Manager Brian Epstein, pictured with some of the groups he managed. These include, The Beatles, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas. June 18, 1963(Image: Mirrorpix)

18 amazing photos remembering Beatles manager Brian Epstein

by · Liverpool Echo

Today would have been his 90th birthday

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These amazing photos from decades ago celebrate the life and legacy of Liverpool's Brian Epstein on what would have been his 90th birthday. Born in Liverpool on September 19, 1934, Epstein is remembered for playing a key role in the city's wider music scene and the development of Merseybeat in the mid-60s.

As a teenager, he worked at NEMS - North End Music Stores - a popular record retailer established by his family, before becoming director at the age of 21, the ECHO previously reported. Despite his lack of experience, Epstein became The Beatles’ manager in January 1962 after seeing them perform in the Cavern Club.

Epstein also made his name through the likes of Gerry and the Pacemakers, Cilla Black and Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas. After a hugely successful music career, Epstein died of an accidental drug overdose on August 27, 1967.

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Although his sexuality was not publicly known until after his death, it was an open secret among his friends and associates and in 2022, Epstein was honoured with a new statue on Whitechapel - the first of an LGBTQ+ figure in Liverpool's city centre. A new British biopic on his life, entitled Midas Man, and starring Jacob Fortune-Lloyd and will premiere in Liverpool at the end of October.

Today, on what would have been his 90th birthday, we've delved into the archives to rediscover these brilliant photos of Brian Epstein from decades ago. Courtesy of our archives, Mirrorpix, they also show Epstein with a number of the acts he managed, as well as in the Cavern Club and more.

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  1. Brian Epstein, manager of The Beatles. October 20, 1963
    1 of 18(Image: Mirrorpix)
  2. The Four Tops, with Brian Epstein at the Saville Theatre London. Pictured, back, left to right, Renaldo "Obie" Benson, Brian Epstein, Abdul "Duke" Fakir and Lawrence Payton, sitting in the chair is Levi Stubbs. November 8, 1966
    2 of 18(Image: Mirrorpix)
  3. Clive Epstein, brother of The Beatles manager Brian Epstein, marries Barbara Mattison at Greenbank Synagogue, Liverpool. Clive is on the right, Brian 3rd from left, in the background, as bride Barbara pours the champagne into one of her shoes for Billy J Kramer (2nd from the left) and Gerry Marsden (far left). September 13, 1963
    3 of 18(Image: Mirrorpix)
  4. Fred Marsden, Gerry Marsden, Les Maguire, Brian Epstein and Les Chadwick. January 6, 1964
    4 of 18(Image: Mirrorpix)
  5. Brian Epstein, The Beatles manager. February 22, 1967
    5 of 18(Image: Mirrorpix)
  6. Cilla Black with Brian Epstein at her 21st birthday party. May 27, 1964
    6 of 18(Image: Mirrorpix)
  1. Manager Brian Epstein, pictured with some of the groups he manages. These include, The Beatles, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas. June 18, 1963. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Gerry Marsden, Freddie Marsden, Les Chadwick and Les McGuire, Brian Epstein and Billy J Kramer and the Dokotas Robin McDonald, Mike Maxfield, Billy J Kramer, Ray Jones and Tony Mansfield
    7 of 18(Image: Mirrorpix)
  2. Lionel Bart, Alun Owen and Beatles manager Brian Epstein at the Cavern Club, Liverpool. January 1964
    8 of 18(Image: Mirrorpix)
  3. Linda Lewis (15) with TV Jury panel in Beat Time for Oxfam with Alan Freeman, Brian Epstein Billy Hatton, Cilla Black and Ringo Starr
    9 of 18(Image: Mirrorpix)
  4. National Beat Group Competition sponsored by Oxfam at the Prince of Wales theatre
    10 of 18(Image: Mirrorpix)
  1. Cilla Black with Brian Epstein, 1964
    11 of 18(Image: Mirrorpix)
  2. Brian Epstein with his stars, including The Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas, 1963
    12 of 18(Image: Mirrorpix)
  3. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr leaving New York's John F. Kennedy airport. Brian Epstein also photographed. September 21, 1964
    13 of 18(Image: Mirrorpix)
  4. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and Brian Epstein return from Paris on February 5, 1964
    14 of 18(Image: Mirrorpix)
  1. Paul McCartney and Brian Epstein on the set of Top of the Pops show. June 16, 1966
    15 of 18(Image: Mirrorpix)
  2. Brian Epstein at a press conference after the Beatles return from the US
    16 of 18(Image: Mirrorpix)
  3. Brian Epstein with three of his acts, Tommy Quickley, Cilla Black and Billy J Kramer leader of the Dakotas
    17 of 18(Image: Mirrorpix)
  4. Brian Epstein
    18 of 18(Image: Mirrorpix)