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A Cellarful of Noise: The Autobiography of the Man Who Made the Beatles With a New Companion Narrative
From his first encounter with the struggling group in 1961, through their meteoric rise, to his tragic, untimely death in 1967, Brian Epstein was in many ways the heart and soul of the Beatles. Much more than simply their manager, confidant, and group guru, Epstein helped create a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon.
A Cellarful of Noise, Epstein's long out-of-print autobiography, gives readers the inside story of his discovery and management of the world's most famous rock 'n' roll band. From their initial struggles to their wild rocket ride to the pinnacle of success, this true story includes
How a request for a record led to the discovery of the Beatles; Why Ringo Starr replaced the original Beatle drummer; How Paul McCartney was nearly blinded by a fan; and hundreds of other fascinating little-known facts of Epstein's life with the Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and other top stars.This new edition of A Cellarful of Noise features an introduction by world-renowned Beatles expert Martin Lewis, which, along with Epstein's own words, creates a compelling insightful exploration of the life and times of a gifted man who had an ear for genius.
217 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1964
About the author
Brian Epstein
10 books2 followersBrian Samuel Epstein (/ˈɛpstaɪn/) was an English music entrepreneur who managed the Beatles from 1962 until his death. He was referred to as the "Fifth Beatle" due to his role in the group's business affairs, image and rise to global fame.
Epstein was born into a family of successful retailers in Liverpool, who put him in charge of their music shop, where he displayed a gift for talent-spotting. He first met the Beatles in 1961 at a lunchtime concert at Liverpool's Cavern Club. Although he had no experience of artist management, Epstein put them under contract and insisted that they abandon their scruff-image in favour of a new clean-cut style, with identical suits and haircuts. He then persuaded George Martin of EMI group to produce their records.
Within months, the Beatles were international stars. Epstein accompanied them to America, where he was besieged by merchandising offers, but had signed away 90 percent of the rights in advance. This is viewed as his one miscalculation. Some of Epstein's other young discoveries had also prospered under his management. They included Gerry and the Pacemakers, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, Tommy Quickly, and Cilla Black. In 1967, he died of a drug overdose, ruled as accidental, at the age of 32.
Epstein was born into a family of successful retailers in Liverpool, who put him in charge of their music shop, where he displayed a gift for talent-spotting. He first met the Beatles in 1961 at a lunchtime concert at Liverpool's Cavern Club. Although he had no experience of artist management, Epstein put them under contract and insisted that they abandon their scruff-image in favour of a new clean-cut style, with identical suits and haircuts. He then persuaded George Martin of EMI group to produce their records.
Within months, the Beatles were international stars. Epstein accompanied them to America, where he was besieged by merchandising offers, but had signed away 90 percent of the rights in advance. This is viewed as his one miscalculation. Some of Epstein's other young discoveries had also prospered under his management. They included Gerry and the Pacemakers, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, Tommy Quickly, and Cilla Black. In 1967, he died of a drug overdose, ruled as accidental, at the age of 32.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 1, 2017
I dare you to read this without constantly hearing every word spoken in Epstein's voice inside your head.
July 31, 2020
Straight from the Horses Mouth
Starting this book I had wondered what made Epstein write a bio in 1964 at such a young age, and just as The Beatles were properly getting going. Considering his fate come 1967, it was lucky he got his version of events down when he did, but as it transpires it was likely he was trying to combat his reputation in the industry for being so aloof.
And he certainly does. This book is a concise look behind the curtain at the workings of one of the most successful band managers of all time. He’s happy to tell his audience that he charged his acts a lofty 25% of their earnings, as well as telling us The Beatles were paid just $10k for their performance on the Ed Sullivan shows. When it easily could have been seven times that. (It’s still the most watched show of all time.)
There is very little about his personal life. Save for his hilarious misadventures when called up for national service (he was eventually discharged being told he was a ‘compulsive civilian’!), and that can be put down to his fears of exposing his homosexuality, at a time when it was still illegal.
Epstein may have stumbled across his role as manager of the world’s most successful act ever, but just like producer George Martin, his role in creating that success was intrinsic.
