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Brian Epstein(1934-1967)

  • Additional Crew
  • Producer
  • Actor
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Brian Epstein
Brian Epstein was the original manager and the mastermind behind the success of The Beatles.

He was born Brian Samuel Epstein on September 19, 1934 into a Jewish-English family in Liverpool, UK. Epstein's family owned a store, where Paul McCartney's piano was bought. After three terms Epstein dropped out of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, where he was a classmate of Peter O'Toole. Back in Liverpool he was put in charge of the record sales in his father's stores. He also wrote a regular column in Mersey Beat magazine, which promoted The Beatles.

Epstein's store was just down the street from the Cavern Club, where he went to see a Beatles' performance, after a few customers requested their single at his store. Epstein was treated to a VIP admission and was welcomed in the club's public announcement. He remembered, "I was immediately struck by their music, their beat, and their sense of humor on stage. And, after-wards, when I met them, I was struck again by their personal charm. And it was there that, really, it all started." He also recognized The Beatles' members as regular customers at his NEMS record store.

His diplomatic way of dealing with The Beatles and with their unofficial manager, Allan Williams, resulted in a December 10, 1961, meeting, where it was decided that Epstein would manage the band. A five-year management contract was signed by the four members at then-drummer Pete Best's home on January 24, 1962. Epstein did not put his signature on it, giving the musicians the freedom of choice. At that time McCartney and Harrison were under 21, so the paper wasn't technically legal. None of them realized this and it did not matter to them. What mattered was their genuine trust in Epstein.

Epstein was persistent in trying to sign a record deal for The Beatles, even after being rejected by every major record label in UK, like Columbia, Philips, Oriole, Decca, and Pye. Epstein transferred a demo tape to disc with HMV technician Jim Foy, who liked the song and referred it to Parlophone's George Martin. They passed Martin's audition with the exception of Pete Best. Being asked by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison; Epstein fired Best. Ringo Starr duly became the fourth Beatle.

Having no experience at artist management, Epstein made the right steps by bringing serious improvements to their image. They switched from blue jeans and leather jackets to suits and cleaned up their stage act. He advised them not to smoke or snack in public. Epstein directed the famous synchronized bow at the end of their shows. Overall improvements to The Beatles' image made by Epstein transformed their appearance enough to get them accepted by the mainstream media and public of that time.

Detail-oriented and highly focused on maintaining their clean-cut image, Epstein called them "The Boys" and managed every aspect of their career, their everyday life, concert gigs, and media appearances. His personal friendship with George Martin was also important. By leaving the recording production and the repertoire work mainly in the professional care of Martin, Epstein made himself available for other artist management contracts. He successfully managed Gerry and the Pacemakers, Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas, Cilla Black as well as other artists. His NEMS Enterprises lineup grew to include The Bee Gees, Jimi Hendrix, and Cream.

He was a creative member of The Beatles, a multi-talented man with a good disposition, sharp memory, and an eye for details. A good character reference was given to Epstein by the British Army as "Sober, conscientious, and utterly trustworthy". Though he was dismissed from service for being "incurably civilian". The Army used a different set of criteria than the entertainment industry to judge a person's character. His homosexuality and prescription drug (barbiturate) dependency in those days, with pressures from both social and legal restrictions, caused him additional stress. He died of a drug overdose on August 27, 1967. The Beatles lost their uniting creative manager and soon walked their separate ways.
BornSeptember 19, 1934
DiedAugust 27, 1967(32)
BornSeptember 19, 1934
DiedAugust 27, 1967(32)
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Known for

Les Chadwick, Leslie Maguire, Freddie Marsden, Gerry Marsden, and Julie Samuel in Ferry Cross the Mersey (1964)
Ferry Cross the Mersey
6.7
  • Additional Crew
  • 1964
Cilla Black in Cilla at the Savoy (1966)
Cilla at the Savoy
TV Special
  • Producer
  • 1966
The Beatles in Around the Beatles (1964)
Around the Beatles
8.2
TV Special
  • Additional Crew
  • 1964
Helen Atkinson Wood, Nell Campbell, Simon Hickson, Brian Travers, and Trevor Neal in Juke Box Jury (1959)
Juke Box Jury
7.6
TV Series
  • Self - Panellist

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Additional Crew



  • Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr in The Beatles at Shea Stadium (1966)
    The Beatles at Shea Stadium
    8.2
    TV Movie
    • production associate
    • 1966
  • Les Chadwick, Leslie Maguire, Freddie Marsden, Gerry Marsden, and Julie Samuel in Ferry Cross the Mersey (1964)
    Ferry Cross the Mersey
    6.7
    • presenter
    • 1964
  • The Beatles in Around the Beatles (1964)
    Around the Beatles
    8.2
    TV Special
    • production associate
    • 1964

Producer



  • Cilla Black in Cilla at the Savoy (1966)
    Cilla at the Savoy
    TV Special
    • producer
    • 1966
  • Les Chadwick, Leslie Maguire, Freddie Marsden, Gerry Marsden, and Julie Samuel in Ferry Cross the Mersey (1964)
    Ferry Cross the Mersey
    6.7
    • executive producer
    • 1964

Actor



  • Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and The Beatles in Quatre Garçons dans le vent (1964)
    Quatre Garçons dans le vent
    7.5
    • Man in Crowd (uncredited)
    • 1964

Personal details

Edit
  • Height
    • 1.82 m
  • Born
    • September 19, 1934
    • Liverpool, England, UK
  • Died
    • August 27, 1967
    • London, England, UK(drug overdose)
  • Parents
      Harry Epstein
  • Relatives
      Clive Epstein(Sibling)
  • Other works
    Original manager and mastermind behind the success of The Beatles.
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Biographical Movie
    • 3 Print Biographies
    • 8 Portrayals
    • 3 Articles

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    He formed The Beatles's final lineup and image, thus becoming the original manager of the Beatles as they are known to the world. He fired drummer Pete Best who did not pass the critical audition at Abbey Road Studios.
  • Quotes
    Well, I don't know about the dizzy height, but I always thought they were going to be pretty big.
  • Trademark
      Posh, dapper, well-mannered, with a strong sense of the theatrical
  • Nicknames
    • Eppie
    • The Fifth Beatle

FAQ

Powered by Alexa
  • When did Brian Epstein die?
    August 27, 1967
  • How did Brian Epstein die?
    Drug overdose
  • How old was Brian Epstein when he died?
    32 years old
  • Where did Brian Epstein die?
    London, England, UK
  • When was Brian Epstein born?
    September 19, 1934

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