A walk up Mathew Street
A walk up Mathew Street from NEMS (Brian Epstein‘s shop and office) to the Cavern Club, where The Beatles played and were discovered by Brian.
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” 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” – Brian Epstein
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Brian read the Mersey Beat magazine which was published by Bill Harry. That, and posters around Liverpool had brought the name of The Beatles to his attention.
Curiosity, however, got the better of him. Bill Harry accordingly arranged for Brian to go and see them play during a lunch time spot at the Cavern Club.
So it was that about 1:00 pm on Thursday 9 November 1961, Brian and his assistant, Alan Taylor, took a walk up Mathew Street from NEMS to the Cavern Club
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They were allowed past the queue, and were greeted over the PA by Bob Wooler, the resident DJ.
After the performance
Both Epstein and Alan met with The Beatles after the show in their tiny dressing room, apparently no bigger than a “broom cupboard.”
“What brings Mr. Epstein here?” asked George Harrison, who along with the rest of the band, had recognised Brian.
After saying hello to the band, Brian went to lunch with Alan , who thought they were musically awful but personally charismatic.
By the end of end of the meal, Brian Epstein’s concentrated thinking had been crystallised into a singular question: “Should I manage them?” he blurted out.
The answer was, of course, obvious, making the rest, as they say, history…
A month later he was their manager.
Brian gave them their suited look and got them a recording contract . However, he was not a natural negotiator. His business deals in the early years of their career often left a lot to be desired. Brian died of a drug overdose in 1967, Shortly before his contract with the band was due to expire. This lead to speculation his death may not have been an accident – Contrary, that is, to the official verdict recorded at the inquest.