Starting this book I had wondered what made Epstein write a bio in 1964 at such a young age, and just as The Beatles were properly getting going. Considering his fate come 1967, it was lucky he got his version of events down when he did, but as it transpires it was likely he was trying to combat his reputation in the industry for being so aloof.
And he certainly does. This book is a concise look behind the curtain at the workings of one of the most successful band managers of all time. He’s happy to tell his audience that he charged his acts a lofty 25% of their earnings, as well as telling us The Beatles were paid just $10k for their performance on the Ed Sullivan shows. When it easily could have been seven times that. (It’s still the most watched show of all time.)
There is very little about his personal life. Save for his hilarious misadventures when called up for national service (he was eventually discharged being told he was a ‘compulsive civilian’!), and that can be put down to his fears of exposing his homosexuality, at a time when it was still illegal.
Epstein may have stumbled across his role as manager of the world’s most successful act ever, but just like producer George Martin, his role in creating that success was intrinsic.
April 8, 2015
While I am a massive Beatles fan, I am not the type who buys every book about them. In fact, I buy very few. There are so many now that you could probably build a house out of Beatles books without ever having to double-up on a title. I’m certain that some of them have been written just by taking an average of existing books and no-one has really noticed.
However, when I saw from an Amazon email (well played!) that The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein’s memoir, A Cellarful of Noise was available for Kindle, I was immediately interested. Although a short volume, it deserves to stand out from the mountain of other Beatles books because it was written by someone who was there at the time it was happening. Therefore, it’s not built on decades of received wisdom.
It was written in 1964 – a time when anyone would have said that The Beatles had peaked, little knowing they were still on the ascendancy. Epstein writes in an entertaining, conversational manner, avoiding all trace of self-indulgence. Although the book is not merely about his association with The Beatles, he is enough of a professional to know that there’s really only one reason anybody would be interested in reading it. The book therefore opens with The Beatles’ triumphant first tour of the US, before a couple of short chapters on the author’s childhood and upbringing, but he quickly comes back to the topic he knows his audience is most interested in.
Epstein was probably the last honest man in the music business, if not the first. There is hardly a trace of cynicism and one comes away completely convinced that he only had any association with his clients because he completely believed in them as artistes. He also writes with wit and charm. If you told someone that certain passages were written by Stephen Fry, they would probably believe you.
However, when I saw from an Amazon email (well played!) that The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein’s memoir, A Cellarful of Noise was available for Kindle, I was immediately interested. Although a short volume, it deserves to stand out from the mountain of other Beatles books because it was written by someone who was there at the time it was happening. Therefore, it’s not built on decades of received wisdom.
It was written in 1964 – a time when anyone would have said that The Beatles had peaked, little knowing they were still on the ascendancy. Epstein writes in an entertaining, conversational manner, avoiding all trace of self-indulgence. Although the book is not merely about his association with The Beatles, he is enough of a professional to know that there’s really only one reason anybody would be interested in reading it. The book therefore opens with The Beatles’ triumphant first tour of the US, before a couple of short chapters on the author’s childhood and upbringing, but he quickly comes back to the topic he knows his audience is most interested in.
Epstein was probably the last honest man in the music business, if not the first. There is hardly a trace of cynicism and one comes away completely convinced that he only had any association with his clients because he completely believed in them as artistes. He also writes with wit and charm. If you told someone that certain passages were written by Stephen Fry, they would probably believe you.
January 18, 2018
I especially liked the chapter called 'tomorrow' about the Beatles future. Brian is going to push them to do more films:). I also like this quote "...when the mods and the rockers battled it out on the beaches of South-east England". Maybe this should have been a Beatles movie??? But this is my fav quote: " Happy and gay though they are, teenagers milling in the thousands around town halls and hotels and theaters would kill the Beatles if they got their hands on them." Oh Brian, if you only knew...
May 21, 2018
a unique portrait of 1964 from Eppy's perspective-- fascinating. I loved reading this beautiful 1st edition copy that my husband got for me. I want to read more about Brian's life. I also really loved The Fifth Beatle graphic novel, which is soon going to be made into a film.
