He Made The Beatles Millionaires

And They Called Him 'Mister Epstein'

By Sandy Gardiner, The Ottawa Journal

Brian Epstein, 32, died on Sunday, leaving behind a legacy of long hair and $18,000,000.

Not since Col. Tom Parker has any manager held so much power in the pop industry. He was the guiding light in bringing British artists, primarily The Beatles to world-wide chart dominance.

It all began on the back streets of Liverpool. It ended in plush Bulgaria, an exclusive suburb of London where the multi-millionaire had set up home.

Epstein was a shy, quiet, lonely man. But in the pop business none could better him.

Before long hair became a sign of musical times, Epstein tramped around London trying to peddle The Beatles to a record company.

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HE TRIED all the majors with little success. When he played a demo record of the group to Decca Records and was turned down, he told them "One day this group will be bigger than Elvis Presley." They laughed.

On his 13th try, a friend arranged a meeting with record producer George Martin. Martin listened to the disc and agreed to see the group.

In London two years ago, George told me: "I saw them at the Cavern. They weren't great. But they had a magnetic quality. We talked and I decided to make their first record."

Later, when they came to London to make a demo of their initial single, the producer didn't like the drummer, Pete Best. He told Brian that Best just couldn't be used on the session.

At the same time The Beatles were unhappy with Pete. They felt he wasn't pulling his weight.

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SO BRIAN went on a talent hunt. And, at a holiday camp he found Ringo Starkey, later to become just plain Ringo Starr.

Ringo came to Liverpool and worked with the group, rehearsing the first disc. Then it was back to London for the recording session.

But George didn't want to take a chance. He brought in a session drummer and allowed Ringo to play tambourine on "Love Me Do."

IN BUSINESS, he was tough and at times, ruthless. He expanded his empire with other acts, Billy J. Kramer, Gerry and The Pacemakers, The Fourmost, The Silkie, The Moody Blues, Paddy, Klaus and Gibson.

He took over a London theatre, The Saville, and started bringing in top name American rock acts coupling them with his own discoveries for exposure.

Once  he wanted to sign an American group called The Walker Brothers. They had just arrived in London and were planning to settle there.

As a group they had tremendous talent, Epstein recognized it and had made them an offer but the percentage he wanted made his Beatles percentages seem small fry.

Needless to say, they didn't join the fold and went ahead to make it big in Britain without the mastermind.

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IN THE last year, the NEMS (that's the Epstein company name) development steamed ahead. He and The Beatles bought shares in a movie company, opened up an American office, Nemperor, and brought more acts into his fold through advantageous mergers.

The Who and Donovan indirectly came under his wing while he worked on an Australian group called The Bee Gees and an American act The Cyrkle. Both achieved chart stardom.

His last project before his death was a group called The Lomax Alliance. This was to be a completely British, American combination, equally balanced in nationalities.

Who knows now whether the group will come to pass. The Epstein magic is no longer around. Only the unequalled achievements of his protégés will keep his memory alive.

- End of article. Copyright by The Ottawa Journal. Article used with permission by the author. Sandy Gardner's report on Brian Epstein was published on Friday, September 1, 1967, page 14 of The Ottawa Journal.