December 23, 1961
The Beatles are still appearing almost daily at the Cavern and are packing them in as their local popularity soars. It is almost weird the way very little of this HUGE movement in the history of popular music is almost completely missed by the local press. They continue to write about garden parties and new housing developments and are almost blind to the elephant standing in the corner. Fortunately, there are those, like Sam Leach and now Brian Epstein, who are beginning to see that this movement could be more than a colorful local oddity. Isn't that always the way with really new game changing phenomenon, though? The general population just suddenly wakes up, as if the scales have fallen from their eyes. Not yet. Not in Liverpool. Except among those crazy kids who are queuing up hours early for admission to the shows.
And tonight they have a big treat in store. An all night show in the damp and smelly confines of the Cavern Club. The Beatles play along with the Remo Four, Gerry and the Pacemakers and the Searchers, with a couple of jazz bands thrown in for good measure. The Beatles' Cavern Days, though numbered, are not over yet. "Where are we goin', lads?"
Friday, December 23, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
As If Waking From a Dream
December 15, 1961
John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best get their first look at a management contract, produced by Brian Epstein, that could legalize their management arrangement with him. While they agree it is inadequate to their needs, it does become the template which Brian uses as a starting point for writing his own contract with them. They have agreed in principle that they would sign with him.
Brian starts applying his civilizing influence right away, telling them to lose the leather jackets and jeans all together. First, Brian gives them a "preppie" look, asking them to wear sweaters and slacks on stage, but there are even bigger image changes in planning.
John Lennon: "We were in a dream til he came along. We had no idea what we were doing. Seeing our marching orders on paper made it all official. Brian was trying to clean our image up, but at the same time he didn't want us suddenly looking square. He would tell us jeans were not particularly smart and could we possibly manage to wear proper trousers. He literally f*ckin' cleaned us up. There were great fights between him and me, over me not wanting to dress up, and he and Paul wanting me to dress up. In fact, he and Paul had some kind of collusion to keep me straight." Even after 50 years, that does ring true, doesn't it?
Later on that evening, they appear with the new band first formed by their friend from the recent London adventure, Brian Cassar (Cass and the Cassanovas). It's yet another Operation Big Beat event at the Tower Ballroom.
John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best get their first look at a management contract, produced by Brian Epstein, that could legalize their management arrangement with him. While they agree it is inadequate to their needs, it does become the template which Brian uses as a starting point for writing his own contract with them. They have agreed in principle that they would sign with him.
Brian starts applying his civilizing influence right away, telling them to lose the leather jackets and jeans all together. First, Brian gives them a "preppie" look, asking them to wear sweaters and slacks on stage, but there are even bigger image changes in planning.
John Lennon: "We were in a dream til he came along. We had no idea what we were doing. Seeing our marching orders on paper made it all official. Brian was trying to clean our image up, but at the same time he didn't want us suddenly looking square. He would tell us jeans were not particularly smart and could we possibly manage to wear proper trousers. He literally f*ckin' cleaned us up. There were great fights between him and me, over me not wanting to dress up, and he and Paul wanting me to dress up. In fact, he and Paul had some kind of collusion to keep me straight." Even after 50 years, that does ring true, doesn't it?
Later on that evening, they appear with the new band first formed by their friend from the recent London adventure, Brian Cassar (Cass and the Cassanovas). It's yet another Operation Big Beat event at the Tower Ballroom.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
A Busy Brian
December 13, 1961
Even though Brian Epstein hasn't yet formalized a relationship with the Beatles, he has been working on getting them a recording contract. (We have to assume he had decided to sign them, against Allen William's advice to "not touch them with a barge pole"). Brian uses his considerable clout as an important record retailer to contact Tony Barrow, who writes a column in the Liverpool Echo newspaper and also coincidentally holds a position writing sleeve notes for Decca Records in London. Mr Barrow sees the wisdom in giving one of Decca's bigger customers the benefit of the doubt concerning this "wild hair" band of his. He arranges with Dick Rowe, head of Decca A and R, to send an assistant, named Mike Smith, up to Liverpool to listen to the band in the their home club, the Cavern. His arrival causes quite a stir in the club It is a feather in Brian Epstein's cap and no doubt impresses the Beatles in a big way. But this is the beginning of THE biggest missed opportunity in the history of show business.
In a parallel development, Motown Records, the Detroit label, achieves it's first number one hit in the USA. The song is "Please Mr Postman" by the Marvelettes and will be covered by the Beatles. (Just listen to those backing vocals.) A major source of inspiration for the Beatles is developing fast.
