FEATURE:
I Saw Them Standing There
IN THIS PHOTO: The Beatles (George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Pete Best (who was replaced by Ringo Starr in 1962) and John Lennon at The Cavern Club, Liverpool in 1961
When Brian Epstein Met The Beatles
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I found an interesting article…
IN THIS PHOTO: The Beatles on 17th December, 1961 at their first photoshoot
that was published by The Beatles Daily website in 2018. It marked the first time Brian Epstein – who would soon become The Beatles’ manager – witnessed the aspiring and fascinating group for the first time. On 9th November, 1961, he had his eyes opened to a young, at that time, leather-clad group who would change the world soon enough. It is sixty years next month since Epstein and The Beatles were in The Cavern Club and a spark occurred. The article discusses how Epstein’s curiosity about The Beatles had grown prior to him seeing them at The Cavern:
“NOVEMBER 9, 1961 – Future band manager Brian Epstein saw The Beatles playing live for the first time during a lunchtime session at The Cavern Club in Liverpool.
Having seeing their name several times in Mersey Beat magazine, and on posters around Liverpool, Brian Epstein had become curious about The Beatles. He realized there was a buzz around the young group after a customer named Raymond Jones entered Epstein’s NEMS shop and asked for a copy of the My Bonnie single, recently recorded in Hamburg.
Epstein’s assistant Alistair Taylor later claimed that he had made up the name while ordering copies of the single for NEMS, after hearing requests from fans. Taylor’s tale was a fabrication, however, and Jones was indeed a genuine customer.
Epstein had grown curious about the group after hearing the mention of their name in several places, and Mersey Beat’s Bill Harry arranged for him and Taylor to see them perform in Liverpool.
Epstein learnt that The Beatles were playing close to his shop in Whitechapel. He was intrigued to see what they were like and he phoned Bill Harry at Mersey Beat and asked him to smooth his entrance into the Cavern. Bill arranged this with Ray McFall and with Paddy Delaney on the door.
Liverpool architect David Blackhouse recalled the occasion “I was there when Brian Epstein came to the Cavern. He was a beautifully-suited, elegant man and he looked totally incongruous. I knew who he was, although I had never spoken to him.”
The Beatles performed a lunchtime concert at the Cavern Club. Epstein and Taylor were allowed in without queuing. Epstein was welcomed over the club’s PA system by resident DJ Bob Wooler who remembered “Brian took his PA, Alistair Taylor, along for support and they stood at the back of the crowd and heard John, Paul, George and Pete on stage, although they can’t have seen much. Nevertheless, Brian was bowled over by them. It was fortunate that Brian saw a good performance when he came down to the Cavern that lunchtime. He also liked how they behaved, and he found them very animalistic. They were unkempt, they didn’t comb their hair – and, most importantly, they were lithe and physically attractive.”
Epstein later recounted in his autobiography, ghost written by Derek Taylor, his first thoughts on seeing the group perform. “I was immediately struck by their music, their beat, and their sense of humour on stage – and, even afterwards, when I met them, I was struck again by their personal charm. And it was there that, really, it all started.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Mirrorpix
Epstein and Taylor entered the band’s dressing room, described by Epstein “as big as a broom cupboard” after the show. The Beatles recognized Epstein, with George Harrison opening the conversation by asking: “And what brings Mr Epstein here?”
Witness Paddy Delaney recalled: Epstein was well-groomed in a smart, dark suit and he looked out of place. When it was all over, he was still hanging about, so I approached him and said, ‘It’s all over now, sir.’ He said, ‘It’s all right, I’m going to meet The Beatles.'”
Ray Ennis, singer, Swinging Blue Jeans singer Ray Ennis was also at the afternoon show: “I’d met Brian Epstein before and I asked him what he was doing in the Cavern. He said, ‘I’ve come to watch The Beatles. I believe they are very good.’ He didn’t say anything about signing them.”
Epstein watched The Beatles at the Cavern Club a number of times over the next few weeks. On December 10th he suggested becoming the band’s manager. They signed a five-year management contract on January 24, 1962.
On the evening of November 9th, after their first meeting, The Beatles performed for the final time at Liverpool’s slightly down-at-heel Litherland Town Hall ballroom. They performed a total of 20 shows there, the first of which was a triumphant appearance on December 27, 1960, following their first trip to Hamburg”.
It is interesting that Epstein’s first saw The Beatles prior to Ringo Starr joining the band. One can only imagine how impressed he would have been if the classic line-up was together at this point! In any case, Epstein was hooked and saw something in the band. I have spoken about Brian Epstein before being this hugely important figure who helped turn The Beatles into what they would become. The success they would find and the sound they would hone. Although George Martin, as their producer, helped make their albums as wonderful as possible, it was Epstein’s instinct and business mind that was another key factor behind The Beatles’ rise and success. It is amazing to think that, almost sixty years ago, he caught they play a lunchtime show. Such a modest (yet iconic) setting! I have been thinking about The Beatles, as there is a lot of promotion and talk around the release of the Peter Jackson documentary, The Beatles: Get Back. That is out on 25th November on Disney+ A book tied to the documentary was released on 12th October. It has photos and fascinating insight into the recording of The Beatles' 1970 album, Let It Be (which had the working title of Get Back). The documentary will redress misconceptions about that recording. Many feel the band were falling apart and arguing all of the time. Conversely, there was a lot of bonding and laughter. It has made me think back to the start and those early Cavern performances in 1961 (when things were getting started and everything lay ahead). Before Ringo Starr joined The Beatles and history would be made, Brian Epstein saw the band at a comparatively intimate set. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall in November 1961 when Epstein caught The Beatles and he…
IN THIS PHOTO: The Beatles with Brian Epstein at London Airport on 22nd September, 1964, after a tour of the United States and Canada/PHOTO CREDIT: Keystone/Getty Images
WITNESSED a magical moment.