How did Brian Epstein become The Beatles manager
"I heard about them through a lad who was asking for a record by them in one of my stores, or my family’s stores in October 1961," Brian Epstein, 1964
Always diligent, Brian Epstein tracked down the record My Bonnie by Tony Sheridan and The Beatles, recorded in Hamburg. Staff informed him The Beatles, he learned were a local band who regularly played in a local club, close to the shop. Epstein decided to check them out
Brian Epstein first saw The Beatles at the Cavern on November 9, 1961. He came backstage and then attended more gigs over the next few weeks. Then he told his brother he wanted to manage them.
It was an extraordinary decision but Epstein's CV had followed an unusual trajectory. Before agreeing to manage the family business he had trained as an actor at RADA and his musical preferences were classical.
Epstein was also homosexual at a time when it was still illegal. This was not uncommon in the entertainment business but Brian appeared to court danger by having liaisons with 'rough trade'. He had also been the victim of a police sting.
The Beatles, for their part, were impressed by Bryan's general poshness and savoir fair. They were unconcerned about his sexuality and noted his obvious integrity. Brian. As George points out, the benefits of having him as a manager were obvious from the start.
Characteristically, Brian agonized before committing himself. He contacted their previous manager, Alan Williams to confirm that they were free agents. Williams confirmed this but advised Epstein "not to touch them with a fucking barge pole" claiming they had refused to pay him an agreed concert percentage for the earnings from a concert in Hamburg
Now a little wary, Epstein still went ahead with a meeting at his office arranged for afternoon of 3rd December 1961 at 4.30. To his fury all four of the (then) Beatles were late.
John, Paul, George and Pete
He claimed to have only learned about them after A meeting was arranged for December 10. Paul