Even though Brian Epstein hasn't yet formalized a relationship with the Beatles, he has been working on getting them a recording contract. (We have to assume he had decided to sign them, against Allen William's advice to "not touch them with a barge pole"). Brian uses his considerable clout as an important record retailer to contact Tony Barrow, who writes a column in the Liverpool Echo newspaper and also coincidentally holds a position writing sleeve notes for Decca Records in London. Mr Barrow sees the wisdom in giving one of Decca's bigger customers the benefit of the doubt concerning this "wild hair" band of his. He arranges with Dick Rowe, head of Decca A and R, to send an assistant, named Mike Smith, up to Liverpool to listen to the band in the their home club, the Cavern. His arrival causes quite a stir in the club It is a feather in Brian Epstein's cap and no doubt impresses the Beatles in a big way. But this is the beginning of THE biggest missed opportunity in the history of show business.
In a parallel development, Motown Records, the Detroit label, achieves it's first number one hit in the USA. The song is "Please Mr Postman" by the Marvelettes and will be covered by the Beatles. (Just listen to those backing vocals.) A major source of inspiration for the Beatles is developing fast.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Late again
December 10, 1961
The Beatles drive back north to Liverpool and barely make it back in time to play a scheduled date at the infamous Hambleton Hall. In fact they arrive only with enough time to play a short 15 minute set. Brian Epstein is beginning to see the outlines of the job he is getting himself in for: turning this rather catch as catch can group into a professional outfit.
The Beatles drive back north to Liverpool and barely make it back in time to play a scheduled date at the infamous Hambleton Hall. In fact they arrive only with enough time to play a short 15 minute set. Brian Epstein is beginning to see the outlines of the job he is getting himself in for: turning this rather catch as catch can group into a professional outfit.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Where is Aldershot?
December 9, 1961
There it is! About 35 miles or 50 km south-west of London.
The Beatles have to get up early to pile themselves and their equipment into the Beatles van for the 9 hour drive down to Aldershot. Sam Leach is thinking that he will never get any London booking agents up to Liverpool, so he must bring the mountain to Mohammad. He books a string of evening performances for the Beatles at the Palais Ballroom in Aldershot. Unfortunately, due to a minor comedy of errors, his promotional advertising campaign doesn't come off as planned so when the Beatles arrive, they find that there is no audience for them to play for. They start an impromptu ad campaign of their own, running around town and telling everyone about the free show at the Palais tonight. They manage to bring in a "crowd" of 18 curious locals and... the show must go on... do their show for them.
That night, with no place to stay, they point the van to an underground club in London's Soho district run by an old Liverpool friend, Brian Cassar of Cass and the Cassanovas where they jump on stage for an ad hoc concert minus George. Their inauspicious first London appearance.
This proves a disappointing experience for them and Leach. Of course a gig a bit closer to London itself might have had a better effect, but to Liverpudlians with a hazy grasp of geography, London and "the south" were somewhat synonymous.
Just a small aside. Whenever I look at my blog stats, it always makes my heart beat a little faster when I see someone visiting from the UK. Anyone out there from Aldershot?
There it is! About 35 miles or 50 km south-west of London.
The Beatles have to get up early to pile themselves and their equipment into the Beatles van for the 9 hour drive down to Aldershot. Sam Leach is thinking that he will never get any London booking agents up to Liverpool, so he must bring the mountain to Mohammad. He books a string of evening performances for the Beatles at the Palais Ballroom in Aldershot. Unfortunately, due to a minor comedy of errors, his promotional advertising campaign doesn't come off as planned so when the Beatles arrive, they find that there is no audience for them to play for. They start an impromptu ad campaign of their own, running around town and telling everyone about the free show at the Palais tonight. They manage to bring in a "crowd" of 18 curious locals and... the show must go on... do their show for them.
That night, with no place to stay, they point the van to an underground club in London's Soho district run by an old Liverpool friend, Brian Cassar of Cass and the Cassanovas where they jump on stage for an ad hoc concert minus George. Their inauspicious first London appearance.
This proves a disappointing experience for them and Leach. Of course a gig a bit closer to London itself might have had a better effect, but to Liverpudlians with a hazy grasp of geography, London and "the south" were somewhat synonymous.
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| Who's that lefty bassist on stage? |
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| When all else fails... (Sam in front) |
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Jones and Williams and Leach
December 8, 1961
The third of Sam Leach's Operation Big Beat at the Tower Ballroom takes place this evening, after the Beatles play the obligatory lunchtime gig at the Cavern. Davy Jones (NOT the Monkee, the black blues singer) appears on both bills with their backing. In addition, singer Danny Williams, a black pop star from South Africa with a UK number 1 hit version of "Moon River", is on both shows. (How different were the times, then!) And they are anticipating their very first campaign to the south of England, Aldershot and LONDON, organized by the same Sam Leach, which starts tomorrow!
