It is a day that has gone down in Beatles history and surrounded by myths, conspiracy theories and misdirection.
What really happened to Pete Best on that day? Was he fired?
The full story is in Finding the Fourth Beatle, but in the following YouTube video, David Bedford explains what really happened. Discover whether Pete Best was fired by Brian Epstein or not.
In the latest in the series, our Beatles memorabilia expert, Terry Crain, takes a look at Beatles Binders:
Every “paperback writer” could safely secure essential manuscripts and homework in the official Beatles Binder! Fans could now collect and save the lyrics and sheet music for their favorite Fab Four songs in one place! Students could carry notes about the band to school and daydream of the Fabs instead of the football team star!
Standard Plastic Products (SPP), 450 Oak Tree Avenue, South Plainfield, New Jersey, received their merchandise license in late February of 1964 as a sub-licensee from the Belt Manufacturing Company of Canada. The agreement allowed them to produce the “early 1964 issue” binders featuring the Fab Four. Vinyl-coated and supported with pressboard, the binders were sold with either two or three snap-rings to anchor the paper (either 10½” x11¾” x1″ or 10½” x11¾” x1½” – advertised as 29cm x 24cm x 4cm). The advertisements for these binders started showing up around April 1964.
The “early 1964 binders” came in various colors – white, beige/tan, grey, blue, hot pink, purple, red, and yellow – with either slightly sharpened or rounded corners. The front cover exhibited a large, highly detailed, sepia-toned Beatles photo (the famous image by photographer Dezo Hoffmann) and scattered facsimile signatures. Interestingly, this early version of the binder featured Paul McCartney brandishing a cigarette in his right fingers. The contraband was “airbrushed out” of the subsequent binders, manufactured by New York Loose Leaf Corporation (labeled the ‘mid-1964 issue’).
“I carried my white one to school in 4th grade…until the principal sent around a note telling us that no binders were allowed. It was a Catholic school, so I guess they considered it too sexy. Years later, my mom laughed and said that I should thank them because it probably stayed in better shape since I didn’t lug it back and forth.” – Mary Jo Navarra McIntyre.
Newspaper advertisements for the binders – or “ringbinder” as some ads called them – really put the hard-sell on consumers:
“Famous Beatles Binder…2 or 3 ring binder with photo of The Beatles on cover” priced the item for $1.29, but for “this weekend-64¢!”
Another ad announced:
“The Beatles are here! The Beatle Loose Leaf binder. Beatle Binder Set. 3 Heavy Duty Metal Rings With Metal Base And Boosters. Consists of sturdy Loose Leaf binder, spiral notebook and memo pad. Just 500, limit 1 per customer. 99¢ set.”
The 2-ring binder connected with the bubble gum company Fleer Corporation, which produced a 10″ x12″ x 4½” shipping box for their Dubble Bubble© gum sent to retailers, etc. The bubble gum container held (480) 1¢ pieces of gum and a free Beatles Binder and had the promotion listed on the box as “Deal #166.”
“I remember buying this binder in late ’64. I was seven years old at the time. I purchased it at Woolworth’s at the Interstate Shopping Center in Ramsey, NJ. I don’t remember how much, but probably $3 or $4. I used it for homework and drawings I made. I think I had it for just over a year before someone stole it from my desk during recess one day.” – Gregory Voutsas.
The New York Loose Leaf Corporation’s aforementioned ‘mid-1964 issue’ binders – whose advertisements came out about August 1964 – were available with two or three rings and manufactured in white. The front cover displayed a larger but less detailed black and white Beatles photo with signatures. Paul McCartney’s cigarette had been “airbrushed” out of his hand for this binder design. By mid-1964, Standard Plastic Products (SPP) most likely sub-licensed the binders to the New York Loose Leaf Corporation, and their new binder version was mass-produced through the end of 1964. The New York Loose Leaf Corporation applied for its trademark on August 14, 1962. The brand (US Registration Number 0736031) covered “paper, items made of paper, stationery items, loose-leaf books, and ledger binders.” Their trademark design was on the cover of the mid-1964 Beatles binder.