November 9, 2016
I re-read this because I couldn't really remember having read it before. I can see why. Brian Epstein's story has been told so many times (and better) that his rather slight account gets lost in the shuffle. His boyish enthusiasm, charm and ideals come shining through but anyone who knows about his "secret" life will find it all a bit too fantastic. The book was obviously written for some quick cash and to further promote his stable of talent. Still, it is a first person narrative of a time and place I find fascinating so I can't completely dismiss it.
January 17, 2020
I am a huge fan of music biographies and memoirs, and seeing as there are so many out there, I try to pick the ones with the most substance - up-close and personal, behind-the-scenes accounts of those who were actually there. I thought that this book was going to be just that, and I was a bit disappointed at how shallow and surface-level Epstein's book really was. This did not ruin the book for me, but I would have loved a deeper look into Epstein's and the Beatles' lives.
I loved reading Epstein's voice come out in his writing; he is not overly humble, nor overly proud. He simply tells it like it is. It was also interesting to read a piece written in the midst of the Beatles' success, rather than as a retrospective written years later. I particularly enjoyed the last chapter, in which Epstein (who died before he could see the last three years of the Beatles' career) speculated on the future of his life as a music manager.
Overall, A Cellarful of Noise was a bit simplistic and superficial, but nonetheless entertaining.
I loved reading Epstein's voice come out in his writing; he is not overly humble, nor overly proud. He simply tells it like it is. It was also interesting to read a piece written in the midst of the Beatles' success, rather than as a retrospective written years later. I particularly enjoyed the last chapter, in which Epstein (who died before he could see the last three years of the Beatles' career) speculated on the future of his life as a music manager.
Overall, A Cellarful of Noise was a bit simplistic and superficial, but nonetheless entertaining.
September 16, 2022
This is an intriguing (but guarded) view from the trenches of Beatlemania from their erstwhile manager Brian Epstein, written in 1964 when they were still quite early on in their careers, and yet already an exhausted household name. It’s peppered with amusing (but probably well known) anecdotes and insights, such as little fallings-out between Brian and different band members. Even without his looking for it, you can detect a certain reluctance of Paul’s to be managed. Added up, not a lot is really said about the Beatles or the music they produced, but then again it’s not really about them.
The main takeaway from Brian’s story, which is ultimately one of not knowing where he belonged until he happened along the Cavern one night, is never knowing what would have happened if he hadn’t died so young. Would he have fallen out with the band altogether some day, or would they have outgrown him? Would the music, and the story, play out anything like it did if he’d stayed with us? It’s difficult not to contemplate as you read Brian’s cheery and certain assessments of the band’s status - and that of his other artistes, most of whom did not succeed in the same way. There’s a sense of polite PR about much of his writing here, but there are shards of honest uncertainty peeking through as well. Again though, maybe this is just a case of looking for something like that when inevitably reading the book in a post-Brian world.
It’s interesting, then, but too brief. Which is sort of sadly apt.
The main takeaway from Brian’s story, which is ultimately one of not knowing where he belonged until he happened along the Cavern one night, is never knowing what would have happened if he hadn’t died so young. Would he have fallen out with the band altogether some day, or would they have outgrown him? Would the music, and the story, play out anything like it did if he’d stayed with us? It’s difficult not to contemplate as you read Brian’s cheery and certain assessments of the band’s status - and that of his other artistes, most of whom did not succeed in the same way. There’s a sense of polite PR about much of his writing here, but there are shards of honest uncertainty peeking through as well. Again though, maybe this is just a case of looking for something like that when inevitably reading the book in a post-Brian world.
It’s interesting, then, but too brief. Which is sort of sadly apt.
December 18, 2023
Felt like a cash grab memoir- all over the place and a little delusional… but it’s Brian Epstein so I won’t go below 3 stars
August 19, 2020
We are lucky to have an interesting and important angle on the Beatles by their manager, Brian Epstein -- especially considering his untimely death. If I were still an English teacher, I would use this book to teach memoir and characterization. There are many lessons about business, creativity, music, individuality, cooperation, success, social acceptance, bullying and fame. There is much to learn in spite of the fact that Epstein sugar coats the Beatles' drug use. He avoids any confession about his sexuality, but hints at problems associated with it, which makes this a good book about discussing sexuality -- how it was dealt with in the 50s and now. Epstein's writing is light, funny, evocative and interesting.