(Sam, if you're seeing this, thanks a million, once again. Without you, it might not have happened at all.)
The third of Sam Leach's Operation Big Beat at the Tower Ballroom takes place this evening, after the Beatles play the obligatory lunchtime gig at the Cavern. Davy Jones (NOT the Monkee, the black blues singer) appears on both bills with their backing. In addition, singer Danny Williams, a black pop star from South Africa with a UK number 1 hit version of "Moon River", is on both shows. (How different were the times, then!) And they are anticipating their very first campaign to the south of England, Aldershot and LONDON, organized by the same Sam Leach, which starts tomorrow!
(Sam, if you're seeing this, thanks a million, once again. Without you, it might not have happened at all.)
Saturday, December 3, 2011
A Momentous Meeting
December 3, 1961
Today the Beatles, in addition to playing a gig at the Best basement's Casbah Club, meet with Brian Epstein at his office above his store in Whitechapel Street, a short distance from the Cavern. The story goes that Paul McCartney was late for the meeting. George is recruited to "ring him up" and see what's keeping him and soon returns with the news that Paul is in the bath. Epstein is furious. How could Paul be so cavalier as to forget to be prompt to this meeting which might have such a large impact on his entire future? George's reply? "Well, he is late, but at least he is very clean!" The quick and natural wit immediately takes the edge off Brian's anger.
Brian Epstein, decidedly a member of the upper crust of Liverpool society, seems to have been in a constant search for a place in the world. So far he has failed as an English schoolboy, a member of the military and as an actor. Epstein had made fast friends with the successful English actor named Brian Bedford, while Bedford was playing Hamlet at Liverpool Playhouse. Bedford convinced Epstein that he should try out for a spot at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), the most prestigious acting school in England at that time. After three promising terms there, Epstein again became dissatisfied and returned to the furniture store founded by his grandfather in Liverpool and specialized in the record department.
Epstein, a sensitive soul if ever there was one, sees immediately what makes the Beatles tick. In addition to their musicianship, which is considerable, they seem to possess that certain undefinable something we call charm. And he also knows that that quality is an essential ingredient in the making of a popular act. But while many performers are groomed for it, Brian knows he is looking at that rarest of birds, a bunch of kids who come by it naturally. It doesn't take him long to see that there was a future for these boys and that he wants to be part of it. ( I think there can be little doubt that the 100 proof sex appeal the Beatles exude has influenced the closetted gay businessman on some level, whether conscious or not.)
In any case, on this day, Brian Epstein and the Beatles adjourn to a local cafe and seem to get along well. Brian begins to think in concrete terms of how he can be part of this phenomenon But before anything gets signed, he has some research to do.
Today the Beatles, in addition to playing a gig at the Best basement's Casbah Club, meet with Brian Epstein at his office above his store in Whitechapel Street, a short distance from the Cavern. The story goes that Paul McCartney was late for the meeting. George is recruited to "ring him up" and see what's keeping him and soon returns with the news that Paul is in the bath. Epstein is furious. How could Paul be so cavalier as to forget to be prompt to this meeting which might have such a large impact on his entire future? George's reply? "Well, he is late, but at least he is very clean!" The quick and natural wit immediately takes the edge off Brian's anger.
Brian Epstein, decidedly a member of the upper crust of Liverpool society, seems to have been in a constant search for a place in the world. So far he has failed as an English schoolboy, a member of the military and as an actor. Epstein had made fast friends with the successful English actor named Brian Bedford, while Bedford was playing Hamlet at Liverpool Playhouse. Bedford convinced Epstein that he should try out for a spot at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), the most prestigious acting school in England at that time. After three promising terms there, Epstein again became dissatisfied and returned to the furniture store founded by his grandfather in Liverpool and specialized in the record department.
Epstein, a sensitive soul if ever there was one, sees immediately what makes the Beatles tick. In addition to their musicianship, which is considerable, they seem to possess that certain undefinable something we call charm. And he also knows that that quality is an essential ingredient in the making of a popular act. But while many performers are groomed for it, Brian knows he is looking at that rarest of birds, a bunch of kids who come by it naturally. It doesn't take him long to see that there was a future for these boys and that he wants to be part of it. ( I think there can be little doubt that the 100 proof sex appeal the Beatles exude has influenced the closetted gay businessman on some level, whether conscious or not.)
In any case, on this day, Brian Epstein and the Beatles adjourn to a local cafe and seem to get along well. Brian begins to think in concrete terms of how he can be part of this phenomenon But before anything gets signed, he has some research to do.
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