“I got my binders not long ago from a guy in Detroit who had bought a derelict factory and was liquidating it. He came across these binders in a cupboard. They were being used to hold all the previous business’s documents!” – Phil Harbour.
Discover more great stories about the Beatles memorabilia in Terry’s book:
The book covers the approximately 150 licensed items that dotted store shelves and helped fuel the band-crazed fan during the time right after the band landed in America and performed on The Ed Sullivan Show. Toys, games, dolls, jewelry, clothing, wigs, and more!
httpss://tredition.com/authors/terry-crain-10928/nems-and-the-business-of-selling-beatles-merchandise-in-the-u-s-1964-1966-paperback-2737/
Part 1 The Beatles First Meeting with Brian Epstein
After their first meeting with Brian Epstein, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best had a follow up meeting at Brian’s NEMS office in Whitechapel, Liverpool. Tony Broadbent takes up the story from his book, The One After 9:09:
“I tell you, the door’s bloody well locked.”
“That’s because it’s half-day closing, dafty.”
“Well knock on it, then.”
“You knock, you’re nearest.”
“Pete, you do it.”
“Me hands are full.”
“Well, use yer head, then.”
“We could always use Bob as a battering ram, if we had to.”
“We already are,” growled John Lennon.
He opened the door and smiled a greeting as all four Beatles tried to push through as one. “This is me Dad,” John said, pointing over his shoulder to the small dapper figure of Bob Wooler. The absurdity of it perplexed him for a moment. He’d fully expected the Beatles to come by themselves, his simple hope they’d all arrive together and on time. Now here they were with a stranger of sorts in tow and everyone smelling very strongly of beer. It was all suddenly so very awkward. The Cavern’s disc jockey smiled at him, apologetically.
He knew very well who Bob Wooler was. And in many ways had every reason to be grateful to the man, as the DJ had been largely responsible for creating local demand for The Beatles’ recording of ‘My Bonnie’. So once he’d managed to get everybody sat down in his office, upstairs, he took Bob Wooler as his cue.
“Thanks to Mr Wooler’s constant featuring of ‘My Bonnie’ in clubs and dancehalls around Liverpool, NEMS has sold over a hundred copies of your Polydor recording in the last week and a half, alone. Further, to which, I’ve already met with the London representatives of Deutsche Grammophon, the owners of the Polydor label, to ask them to release your record in the United Kingdom.”
It was a good opening verse, but The Beatles were impatient to get to the chorus. That’s why they’d brought Bob Wooler along. They liked and respected the DJ, because they knew he liked them and championed their music. He was also an adult, like Brian Epstein, and they wanted his opinion, because as eager as they were for business guidance, they were still very cagey about it all. When they’d all met up in the Grapes, prior to their appointment at NEMS, John Lennon had been his usual blunt self.
“This Epstein fella has no experience with rock ‘n’ roll other than selling pop records from his shops. From the look of him, he’s probably more into Mantovani and his bloody Orchestra or, worse, bloody opera. So, the question is, Bob, as much as we need help, like, is this Epstein ever going to amount to anything? Or do you reckon he’s all mouth and no trousers?”
As ever, Bob Wooler played it cautious and said he’d best hold his counsel until later. It was always the wiser course to rehearse your ad-libs before you ever gave voice to them, off the cuff, so to speak.
BRIAN EPSTEIN looked at each Beatle, in turn. “You don’t currently have a manager, do you?” They slowly shook their heads. “So, I take it then,” he added, cautiously, “that there’s no one that negotiates your fees or that deals with your engagements on a regular basis?”
They shook their heads. After a lengthy silence, Bob Wooler made as if to speak, but it was Paul McCartney that spoke up. “As I said, last time, Brian, Pete sorts out our diary of engagements, usually. Helped of course by his mum, Mona. She owns the Casbah Club, like. But other than that, no, we don’t have a proper manager. So we generally take whatever we can get.”
“Yes, I see,” said Brian Epstein.