June 1, 2014
Written in the summer of 1964. Certainly a different perspective.
January 19, 2022
Brian Epstein wrote this book in 1964, just as The Beatles were conquering America. One could wonder why he wrote his memoirs at the tender age of thirty, or one could thank him for doing so. This is how he discovered the band that changed music - and the world - in his own words.
The book goes at a breakneck speed, but is nevertheless hugely enjoyable and easy to read. It is just under 150 pages, so it doesn't take long to get through at all.
It is obvious that Brian Epstein loved The Beatles, and I would say that rather than being his memoir, it is the story of how he - like the rest of the world - fell in love with the four Mop Tops.
Whilst the early chapters and the last few chapters focus partly on Epstein's early life and other artistes, respectively, it is clear who he adores the most. It is quite a personal memoir, though not as true to real life as I would have liked; in one place, Epstein writes of a girlfriend he lost - Rita Harris - this Rita Harris was actually a boyfriend, and went by a different name. It is a shame that the famous Eppy (as dubbed by the Fab Four) never felt like he could openly acknowledge and accept his homosexuality, and this is simmering below the surface throughout the book.
It is absolutely the closest to the truth that we may ever get, short of either Paul McCartney or Ringo Starr - as they are the only two left - writing their own story.
The book goes at a breakneck speed, but is nevertheless hugely enjoyable and easy to read. It is just under 150 pages, so it doesn't take long to get through at all.
It is obvious that Brian Epstein loved The Beatles, and I would say that rather than being his memoir, it is the story of how he - like the rest of the world - fell in love with the four Mop Tops.
Whilst the early chapters and the last few chapters focus partly on Epstein's early life and other artistes, respectively, it is clear who he adores the most. It is quite a personal memoir, though not as true to real life as I would have liked; in one place, Epstein writes of a girlfriend he lost - Rita Harris - this Rita Harris was actually a boyfriend, and went by a different name. It is a shame that the famous Eppy (as dubbed by the Fab Four) never felt like he could openly acknowledge and accept his homosexuality, and this is simmering below the surface throughout the book.
It is absolutely the closest to the truth that we may ever get, short of either Paul McCartney or Ringo Starr - as they are the only two left - writing their own story.
January 1, 2021
In A Cellarful of Noise, published in 1964, Beatles manager Brian Epstein offers his personal take on the Fab Four’s beginnings and the overwhelming phenomenon of Beatlemania. The book is also a bit of a memoir, reflecting on Epstein’s early life and the series of events that led him to the Beatles and caused their paths to converge.
I picked this up hoping for some in-depth description of the early Beatles playing the Cavern in Liverpool in the early 1960s. The book offers about two paragraphs of that. Instead, it’s more of a mix of Epstein bio, Tiger Beat boy-band profile, and in-the-weeds discussion of the day-to-day management of Epstein’s entire stable of recording artists.
With the addition of hindsight, A Cellarful of Noise is also just about the saddest book I’ve ever read. Here’s a closeted gay man writing about how he has never fit in or been especially liked, lamenting being ridiculed out of his dream of becoming a dress designer, glossing over the real reasons why the army and drama school didn’t work out for him, and visibly buckling under the strain of managing the most successful band in the world. And three short years later, he would be dead of a drug overdose.
I’ve read some older books that feel dated for a variety of reasons, but never one that felt complicated in this particular way.
I picked this up hoping for some in-depth description of the early Beatles playing the Cavern in Liverpool in the early 1960s. The book offers about two paragraphs of that. Instead, it’s more of a mix of Epstein bio, Tiger Beat boy-band profile, and in-the-weeds discussion of the day-to-day management of Epstein’s entire stable of recording artists.
With the addition of hindsight, A Cellarful of Noise is also just about the saddest book I’ve ever read. Here’s a closeted gay man writing about how he has never fit in or been especially liked, lamenting being ridiculed out of his dream of becoming a dress designer, glossing over the real reasons why the army and drama school didn’t work out for him, and visibly buckling under the strain of managing the most successful band in the world. And three short years later, he would be dead of a drug overdose.
I’ve read some older books that feel dated for a variety of reasons, but never one that felt complicated in this particular way.
