The Beatles Boxed Set (44 page)

            After
the band’s performance, Epstein went backstage.

The Beatles during one of their
performances at the Cavern

            George
greeted him, “Hello there. What brings Mr. Epstein here?”

            They
were not formally introduced, but George knew him from the many visits of the
band to his NEMS store. George immediately took notice of Epstein’s appearance
and thought he was rich and very posh. Epstein talked with them about
My
Bonnie
then shook their hands and promised to come back.

            Epstein
and his assistant went to Peacock’s for lunch and discussed the band. Though
they were awful, as Taylor said, the boys were fantastic. Epstein considered
managing the group though he had no idea how to do it. So he phoned his
contacts in the music industry and asked them how to manage a rock ‘n’ roll
band. After which he invited the Beatles to his office.

            Paul
was nowhere.

            Epstein
asked George to call him at home. George reported that Paul was in the bath.

            Epstein
was a bit annoyed. “This is disgraceful. He’s going to be late for a very
important meeting.”

            George
placated him by saying, “Late, but very clean.”

            When
Paul finally arrived, they relocated to a nearby bar and offered the group to
manage them. They agreed. And because George was still a minor, Epstein had to
ask his father for permission. Harold and Louise were impressed enough by
Epstein that they permitted him to sign George on, and from then on, Epstein
took charge of George’s career.

            But
first, Epstein had to make some things clear.

o
  
No smoking
onstage, please.

o
  
Play your
best numbers and not just the ones you like.

o
  
Joking with
girls in the front row make other people feel ignored, so talk to them as well.      

o
  
Bow from the
waist after they finish a set.

            Epstein
proved himself a capable manager for under his leadership, the band’s fees at
the Cavern increased from seven to fifteen pounds per date. And their bookings
expanded farther away. Also, Epstein was successful in turning his young
charges from four greasy Beatles to groomed artists.

While George and his band mates played at
The Odd Spot in March 1962, Epstein met with Decca executive Dick Rowe and
turned the boys down

            The
manager not only provided a neater appearance and better pay for the band; for
George, Epstein provided him with greater self-confidence. He was just a boy
who played music because there was nothing else exciting. But when Epstein
came, George had someone more mature to guide him and their manager’s faith in
them inspired George to make the most of his talent. Even after finding out
that Epstein was gay, it didn’t diminish his love for him. In later years,
George would speak about Epstein’s kindness and how he was instrumental in
shaping the band’s image and taking care of them personally and professionally.

            But
Epstein was not contented with the fact that his boys earned money. He had
bigger visions for them: to be superstars. And that meant that he must land
them a recording contract. He went from one recording company to another, but
he was rejected time and time again. That is, until he landed the Beatles an
audition at Decca Records in London.

            The
Beatles were set up for their audition on January 1, 1962. The audition went
without a hitch and they returned to Liverpool, back to their lunch-hour gig at
the Cavern. In March, Epstein was invited to meet with Decca executive Dick
Rowe.

            Rowe
was direct in saying that they didn’t like the Beatles’ sound. Epstein was
disappointed, but nevertheless told Rowe, “You must be out of your mind. These
boys are going to explode. I’m completely confident that one day they will be
bigger than Elvis Presley.”

            That
evening, Epstein brought the news to George, Paul, John and Pete. More
rejections followed. No matter what Epstein did, he couldn’t land a deal for
his boys. There were just too many bands in the early 60s in England competing
against each other to land a recording deal with any of London record labels.

The Beatles, minus Stu who died of brain
hemorrhage, at The Star Club in Hamburg, April 1962

            Epstein
was able to book the band another stint in Hamburg in April 1962. Upon their
arrival, Astrid tearfully informed them that Stu had died of brain hemorrhage.
The news so shocked them that John cried hysterically.

            The
band played that night, but they were subdued and did not have the strength to
joke with the crowd. They did not return to England for the funeral out of
respect for their friend. They had become so popular then that the funeral
would turn into a circus if they turned up.

            In
June, while the Beatles were at The Star Club in Hamburg, a telegram from
Epstein arrived. It read: CONGRATULATIONS, BOYS. EMI REQUESTS RECORDING
SESSION. PLEASE REHEARSE NEW MATERIAL. The boys were stunned. While a recording
session wasn’t technically a contract, it meant a lot of possibilities,
especially for a rock ‘n’ band trying to make it in the music industry.

            The
Beatles arrived at EMI Studios in Abbey Road on June 6, 1962. Producer George
Martin was there and listened as the band played
Love Me Do
and four other
numbers. Martin was impressed by Paul’s voice and George’s solid guitar work.
After the recording, the boys returned to Liverpool, having no idea of how it
would turn out. Would it end in disappointment or a contract?

            The
answer came three months later when they were informed that George Martin wanted
to produce the band’s first record. At last! This was their chance. In a closed-door
discussion, George and Paul agreed that they would replace Pete Best with Ringo
Starr, a drummer they met in Hamburg. Martin had previously complained to
Epstein about Pete’s poor drumming and suggested that they use a session
drummer. Ringo was a better drummer and more like the other boys in personality
and style. George realized then that though he liked Pete, business was
business, and that involved making the hard choices. He convinced Epstein to
let go of Pete and then told Ringo, who had left Rory Storm and the Hurricanes,
that the job was his.

George Martin, left, at EMI Studios with
the final lineup of the Beatles, with Ringo Starr behind the drum kit

            Ringo’s
first performance with the group was in August, but Pete’s absence caused a
near riot. But George stood by his convictions that Ringo was the best choice
as a drummer for the Beatles.

            Ringo
fit in with the group, and the Beatles arrived at Abbey Road on a September
morning ready for their first record.

The
Beatles’ first single,
Love Me Do
, was released in October and peaked at
number seventeen on the
Record Retailer
chart. George first heard his
work on radio on October 5, 1962 and “went shivery all over.” Even though the
single wasn’t a number-one hit, it was way better than anything and it was an
impressive payoff after two years of going from one club to another.

            After
the release of their debut single, where George played a Gibson J-160E, everything
happened at once. They were booked away from Liverpool, received the most votes
in that year’s
Mersey Beat
popularity poll, and were scheduled for a
number of radio and television appearances. In mid-October, they made their
television debut when they performed live on the regional news programme
People
and Places
.

The Beatles on People and Places

            Now
they were more popular than ever. But George didn’t let the attention go to his
head and remained a gentleman.

            Epstein
had convinced them to wear custom-tailored mohair suits and ties. Though it was
difficult for him to get them to wear suits and ties, they finally agreed,
knowing that Epstein’s advice was practical. As Epstein had his eyes on
television for the band, he also knew that on TV, neatness counted.

            In
December, the Beatles had their final stint in Hamburg where they stayed at the
Hotel Pacific. George recalled, “We came back to play the Star-Club, a big
place and fantastic because it had a great sound system. This time we had a
hotel. I remember it was quite a long walk from the club, at the top of the
Reeperbahn going back towards the city.”