“We take anything and everything we can get our bloody hands on, okay?” snapped John. “But we get lots of bloody work and we don’t have to go bloody begging for it, either, if that’s what you think.”
“No, no, John, I’m not inferring anything. It’s only that whatever you’re getting from people, I think you’re worth much, much more. And I think that all the promoters around Liverpool know that. That’s why you’re always in work, but really going nowhere at all.”
The silence this time was like a blanket of fog. The truth of Brian Epstein’s words hit hard, even though The Beatles had talked of little else for weeks. They were working harder and harder and becoming more and more popular every time they played, but were really just going round and round the same old circles. John, Paul, and George all shared a growing dread that, as big as The Beatles were around Merseyside, there was a very real danger that a proper recording contract, let alone greater fame and fortune, might elude them forever. Liverpool had very quickly and surprisingly turned into a dead end. And for once, drained of all their colourful banter, The Beatles stared back at the man who’d suddenly shone a bright light onto their deepest and darkest fear.
Brian Epstein smiled, almost bashfully. “As I told you, last Sunday, I don’t have much experience in these sort of things, but I’d very much like to look after your affairs.” He swallowed. “To put it simply, you do need a manager. The question is would you like me to do it?”
The Beatles sat as still as statues and just stared at him. He resisted the temptation to shoot his cuffs and instead re-read the points he’d written down on his notepad. He looked up. “If you did want me to manage you, I’d require fifteen per cent of your gross fees, on a weekly basis. In return, I would assume responsibility for arranging all of your bookings, which, let me stress, would be much better organised, far more prestigious, and would take you much further afield than all the venues you play here in Liverpool.
I would also make it a point that you would never again play a date for less than £15, except for your Cavern lunchtime sessions, where I will renegotiate your current fee of £5, so that it’s doubled to £10. With the number of people you attract to the club regularly, Ray McFall can more than afford it. Further, I will do my best to extricate you from the recording contract you signed with Mr Bert Kaempfert, in Hamburg. After which, I’ll use my influence as one of the largest record retailers in the north-west to get you a proper recording contract with a major British recording company.”
He looked down, aligned his notepad with the edge of the leather-bound blotting pad and carefully and deliberately placed his hands flat on the desk. Summoning up all his theatrical training, he composed his face into one of quiet confidence. “So, would you like me to manage you?” He looked at each Beatle, in turn, again, purposefully ignoring the ripples and currents in the silence.
John’s eyes slid sideways and he wrinkled his nose. Paul and George both coughed so as to conceal the slight nod of their heads. Only Pete Best held Brian Epstein’s gaze without regard to how his band-mates felt. This would dramatically change his role in the group and he wondered what his mother would think about it. After all, as she’d so often told him, it was really his group, wasn’t it? Pete Best and The Beatles. He was the one the girls always screamed and shouted for. Everyone said so.
Bob Wooler did his best to fade further into the background. After all, he’d often been one of those greedy Liverpool promoters Brian Epstein had just spoken about. It was time to keep a very still tongue.
John’s voice suddenly boomed out like a foghorn. “Right, then, Brian, you manage us. Where’s the contract? On yer desk, is it? Give it us, here, then, and I’ll sign it now.”
“I don’t have a contract for you to sign, John, because I didn’t want you to think I was being presumptuous. However, I promise, I’ll have one drawn up by the next time we meet.”
“Will it make a difference to what we play, Brian?” Paul asked.
“No, Paul, not at all. I just want to help present you in the very best light possible, ensure you’re always paid what you’re worth, and given the proper respect that is your due.”
This was the sort of stuff they wanted to hear. The Beatles nodded. At least three of them did. And so did Bob Wooler.
Bob Wooler was deep in thought. Even he’d underestimated the manager of NEMS. Brian Epstein’s timing had been impeccable. If he’d had the courage or the vision or the money, he might’ve had a go at managing The Beatles himself. As it was, he had enough on his plate tending to his turntable, his ever-expanding record collection, and arranging for groups to play at the Cavern and elsewhere. One thing he knew for sure, though, this latest development would put a good few Liverpool noses out of joint.