September 9, 2023
Kirjana ei kovinkaan hyvä, mutta onhan tällä monenlaista kuriositeettiarvoa. Alun perin kirjoitettu ja julkaistu keskellä pahinta beatlemaniaa, joten haiskahtaa kiireellä ja köykäisesti tehdyltä. Sivuja ei ole kovin paljon ja siihenkin mahtuu toistoa. Monessa kohdassa Epstein tuntuu kirjoittavan vastinetta esitettyihin syytöksiin, eli kirja on selkeästi tarkoitettu ajankohtaiseksi puheenvuoroksi, ei yli puoli vuosisataa myöhemmin luettavaksi. Mutta siinä juuri onkin oma aikakapselimainen viehätyksensä.
Epsteinin oman koulu- ja työhistorian lisäksi myös Beatlesin syntytarina kerrotaan, ja jonkin verran sivuja käytetään myös muiden Epsteinin manageroimien artistien esittelyyn. Alkuperäisessä teoksen pääotsikossa Beatlesia ei mainita, suomennokseen se on survottu, ei kovinkaan tyylikkäästi. Mutta sikäli perusteltu ratkaisu, että Beatlesistahan tässä kirjassa lähinnä on kyse.
Managerin luotettavuus manageroitaviensa luonnehdinnoissa on tietenkin myös kyseenalaista. Jokseenkin vilpittömän tuntuisesti Epstein kyllä kertoo myös hankaluuksista ja ristiriidoistaan artistiensa välillä.
Olisi mukava vilkaista alkukielistä teosta, että onko siinäkin sana "artisti" kirjoitettu kursiivilla. En keksi mitään muuta syytä, miksi suomennoksessa on näin. Enkä kyllä toisaalta ymmärrä sitäkään, miksi se olisi alkukielisessä niin.
Epsteinin oman koulu- ja työhistorian lisäksi myös Beatlesin syntytarina kerrotaan, ja jonkin verran sivuja käytetään myös muiden Epsteinin manageroimien artistien esittelyyn. Alkuperäisessä teoksen pääotsikossa Beatlesia ei mainita, suomennokseen se on survottu, ei kovinkaan tyylikkäästi. Mutta sikäli perusteltu ratkaisu, että Beatlesistahan tässä kirjassa lähinnä on kyse.
Managerin luotettavuus manageroitaviensa luonnehdinnoissa on tietenkin myös kyseenalaista. Jokseenkin vilpittömän tuntuisesti Epstein kyllä kertoo myös hankaluuksista ja ristiriidoistaan artistiensa välillä.
Olisi mukava vilkaista alkukielistä teosta, että onko siinäkin sana "artisti" kirjoitettu kursiivilla. En keksi mitään muuta syytä, miksi suomennoksessa on näin. Enkä kyllä toisaalta ymmärrä sitäkään, miksi se olisi alkukielisessä niin.
January 20, 2018
I got really excited about this because this is the autobiography of Brian Epstein, the manager of The Beatles. He wrote this when The Beatles were just about getting into the height of their fame, three years before he died, and it’s an interesting insight into his mind and into how he got to where he got to.
Unfortunately, it’s fairly insubstantial, less like an autobiography and more like a series of blog posts, although Epstein died back in the sixties and so I guess that makes him ahead of his time. But this doesn’t really go into the kind of detail that I was hoping for, and it reads more like a collection of anecdotes than anything else. It still has a certain amount of historical significance, of course, but equally it wasn’t anywhere near as good as I was expecting.
If you’re a big Beatles fan then go ahead and grab yourself a copy of this if you can find one for a reasonable price. From what I’ve seen, copies of this book are pretty hard to find, which is a shame, I guess. People have just forgotten about it, but I haven’t.
Unfortunately, it’s fairly insubstantial, less like an autobiography and more like a series of blog posts, although Epstein died back in the sixties and so I guess that makes him ahead of his time. But this doesn’t really go into the kind of detail that I was hoping for, and it reads more like a collection of anecdotes than anything else. It still has a certain amount of historical significance, of course, but equally it wasn’t anywhere near as good as I was expecting.
If you’re a big Beatles fan then go ahead and grab yourself a copy of this if you can find one for a reasonable price. From what I’ve seen, copies of this book are pretty hard to find, which is a shame, I guess. People have just forgotten about it, but I haven’t.
