Brian Epstein

Without the determination, magnetism, vision, good manners, respectable clothes and financial security of Brian Epstein, no one would ever have heard of John, Paul, George, and Ringo. In Liverpool, in December 1961, Brian Epstein met the Beatles in his small office and signed a management deal. The rest may be history, but it's a history that Epstein created, along with a blueprint for all pop groups since. Out of the public eye, Epstein was flamboyant and charismatic. He drank, gambled compulsively and took drugs to excess. But people remember his wit, charm and capacity to inspire affection and loyalty. That's when he wasn't depressed, even suicidal. Epstein was Jewish in a society filled with anti-Semitism. He was homosexual at a time when it was a crime to be gay, and from his teenage days to the end of his life he suffered arrests, beatings and blackmail--all of which had to be kept secret. In In My Life: The Brian Epstein Story, Debbie Geller tells the story of Epstein's complicated life through the reminiscences of his friends and family. Based on dozens of interviews--with Paul McCartney, George Martin and Marianne Faithfull, among others--plus many of Epstein's personal diaries, this book uncovers the truth behind the enigmatic young man who unintentionally caused a cultural revolution--and in the process destroyed himself.

The title does not exaggerate: In the six years that he devoted to their careers, their creative freedom and their personal happiness, Brian Epstein did make the Beatles, and soon after his sudden death in 1967 at age 32, the group split up. Based on interviews with Epstein's family, friends and associates, this biography, by a man who knew him well, sensitively describes and tries to explain the charming, artistic, resourceful manager who realized the potential of his four young fellow-Liverpudlians. Having made the Beatles famous internationally, and amassed a fortune for them and for himself, Epstein nevertheless was restless, depressed, capricious, easily bored and increasingly irrational. From a middle-class, orthodox Jewish family, Epstein suffered the ``dreadful inner conflict of reluctant homosexuality'' at odds with his deep desire to marry and be a father. Coleman, biographer of Eric Clapton and John Lennon, writes fluently, objectively and with warmth but, in an attempt to provide as detailed a picture as possible, strings along more quotations and opinions than are necessary. Photos not seen by PW. (July) -Publishers Weekly.

The Fifth Beatle is the untold true story of Brian Epstein, the visionary manager who discovered and guided the Beatles — from their gigs in a tiny cellar in Liverpool to unprecedented international stardom. Yet more than merely the story of "The Man Who Made the Beatles," The Fifth Beatle is an uplifting, tragic, and ultimately inspirational human story about the struggle to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Brian himself died painfully lonely at the young age of thirty-two, having helped the Beatles prove through "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" that pop music could be an inspirational art form. He was homosexual when it was a felony to be so in the United Kingdom, Jewish at a time of anti-Semitism, and from Liverpool when it was considered just a dingy port town. This limited edition of this groundbreaking graphic novel features a signed tip-in sheet by creators Vivek J. Tiwary, Andrew C. Robinson, and Kyle Baker, along with a bonus section including unique Beatles and Brian Epstein memorabilia and behind-the-scenes sketches, a unique, textured cover, and a slipcase. Limited to 1500 signed and numbered copies.

WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY CRAIG BROWN, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF ONE TWO THREE FOUR Everybody knows the Beatles: John, Paul, George, Ringo ... and Brian. The Fab Four's meteoric rise is one of the most famous rags-to-riches stories ever told. And behind it all was Brian Epstein, the 'fifth Beatle' and legendary manager, who transformed the group from a small-time club band into global superstars. What was his secret? How did one man lead these scruffy Liverpool lads to change the world of popular music forever? A Cellarful of Noise is Brian Epstein's original 1964 memoir of a life spent making music history. It includes thirty contemporary photographs which offer a glimpse of Brian and the Beatles on their way to phenomenal success. Eye-opening, moving and constantly entertaining, this is essential reading for every Beatles fan.

Joe Flannery has been described as the 'Secret Beatle', and as the business associate and partner of Brian Epstein, he became an integral part of The Beatles' management team during their rise to fame in the early 1960s. Standing in the Wings is Flannery's account of this fascinating era, which included the controversial dismissal of Pete Best from the group (nothing to do with London, but matters back in Liverpool), Brian Epstein's fragility, and the importance of the Star Club in Hamburg. This book is not simply a biography, as it also considers issues to do with sexuality in 1950s Liverpool, the vagaries of the music business at that time and the hazards of personal management in the 'swinging sixties'. At its heart, Standing in the Wings provides an in-depth look at Flannery's personal and professional relationship with Epstein and his close links with the Fab Four. Shortly before John Lennon's murder in 1980, it was Flannery who was one of the last people in the UK to talk to the great man. Indeed, Flannery remains one of the few 'Beatle people' in Liverpool to have the respect of the surviving Beatles, and this is reflected in this timely and revealing book.

“Heartbreaking, exhilarating and unexpected . . . A complete triumph.”—The Hollywood Reporter “10/10. A masterpiece . . . Brilliant in every aspect.”—IGN’s Best Original Graphic Novel, 2013 The Fifth Beatle brings to life the true story of visionary Beatles manager Brian Epstein—the man who launched the Beatles to worldwide stardom. This 10th Anniversary edition of the critically acclaimed, award-winning international bestseller features a new cover, an accompanying musical soundtrack/playlist curated by writer Vivek J. Tiwary, a new introduction by legendary music manager Kelly Curtis (Pearl Jam), and an expanded sketchbook section. A visionary artist manager, Brian Epstein engineered Beatlemania—guiding the Beatles from basement gigs to unprecedented international stardom while wrestling with personal demons and the trappings of massive ambition and success. An award-winning, uplifting and inspiring human story about chasing your dreams, The Fifth Beatle also reveals an important, unsung chapter in the Beatles' history. Whether you’re discovering the Brian Epstein story for the first time or an old fan revisiting this groundbreaking graphic novel, now a part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives Permanent Collection, a splendid time is guaranteed for all.

“If anyone was ‘The Fifth Beatle’ it was Brian.”–Paul McCartney The Fifth Beatle graphic novel recounts the untold true story of Brian Epstein-- the visionary manager who created Beatlemania and guided the Beatles from basement gigs to unprecedented international stardom. It's also an uplifting, inspirational human story about the struggle to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. This critically acclaimed and multiple award winning graphic novel has been added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives! This new softcover edition includes an expanded sketchbook and Beatles memorabilia section, with behind-the-scenes essays and insights from writer Vivek J. Tiwary, plus 25 pages of bonus art by Andrew Robinson and Kyle Baker!

The Fifth Beatle is the untold true story of Brian Epstein, the visionary manager who discovered and guided The Beatles-from their gigs in a tiny cellar in Liverpool to unprecedented international stardom. Yet more than merely the story of "The Man Who Made The Beatles," The Fifth Beatle is an uplifting, tragic, and ultimately inspirational human story about the struggle to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Brian himself died painfully lonely at the young age of thirty-two, having helped The Beatles prove through "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" that pop music could be an inspirational art form. He was homosexual when it was a felony to be so in the United Kingdom, Jewish at a time of anti-Semitism, and from Liverpool when it was considered just a dingy port town.