[Lennon–McCartney]] original songs, with Ardmore & Beechwood retaining the publishing rights; they sent Epstein to [[George Martin]], the A&R manager of EMI's Parlophone label.<ref name="hill2007p17">{{harvnb|Hill|2007|p=17}}</ref>{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=570}} Epstein met Martin on 13 February, where he played the acetates of the Decca audition. Epstein left the meeting optimistic, but Martin "wasn't knocked out at all" by the "lousy tape".{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=571}}

Martin later claimed that Epstein's conviction that the Beatles would become internationally famous finally convinced him to offer a recording contract.<ref name="EpsteinCom" /> In fact, however, EMI managing director L. G. ("Len") Wood instructed Martin to sign the Beatles in May 1962, largely to appease the continued interest of Ardmore & Beechwood in Lennon–McCartney song publishing.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=616}} Martin met with Epstein again on 9 May and offered him a standard EMI recording contract for the Beatles to record six "sides" (equivalent to three two-sided single releases) in their first year.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=622}} Upon signing the contract, Epstein immediately sent a telegram to the Beatles (who were in Hamburg) and to the ''Mersey Beat'' music journal in Liverpool.{{sfn|Miles|1997|p=90}}

The recording contract gave the Beatles [[Penny (British pre-decimal coin)|one penny (1d)]] for each record sold, which was split among the four members, meaning that each earned one [[Farthing (British coin)|farthing]] per copy. The royalty rate was further reduced for singles sold outside the UK; the group received half of one penny per single, which was again split amongst the whole group.{{sfn|Brown|Gaines|2002|p=79}} Martin scheduled the first recording session to be on 6 June 1962 at [[Abbey Road Studios]]. Epstein later{{When|date=March 2017}} renegotiated EMI's royalty rate and on 27 January 1967 the Beatles signed a new nine-year contract with EMI. The contract stipulated that 25 per cent would be paid to NEMS for the full nine years even if the Beatles decided not to renew their management contract with Epstein, which was up for renewal later that year.{{sfn|Flippo|1988|p=244}}

===Dismissal of Pete Best===
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By early 1962, the Beatles had played several gigs with [[Ringo Starr]] on occasions when [[Pete Best]] was ill, and they had performed at a recording session with Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison in Hamburg.{{sfn|Miles|1997|p=90}} The Beatles enjoyed Starr's drumming style and social demeanor with the band, whereas Best rarely socialized with the other band members after gigs.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=530}} Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison had also long believed Best to be a stylistically limited drummer.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=375, 407}} McCartney later remarked, "It had got to the stage that Pete was holding us back. What were we gonna do—pretend he was a wonderful drummer?"{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=651}}

After the group's first recording session on 6 June 1962, George Martin felt that using an experienced studio session drummer rather than Best would improve the recording (this was in accordance with normal practice at the time).{{sfn|Miles|1997|p=90}} Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison decided Best needed to be replaced and, uncomfortable with sacking him themselves, asked Epstein to sack Best so that Starr could join the band.<ref name="EpsteinCom" />{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=651}} Epstein was aware the Beatles had discussed replacing Best but hoped it would not happen, as he was not yet fond of Starr.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=651}} Epstein agonised about the decision, asking the Cavern's disc jockey Bob Wooler if it were a good idea. Wooler replied that Best was "very popular with the fans", who would not like it at all.{{sfn|Spitz|2005|p=329}} Despite his reservations, Epstein accepted the Beatles' decision: "They liked Ringo, and I trusted the boys' judgment. If they were happy, so was I."{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=652}}

Epstein's task of sacking Best was complicated by the fact that he was under contract to provide management to all four members of the Beatles. Epstein thus had to secure paid work for Best if he was to leave the group.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=652}} Epstein consulted a lawyer, who informed him that the Beatles could not simply expel Best under the terms of their contract; they could only legally disband and then re-form with Starr.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=652}} Epstein planned to have Best become the drummer for [[the Merseybeats]] as an alternative that would satisfy his commitment to provide Best work.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=672}}

In the meantime, Starr was playing with [[Rory Storm]] and the Hurricanes, the resident group at [[Butlins Skegness|Butlins']] holiday complex in [[Skegness]]. Epstein searched for drummers who could temporarily fill in for Best until Starr was available to join the Beatles, such as [[Joe Brown (singer)|Joe Brown]]'s drummer, Bobby Graham.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=662}} He also offered the position to [[Johnny Hutchinson]] of [[The Big Three (English band)|the Big Three]], a group that Epstein managed at that time as well. Hutchinson turned down the offer, saying, "Pete Best is a very good friend of mine. I couldn't do the dirty on him"—although Hutchinson did play for the Beatles at short notice when Best did not turn up on the evening of his dismissal and for two subsequent bookings, until Starr was able to join.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.triumphpc.com/mersey-beat/a-z/petebest3.shtml |title=Bill Harry on Pete Best's Sacking |publisher=Triumphpc.com |access-date=22 October 2011}}</ref> 

Epstein finally dismissed Best on 16 August, more than two months after the first recording session at EMI Studios. He called Best and [[Neil Aspinall]] to his office on Whitechapel Street, where he informed Best that the Beatles would be replacing him with Starr. When Best asked why, Epstein told him, "Mainly because they think you're not a good enough drummer. And also because at EMI Studios, George Martin said, 'the drummer isn't good enough'."{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=674}}

With the band's lineup now solidified, Epstein had his solicitor draw up a new management contract for the Beatles.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=675}}

===Beatles last official live appearance in the UK===
The Beatles made their last official live appearance in Britain on 1 May 1966, at the NME Annual Poll-Winners' All-Star Concert at the [[Wembley Arena|Empire Pool]], [[Wembley Park]]. Although the concert was televised, the cameras were switched off while the Beatles played, because Epstein and ABC TV had failed to agree over terms. They were filmed receiving their awards, however.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.beatlesbible.com/1966/05/01/the-beatles-final-uk-concert/|title=The Beatles Bible – NME Poll-Winners' show: The Beatles' final UK concert|date=May 1966|access-date=16 August 2016}}</ref>

===After Candlestick Park===
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The Beatles' hectic schedule kept Epstein very busy between 1963 and 1965 with touring plus television and film work. Their last live concert was at [[Candlestick Park]] in San Francisco on 29 August 1966, and Epstein's management duties then changed to reflect the changing nature of their career. He pressured them to continue touring, but they steadfastly refused.{{sfn|Spitz|2005|p=266}}