Remembering Brian Epstein

REMEMBERING BRIAN EPSTEIN,

50 YEARS AFTER THE DEATH OF THE BEATLES’ MANAGER

The Beatles Story in Liverpool has launched a new exhibit, to honour the life and achievements of Brian Epstein, 50 years after the untimely death of The Beatles’ manager.

On Sunday 29th June, the Heritage Foundation honoured Brian Epstein with the unveiling of a blue plaque at Epstein’s former offices at Sutherland House, Argyll Street, Soho. His company NEMS occupied offices in Sutherland House, adjacent to the London Palladium, from the height of Beatlemania in 1964 until shortly after Epstein’s death in 1967.

epstein3 — Brian Epstein and The Beatles

Brian Samuel Epstein passed away on 27th August 1967 during the height of the Summer of Love, at the age of 32. The Beatles were in Bangor, North Wales with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi when they received the news. Brian will be remembered for introducing The Beatles to a global audience and helping them to spread their message of love around the world.

brianepstein1 — The Wool & Cashmere Coat

Going onto permanent display is Brian Epstein’s original wool and cashmere coat, a set of handwritten lyrics by Brian (which were never used by The Beatles), a fragment of original note paper, press cuttings and a draft letter from Brian to The Beatles circa March 1967.

“Brian was a strict business man who first got involved with The Beatles when he was running NEMS in Liverpool city centre. He truly loved The Beatles, and he demonstrated that by doing everything he could for them.

“It’s wonderful to see Brian’s jacket on display at The Beatles Story, he was always dressed so smartly, and was so visual and bright. I was always proud to be his friend and I’m still very proud to say I was his friend.”

Joe Flannery, booking officer for The Beatles and lifelong friend of Brian Epstein

The items will be exhibited within a newly refurbished NEMS area of the main exhibition at the Albert Dock. The room itself is a tribute to the Epstein family business, North End Music Stores, which Brian successfully managed during the 1950s.

The Liverpudlian entrepreneur first discovered The Beatles in November 1961 during a lunchtime performance at The Cavern Club. The group signed a management contract with Brian shortly afterwards, and he eventually got them signed to record with EMI. In addition to handling the Beatles’ business affairs, Epstein would often step in to mediate their personal disputes and is arguably the closest claimant for the title of ‘The Fifth Beatle’ other than George Martin, Pete Best or Stuart Sutcliffe!

“Brian was a great man, without his belief and enthusiasm there may not be a Beatles Story to tell. He had a style and sartorial elegance throughout his life, and it is fitting that we display some of his clothing that had him voted “Britain’s best dressed man under 30”. We pay honour to his legacy.”

Martin King of The Beatles Story