George Harrison scratched his nose, absentmindedly. “I think I better go now, go relax in a bubble bath. I need to ponder what the word ‘presumptuous’ means when it’s at home.”
Discover more about this important time in Beatles history in Tony’s great book, The One After 9:09
A DISAFFECTED LIVERPOOL TEENAGER BECOMES INVOLVED WITH THE BEATLES WHEN HE’S HIRED TO HELP PREVENT THE MURDER OF THE GROUP’S MANAGER, BRIAN EPSTEIN.
PURCHASE ON AMAZON
Kindle from $2.99 and Paperback from $6.99
After having seen The Beatles at The Cavern, Brian Epstein had decided to become The Beatles’ manager. However, he had to convince them first. He summoned them to his office at NEMS and he was about to meet the group, but it wouldn’t go smoothly. Tony Broadbent, in an excerpt from his book, The One After 9:09, looks at this historic meeting.
The Beatles were coming to see him. Brian Epstein adjusted his tie for the umpteenth time and tried to stay calm. Over the last four weeks he’d seen ‘the boys’ perform many times at the Cavern. Had made a point of chatting to them on each and every occasion. Today was to be the first sit-down meeting at his office. He tried to work, but found himself fidgeting with excitement. So he went downstairs, into the store, aimlessly straightened a few things, then stood and looked out at a deserted Whitechapel.
There was little foot traffic, but that was quite normal for an overcast Sunday afternoon. He did notice, though, that what passers-by there were stopped to admire the store’s window-display, which was all very gratifying and a small thing, perhaps, but his own. Brian was shopkeeper enough to hope the interest shown would translate into Christmas sales. He consulted his wristwatch, winced, cleared his throat, shot his cuffs, blinked, and adjusted his tie again.
He’d toyed with the idea of wearing an open-necked shirt, silk cravat, and tweed sports-coat. All perfectly acceptable weekend wear. But as this could well be the beginning of a formal relationship with the group, he’d opted for workday business attire. It always paid to make the right impression. He looked at his watch again. They were now very late. He began to colour at the thought they might not come, at all, but as the flat grey December light slowly began to fade and the store darkened around him, he could do nothing but wait—and wait.
“Hey ‘oop? Is anyone in there? Mister Epstein, sir? It’s us.”
The banging on the store’s front door awoke him from his reverie and he quickly went to unlock it. There were only three Beatles standing there. He tried not to look too surprised.
“Hello. Thank you for coming. Let’s go up to my office, shall we? I see Paul isn’t with you. He’s not ill or anything, is he?”
“No, he’ll be along in a minute, Mr Epstein, sir,” replied John Lennon. “He probably just forgot to wind his watch.” The other two Beatles nodded in agreement.
He nodded, and led the way upstairs, but even after half-an-hour of strained conversation there was still no sign of Paul McCartney. He tried to still his growing frustration and the creeping sense of dread his dream was already stillborn. Almost at his wit’s end, he turned to the Beatle sitting nearest the door. “George, I wonder if you’d give Paul a ring…find out why he’s so late. I’d hate to think it was something serious. You can use the phone in the outer office.” The youngest Beatle raised his eyebrows in mock surprise, nodded, and left the room.
He smiled a thin-lipped smile at John Lennon and Pete Best, then turned and looked out of the window at the darkening Liverpool night. John pulled a face and retreated behind a handy copy of Mersey Beat. Pete did the same. And after more moments of pained silence, broken only by the murmuring from the outer office and the rustle of John’s newspaper, George came back into the room. He gently closed the door behind him, turned, and said, very calmly, “Paul’s just got up from having a nap. And he says he’s now going to have a bath.”
Brian Epstein was incredulous. “But this…this is disgraceful behaviour. It means he’s going to be very, very late arriving.”
George nodded. “He’ll be very clean, though, won’t he?” he said, eyes twinkling, a slow smile twisting into a lopsided toothy grin. John sniggered behind the now shaking pages of Mersey Beat. Pete turned away; bit his lip. Brian Epstein blinked and blinked and blinked and suddenly his irritation completely dissolved and he started to laugh, not realising he’d just taken his first real step into the strange new world of Beatles.
