Remembering the man who made The Beatles Brian Epstein on his 90th Birthday
The 5th Beatle was born on this day in 1934
Remembering the man who made The Beatles Brian Epstein on his 90th Birthday
He wasn’t and still is not as famous as George, John, Paul and Ringo, however, without him there would be no Beatles as we know. Epstein was their dedicated manager that smartly marketed their career through many different things such as clothing, appearances, record deals. There are quite a few people that could be considered the 5th Beatle (and in all justice as for example George Martin) however, Brian Epstein was the one the band choose to call their fifth member. Brian was only 32 years old when he died of an overdose in his house on the 27 of August 1967 shortly after the release of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”.
Brian Samuel Epstein was born on September 19, 1934, in Liverpool, England, into a prosperous Jewish family. His parents owned a successful furniture business, and later a record shop called NEMS (North End Music Stores), where Epstein would work and develop his love for music. After a brief stint at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, Epstein returned to Liverpool to manage the family business.
In 1961, while managing NEMS, Epstein heard of a local band that was creating a buzz in Liverpool. That band was The Beatles, and after seeing them perform at The Cavern Club, Epstein was immediately struck by their charisma and talent. He offered to manage them, and they signed a contract in January 1962. Epstein believed in their potential, helping refine their image by encouraging them to wear matching suits and adopt a more professional stage demeanor.
Epstein played a critical role in securing The Beatles’ first record deal with EMI’s Parlophone label, working closely with producer George Martin. Under his management, The Beatles’ popularity soared, eventually leading to their breakthrough in the United States with their historic performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1964.
In addition to The Beatles, Epstein managed other notable British acts, including Gerry and the Pacemakers, Cilla Black, and Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, helping shape the British Invasion of the 1960s. Though his managerial skills were often praised, Epstein faced criticism for some of his business decisions, such as merchandising deals that left The Beatles with less financial control over their image and products.
Epstein’s personal life was marked by struggles. As a gay man, he lived in fear of exposure at a time when homosexuality was illegal in the UK. He also battled depression and addiction to drugs like amphetamines. Despite these challenges, Epstein remained dedicated to The Beatles and their success.
On August 27, 1967, Epstein tragically died from an accidental overdose of sleeping pills at the age of 32. His death marked a turning point in The Beatles’ career, as they lost the figure who had guided them through their meteoric rise. Some speculation grew around his death, some say it was a suicide in part due to the fact that he was in love with Lennon and couldn’t deal with it not being mutual (it’s a known fact that he loved Lennon, who used it in his advantage during the early Beatles days), but the accidental overdose it’s still the strongest possibility. The importance of Brian to the balance of the band was immense, how things suddenly crashed down after his death leading to feud and conflict between sort of prove it in a way. Had he been around maybe The Beatles still would end up in turmoil as they did. But who knows.
Brian Epstein remains remembered as “the Fifth Beatle,” the man who recognized the band’s potential and helped them become the most successful and influential band in history.
Watch a 1964 interview with Brian Epstein
Watch more The Beatles related videos
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