June 8, 2017
Interesting. I've read a lot of Beatles books, but I'd never read this one before. It was fun to see how many quotes and stories from other books came out of this, as a start. It was also pretty well-written (by Derek Taylor), given that it really was just a little exploitation tome released at the height of Beatlemania. There are things left out -- Epstein being gay being a big one, though that's discussed in the preface to this edition -- and things are left in that you wouldn't necessarily expect. For example, Epstein spoke about John Lennon being occasionally cruel. As an historical text, it's well worth a perusal.
August 17, 2020
Engaging and insightful, A Cellarful of Noise captures an angle of the Beatles only their manager Brian Epstein could have seen. His wry sense of humor lightens the mood as he tells of his struggles to succeed in life. We are lucky Epstein found the time to write this book in his busy schedule. If I were still teaching, I would use this book to teach voice, memoir, characterization and conflict. There's so much invaluable information about how to succeed in business, music, the arts in general and life.
January 13, 2024
It's pretty amazing that this book exists. Of all the countless books about the Beatles, mostly written after they broke up to the present, this is an account from someone who was as close to the group at the time and was actually written at the time. More miraculous yet that it exists as the author would die a few years after writing it. It's a fascinating read as Epstein clearly had reason enough to shape the book in certain ways, as well as to hide some of his personal life, which comes across as obvious and intentional at times.
January 17, 2022
My Beatles knowledge is cursory, it’s nice to read something from someone on the inside. Epstein certainly played a key part in getting them exposure and guidance in the music industry. B.E. had serious skeletons to keep out of public knowledge, his sexuality would’ve been difficult to experience in that time period.
I don’t remember learning too much from reading George Harrison's autobiography, this isn’t heavy on personal stories about the band, either.
I don’t remember learning too much from reading George Harrison's autobiography, this isn’t heavy on personal stories about the band, either.
February 15, 2023
Ghost written by his assistant, Derek Taylor, ‘A Cellarful of Noise’ captures the life and work of Beatles manager Brian Epstein well. If you’re looking to learn anything new about the Beatles, this isn’t the book. But if you’re looking for insight into the relationship the band had with their manager, as well as fun stories about the four individual Beatles’ personalities, this is the book for you.
February 29, 2020
A short diary of Brian Epstein activities as a Beatles manager, I found it very bland with lack of interesting material, but as a Beatles fan I had to read it.
He did a great job to promote the Beatles in the early days.
He did a great job to promote the Beatles in the early days.
May 24, 2022
Such an endearing little book. So innocent in so many ways. Music is all about business according to Brian. Kind of weird, but it was written in like 1965, so there is that. So much happened in the few short years afterwards. Fun to read though.
September 15, 2023
Me gustó mucho. Es una buena manera de conocer un poco más a fondo a los beatles y sobre todo cómo es en realidad la industria de la música, y el proceso de creación de unas de las bandas más famosotas del mundo
February 12, 2019
Breezy but indispensable for any Beatles fan (or pop music fan, for that matter).
July 2, 2019
Not much to write home about if you are familar with the topic, but Epstein's other artists and the descriptions of the various Beatle are interesting. This is written in 1964 and it has to be read in context. Very British, thank you.
January 2, 2022
A fascinating look at the early days of the Beatles - post Hamburg - through the eyes of their first manager, the slightly pompous, old-fashioned, caring but ultimately doomed Brian Epstein
November 17, 2007
Brian Epstein was the manager of The Beatles. He made them take off their leather trousers for the purpose of putting on pant suits with collarless jackets. Along with their excellent songwriting this seemed to caused a cultural revoltution.
My edition of the book actually came from the 60's so there is no foreword or outside info regarding the writing, but I think Derek Taylor (Epstein/Beatles publicity person) wrote the text. Basically it's an afternoon read in how he found the Beatles. It's rather dry, and the most interesting part is when he writes (Taylor again) about the violence of Beatlemania.
What he doesn't talk about is his homosexuality. And that I think (due to the time) maybe the most interesting aspect of Brian Epstein. As I mentioned before I am totally fascinated with the great rock n' roll managers of the past. Especially the British ones from late 50's to 70's. After that the manager became an accountant - which is not bad for the artist, but for sure less fun.