When Paul finally arrived, more than an hour later, Brian Epstein was already manager enough to realise a change of scenery was called for and he suggested they all decamp to a local milk bar. Once he’d paid for everyone’s coffee and biscuits, there was little time left to beat about the bush. “Look, I don’t really know too much about managing a group, such as yours, but with all the contacts I have with the major record companies, in London, I feel certain I can help you and be of real assistance in your future endeavours. And, if you were prepared to go along with me and give me a chance, I feel sure we can do something really special together.”
The four Beatles listened intently to what Brian Epstein had to say. They appreciated his candour regarding his experience or, rather, the lack of it. They were already very wary of people who tooted their own horns too much. What really got to them was the magic word ‘London’. That’s where the real pot of gold was to be found—a recording contract with a major record label. It was, also, the very first time anyone had ever seriously asked about managing them. They’d be the first to admit they needed proper guidance if they were ever to achieve any real success. Still, they didn’t want to be rushed into anything, by anybody, however honest and charming they might seem.
When Brian Epstein had finished, John glanced at Paul, George and Pete, then back at their would-be manager. “Well, that’s all very nice, Mr Epstein, sir. We’ve all enjoyed the coffee and bikkies, and we definitely appreciate your interest in us. But you’ve given us a lot to chew over for one night. Plus, we’ve got to go play the Casbah Club, over in West Derby, before bedtime. So if it’s alright with you, like, we’ll just sleep on it.”
“Of course, of course. I mean, I wasn’t suggesting anything be resolved tonight.” He stood up, his hands open, his heart on his sleeve. “Thank you for hearing me out. And in closing, may I say once again how very special I think you all are, as individuals, and as a group.”
Paul nodded, smiled, and held out his hand. “Thank you, for your interest, Mr Epstein. We’ll definitely think about it.”
He grasped the opportunity. “Then perhaps we could all meet later in the week to discuss any further questions you might have?”
Paul glanced at John, who nodded back.
“Yeah, okay then, Mr Epstein. Later this week, it is.”
“Would Wednesday afternoon be too soon? Only it’s half-day, early closing at the store, and you’re booked to play the Cavern that evening, so you could come over before that, couldn’t you?”
He knew their schedule. That was flattering. It said a lot.
“We could,” George drawled, “once we’ve all taken a bath, like.”
Get Tony’s fascinating book, The One After 9:09 here
A DISAFFECTED LIVERPOOL TEENAGER BECOMES INVOLVED WITH THE BEATLES WHEN HE’S HIRED TO HELP PREVENT THE MURDER OF THE GROUP’S MANAGER, BRIAN EPSTEIN.
PURCHASE ON AMAZON
Kindle from $2.99 and Paperback from $6.99
Debbie Greenberg never missed a Beatles gig at The Cavern and she has some amazing memories. One of the most important Cavern appearances was when Brian Epstein came to see The Beatles for the first time.
“The Beatles had played a few numbers with Tony Sheridan in Hamburg, including “Ain’t She Sweet”, but the one that sticks in my memory is “My Bonnie”. When The Beatles played these songs at the Cavern they were absolutely brilliant. I think Tony had a big influence on how The Beatles dressed and moved. John Lennon copied Tony’s posture, holding his guitar high up on his chest.
“Tony was very talented but by all accounts a force to be reckoned with. His mood could change in an instant. It must have been difficult to work with somebody so unpredictable. They had first met when both were playing for a season at the Top Ten Club in Hamburg. German band leader Bert Kaempfert had spotted them and arranged for them to cut a disc of “My Bonnie” together, which was released in Germany.
“News of this record filtered back to Liverpool and one fateful day, Saturday 28th October 1961, a Liverpool teenager called Raymond Jones went into NEMS record store to ask about the disc. Situated on Whitechapel, NEMS was just a stone’s throw from Mathew Street and the Cavern. The young store manager was Brian Epstein, who prided himself on being able to source any record that had been officially released. After hearing the track with its throbbing beat he was intrigued.
