Brian Epstein facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brian Epstein
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Brian Epstein, 1965
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Brian Samuel Epstein |
| Born | 19 September 1934 |
| Origin | Liverpool, England, UK |
| Died | 27 August 1967 (aged 32) London, England, UK |
| Occupation(s) | Personal manager, impresario |
| Years active | 1961—1967 |
| Associated acts | The Beatles, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas, The Fourmost, and Cilla Black |
Brian Samuel Epstein (born September 19, 1934 – died August 27, 1967) was an English businessman. He is best known as the manager of The Beatles. Under his guidance, The Beatles became the most famous rock band in the world during the 1960s.
Contents
Brian Epstein's Early Life
Brian Epstein was born in Liverpool, England, on September 19, 1934. His parents were Harry and Queenie Epstein. Brian had a younger brother named Clive. During World War II, his family moved to Southport. Brian was sometimes expelled from school for not working hard. In 1945, his family moved back to Liverpool.
Brian's parents sent him to different boarding schools. He spent two years at Wrekin College where he learned to play the violin. Brian loved the arts, especially theatre. It was his favorite subject in school. As a child, he enjoyed reading The Swish of the Curtain.
When he was almost 16, Brian told his father he wanted to be a dress designer. However, his father did not agree. Brian then started working at his family's furniture shop.
In 1952, Brian was called to do his national service in the army. He worked as a data entry clerk in London. This allowed him to explore the city's cultural side for the first time.
From Acting to Music Stores
Brian first wanted to become an actor. He studied at RADA (the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art). Famous actors like Peter O'Toole and Susannah York were also there. But Brian was not happy with acting school. He decided to leave and work in his family's furniture stores in Liverpool.
Brian was a very good salesman. He also loved classical music. His family decided to open a record department in one of their stores. Brian was put in charge of this new section. It was so successful that they opened a whole new store just for music and records. This store was called NEMS, which stood for North End Music Stores. Brian became its manager.
Popular music, especially rock and roll, sold very well. Brian wanted to sell what people wanted to buy. He started stocking rock and roll records. Customers from all over England liked Brian and his store. Some customers were members of local bands. They often visited NEMS to find new music. Among these customers were the early members of The Beatles.
Brian Epstein was Jewish.
Managing The Beatles
In late 1961, a fan asked Brian about a record The Beatles had made in Germany. Brian could not find it through his usual suppliers. He soon learned that the band was playing at The Cavern Club nearby. Brian went to see them perform and was very impressed.
He found out that The Beatles did not have a manager. But they wanted one, and their main goal was to get a recording contract in England. Brian decided to become their manager.
Brian used his sales skills to get the band more and better jobs playing music. He also used his position as manager of a leading music store to contact different record labels. He hoped to get The Beatles signed to a label.
Getting a Record Deal
The Beatles had an audition with Decca Records on New Year's Day 1962. It seemed promising, but Decca decided not to sign the band. Most other labels Brian contacted also turned them down.
Decca gave Brian a copy of the band's demo tape. Brian used it to promote them, but still, no one was interested. He thought an actual record might work better than a tape. So, he had a test record made. The recording engineer who made the record told Brian about George Martin. Martin worked for EMI's Parlophone Records and was looking for a rock band to record.
George Martin liked what he heard enough to offer The Beatles another audition. The band passed their EMI audition as a group. They signed a contract with Parlophone. However, drummer Pete Best did not meet Martin's standards. Martin planned to use a studio drummer for their records. When the band found out, they asked Brian to fire Best. They then replaced him with Ringo Starr, who left another band to join The Beatles.
Success and Other Artists
Over the next year, in 1963, The Beatles became the most popular band in Britain and Europe. Then, in 1964, they became hugely popular in America. After their success, Brian Epstein signed other bands and singers. These included Gerry and the Pacemakers, Cilla Black, Billy J. Kramer, and the Remo Four. All of them found success and had hit records. However, none became as famous as The Beatles.
Brian started a management company called NEMS Enterprises. It was named after his music store. Later, NEMS Enterprises also signed artists like the Bee Gees, Jimi Hendrix, and Cream.
Brian Epstein also had fans, just like pop stars. He gave out signed photographs of himself. In 1964, he published his autobiography (his life story). He got help from Derek Taylor, who was The Beatles' press agent. Brian was still interested in theater. He bought the Saville Theatre in London, which showed plays and rock concerts.
Brian Epstein's Death
Brian Epstein died in his sleep on August 27, 1967. He was only 32 years old.
The Beatles and all the artists he managed were very sad about his death. Many people later said that losing Brian was the beginning of The Beatles' breakup. The band officially broke up in 1970.
Brian Epstein's Legacy
Brian Epstein was disappointed that he was not honored with MBE awards in 1965. The Beatles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr) received them. George Harrison once joked that MBE stood for "Mister Brian Epstein."
The Beatles were among the first groups to enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, Brian Epstein was not included in the Hall's "Non-Performers' Section" until 2014. Martin Lewis, who was once Derek Taylor's assistant, created an official website for Brian Epstein. This website included a petition to get Epstein into the Hall of Fame. Lewis also helped republish Epstein's 1964 autobiography, A Cellarful of Noise, in the United States in 1998.
Paul McCartney explained Brian's importance in a 1997 BBC documentary about Epstein. McCartney said, "If anyone was the Fifth Beatle, it was Brian." In a 1970 interview, John Lennon said that Brian's death was the beginning of the end for the group. He commented, "I knew that we were in trouble then... I thought, 'We've [...] had it now.'"
On August 27, 2022, which was 55 years after his death, a bronze statue of Brian Epstein was revealed. It is located near where his family's NEMS record shop used to be in Liverpool. One of the sculptors, Jane Robbins, is a cousin of Paul McCartney.
Images for kids
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Epstein hosting the teen music program Hullabaloo, January 8, 1965.
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The Daily Mirror headline: "EPSTEIN (The Beatle-Making Prince of Pop) DIES AT 32".
See also
In Spanish: Brian Epstein para niños