What's intresting is that pretty much the major managers of this period were, or if they are still with us, gay. I think the gay sensibility had a lot to do with rock n' roll. Basically it was shaped by men of a certain class and were at the very least familar with the Gay subculture of its time.
With respect to Epstein, he kicked the door down for British bands to get in to do their thing. The rest followed him. And being the leader he for sure made mistakes that others learned from. Hopefully in the near future there will be a well-researched bio on the man - because for sure he had the vision - and that vision was four guys in a band with guitars. What happened afterwards was probably a surprise to Epstein.
My edition of the book actually came from the 60's so there is no foreword or outside info regarding the writing, but I think Derek Taylor (Epstein/Beatles publicity person) wrote the text. Basically it's an afternoon read in how he found the Beatles. It's rather dry, and the most interesting part is when he writes (Taylor again) about the violence of Beatlemania.
What he doesn't talk about is his homosexuality. And that I think (due to the time) maybe the most interesting aspect of Brian Epstein. As I mentioned before I am totally fascinated with the great rock n' roll managers of the past. Especially the British ones from late 50's to 70's. After that the manager became an accountant - which is not bad for the artist, but for sure less fun.
What's intresting is that pretty much the major managers of this period were, or if they are still with us, gay. I think the gay sensibility had a lot to do with rock n' roll. Basically it was shaped by men of a certain class and were at the very least familar with the Gay subculture of its time.
With respect to Epstein, he kicked the door down for British bands to get in to do their thing. The rest followed him. And being the leader he for sure made mistakes that others learned from. Hopefully in the near future there will be a well-researched bio on the man - because for sure he had the vision - and that vision was four guys in a band with guitars. What happened afterwards was probably a surprise to Epstein.
April 8, 2016
Having just got back from the Beatles fan Mecca that is Liverpool, I thought I would read more about Brian Epstein, the man who managed The Beatles. Written in 1964, Epstein covers his early life but mainly talks about the Fab Four and their increasing world domination. Epstein also talks about other artists he managed, like Gerry and The Pacemakers and Cilla Black. Epstein comes across as an intelligent, kind and sentimental man, who talks about The Beatles and his other artists, almost as if they are his babies. He was extremely proud of the extraordinary people he nurtured from very humble beginnings into fully-grown pop stars. At the time of publication, The Beatles were already global stars, but I would love to know what Epstein's thoughts would be on the effect of the Beatles if he hadn't died in 1967. The Beatles' legacy remains today, and Epstein's does, too. One quote from the book especially touched me. Talking about selling The Beatles to another manager, Epstein says: " The Beatles are not a deal. They are unique human beings and I believe that even if the whole thing peters out I will always be with The Beatles. I would like to look after them in some way throughout their lives, not because I want a percentage, but because they are my friends." A short, sweet, but wonderful book!
July 29, 2011
A great window into the life of the Beatles' manager. It reads in the style of a Tiger-beat article which is unfortunite to some degree and extremely fun in other ways. The amount that he, likely intentially, points out other successes he achievied in the music business is more enjoyable than grating. It is refreshing in the lack of stabs he takes at people in the course of his life and no mention of vendictive Beatle fights (as he is still very much their manager to do so would be in very poor judgement). Over all it is a fun book, but is not as meaty as it could have been. Part of this is because he could not have known how the end would come. Epstein probably, had he lived longer, would have had to chose sides as one finds in the book by Geoff Emerick. That book I found poorer for the amount that he bites at people.
August 14, 2014
One of the more curious aspects of Beatlemania was that there was even a market for their manager’s autobiography – back then managers may have essentially ruled the industry but they weren’t household names with Simon Cowell levels of fame, even Epstein. It’s a straightforward telling of his life to the time of publication, not quite hagiographic but almost entirely free of juicier elements – for obvious reasons of the stigma attached to homosexuality at the time there aren’t even allusions to this aspect of his life. These days it’s a fascinating period piece, particularly in relation to the artists he managed and how they fared in relation to his hopes for them – no-one’s infallible after all. Ultimately though, for all but the details of his early life, it’s been superseded by the seemingly infinite slew of Beatles biographies.
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