Brian asked his assistant, Alistair Taylor, to arrange a visit to the nearby Cavern to see The Beatles at one of the lunchtime sessions. He got there on 9th November 1961 with Alistair and saw The Beatles play for the first time.
Epstein was entranced by their performance – and by the Cavern, the place he later called a “cellar full of noise.”
However, Brian Epstein was not the first candidate for the position of Beatles manager. A Liverpool-based promoter called Sam Leach, who regularly organised dances and live shows in local venues, frequently hired the Beatles. As he was giving them regular work and they were all very good friends, he suggested he should become their manager.
The group agreed and on the strength of a handshake with John Lennon, the group’s leader, he thought he’d secured the position as their first manager.”
As we know, after seeing The Beatles, it was Brian Epstein who would become the group’s manager and take them to the toppermost of the poppermost.
Get Debbie’s book on the story of the Cavern Club.
This first-hand account of Debbie’s teen years frequenting and eventually helping to run the original Cavern Club is the authentic inside story of the Beatles launch pad, full of triumphs and failures – and surprise celebrity encounters.
In the latest in his series on Beatles merchandise, Terry Crain takes a look at the Beatles Skateboard.
Whoa, dude! If you needed to catch some rays and hang ten with the lads, a Beatle skateboard was your item of choice. Surf Skater Company, Incorporated., 39th and Killam Avenue, in Norfolk, Virginia, manufactured a skateboard – the employees probably tested the boards in the street while on break!
Isaac Glazer founded the Surf Skater Company. Glazer was a member of the Army’s first Special Service Forces and a decorated World War II veteran, participating in the D-Day invasion. He became a Doctor of Optometry and later, founder and president of Surf Skater. Glazer died in 2007.
The skateboard, available in three sizes and various colors, was basically a wooden board with metal wheels. The large, bold type, “The Beatles Skateboard,” was featured on the board next to the Dezo Hoffman group photo. The skateboard container had a graphic drawing of the group with embellished colorful stripes. Collector Dennis Dailey whimsically noted, “It actually looks like they spent more time and energy into designing the box than the skateboard.”
A press release was published in Playthings magazine, December 1964 issue, on page 73, stated:
“Beatles Skate Board in 3 Models Now Available from Norfolk Firm
Available for immediate delivery are three models of The Beatles Skateboard, a new addition to the line of Surf Skater Company, Inc., 39th and Killam Avenue, Norfolk, Va. The Beatles have given the company the exclusive rights for the manufacture of the items. Model #210-B measures 18½” by 5¾by ¾”, #2100 B is 27″ by 6½” by 1-1/16″, and #2200-B has dimensions of 32″ by 6½” by 1-1/16″. Made of quality wood and painted in attractive colors, each features a steel wheel assembly attached with rust-preventive cadmium-plated nuts and bolts. Rubber-cushioned for faster steering and greater turning action, this assembly consists of a rigid flat steel plate attached to Union Hardware wheels with bright dust covers. Decorating the board are its name and a picture of the Beatles, which can be easily peeled off and kept as a souvenir. The skateboards are packaged in two-color cartons.”
Surf Skater Co. Inc. was named in a NEMS Enterprises, Ltd vs. Seltaeb, Incorporated lawsuit filed in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, First Judicial Department, dated: New York, New York, July 6, 1965.
Get your copy of Terry’s excellent book on The Beatles Merchandise
The book covers the approximately 150 licensed items that dotted store shelves and helped fuel the band-crazed fan during the time right after the band landed in America and performed on The Ed Sullivan Show. Toys, games, dolls, jewelry, clothing, wigs, and more!
httpss://tredition.com/authors/terry-crain-10928/nems-and-the-business-of-selling-beatles-merchandise-in-the-u-s-1964-1966-paperback-2737/
The Cutting Edge (Hardback Limited Edition)
£25.00
The Beatles Peg Dolls
£25.00
Lark Lane
£4.00 – £30.00
The Liver Building
£4.00 – £30.00
Anfield - Liverpool FC
£4.00 – £30.00