Brian Epstein

Brian Epstein (born September 19, 1934, Liverpool, England—died August 27, 1967, London) was an English music manager and entrepreneur who discovered the Beatles in the early 1960s, transforming the group from a regional band into one of the world’s most famous music groups. Because of his influential role, Epstein was often referred to as “the fifth Beatle.”

Early life

Epstein’s parents were Jewish and were successful retailers in Liverpool, where they owned and operated a furniture business and a record shop. His family was wealthy and sent him to different boarding schools through his youth, though Epstein ultimately quit school and worked in the family’s furniture shop. In 1952 he was drafted into the Royal Army Service Corps, serving as a clerk; he later was discharged on the recommendation of army psychiatrists. By this point, Epstein was realizing that he was homosexual and struggling with the implications of his sexuality at a time when homosexuality was illegal in the United Kingdom.

In 1956 Epstein returned to school, enrolling in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, where his classmates included multiple students who went on to enjoy successful acting careers, such as Peter O’Toole and Albert Finney. Although Epstein was interested in theater, he dropped out of the prestigious school to pursue a career in business. After he returned to Liverpool, his father put him in charge of the family’s North End Music Store (NEMS). The business became a great success under Epstein’s leadership, and the family soon opened a second store, with Epstein overseeing the NEMS enterprise.

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The Beatles

In 1961, allegedly after a customer requested a single recorded by the Beatles, who had become popular during a stint performing in Hamburg, Epstein went down the street to see the band play a lunchtime show at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. At the time the band’s members were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Pete Best. Epstein was struck by the group’s music and onstage humor. After seeing the Beatles perform, he familiarized himself with the burgeoning rock music scene in Liverpool and became intrigued by the notion of managing a local band.

Seeing their potential, Epstein offered to manage the Beatles, who subsequently agreed to a five-year contract. After failing to secure deals with several record labels, Epstein used his family business contacts to land a recording project for the band with Parlophone, a subsidiary of the recording company EMI. At Parlophone George Martin helped the Beatles hone their sound. One of his first requests was for the band to find a better drummer, leading Epstein to fire Best and replace him with Ringo Starr. This switch solidified the band’s members, who became known as the “Fab Four.”

Although Epstein lacked experience in managing a band, he showed an early flair for marketing. He set out to have the band members clean up their act, at least superficially. He encouraged a change in their stage appearance, moving from leather jackets and jeans to sweaters and eventually suits. He also persuaded them to stop eating, smoking, and swearing during their performances and to adopt their distinctive mop-top haircuts. These changes helped them appeal to a broader swath of fans and media. Shortly thereafter the Beatles landed their first single to hit number one on the U.K. charts, “Please Please Me” (1963).

The Beatles’ growing popularity prompted British reporters to coin the term Beatlemania, in homage to fans’ frenzy for the band. In early 1964, on the eve of their first American tour, Epstein met with TV variety host Ed Sullivan and offered to have the band appear on the show on the condition of being guaranteed top billing. The band’s nationally televised performance on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964 drew some 73 million viewers, opening the door to shows at large venues, including Shea Stadium in New York City. Epstein not only secured huge gigs for the Beatles but also marketed them aggressively, putting their likenesses on products such as clothing, lunch boxes, and posters.

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Death and legacy

Epstein was homosexual, and because homosexuality was illegal in England during his lifetime, he did not make his sexual orientation known to the public. To deal with the exhaustion of constant touring, he began taking stimulants and later became addicted to a sedative-hypnotic drug. He also was concerned, following the band’s final concert appearance in August 1966 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, that his services as manager would no longer be needed. A year later he died of an overdose of sleeping sedatives mixed with alcohol; although the overdose was ruled accidental, some suspected suicide. The Beatles managed themselves in the wake of Epstein’s death, until they disbanded in 1970.

In addition to the Beatles, Epstein managed several other acts, among them Gerry and the Pacemakers, Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas, and Cilla Black. In 2014 Epstein was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—one of the first two managers to receive that honor.