EPPY'S BOYS

[13_temple_street]

The announcement of Brian Epstein’s tragic early death reverberated to every corner of the civilized world. His Butler discovered him dead in his bed at his house in Chapel Street, London. Epstein had acute Insomnia. He died from an overdose
Epstein’s performance in coping with running the business had been the subject of criticism. Peter Clarke observed when asked to comment on Brian Epstein’s demise (quote) This was the situation as I understand it:- Brian had felt increasingly isolated from ..’The Boys’ ........which was understandable, when you consider the uncharted territory they’d headed into ....He had made some atrocious decisions ...asking for under 10 per cent for a movie, when the producers were willing to pay a minimum of twenty-five percent. He did not have much success in backing West End musicals, or plays did not have a good history ......I think with all the ups and downs it was inevitable that depression would hit at some stage .....It’s a shame he did not have one solid friend… It seems to have been a procession of one-nighters… just a shame… cos’ he idolized The Beatles.......Hope this helps Pete.(quote ends)
After a short period of time, it slowly dawned on George, Ringo, John, and Paul that the person whom they relied on to manage their business affairs was no longer amongst them. They were musicians and writers; dealing with high-powered promoters and astute businessmen was not in their gift. Three of the four were definitely capable of making decisions. Only a few months before Brian Epstein’s tragic demise, three of the four decided to SACK THEIR DRUMMER. The group was on the verge of success, having the possibility of a waxing they had written and recorded. was about to be released to the general public. Pete had every reason to be inspired; in fact, the Beatles had succeeded by leaps and bounds since Pete was invited to join the group. Before Pete’s inclusion in the group, they had no drummer. They were travelling to gigs on the bus. Pete's mother, Mona, changed all that. She bought them a minibus and also organised a driver. Mona also started to do admin work for the group, organising bookings and attending some of the group's performances. Mona had been spotted. By one bright group supporter, he was attending a performance by the Beatles at the Majestic Ballroom in Birkenhead (quote I was surprised to observe Mona Best leaning against a wall dressed in an expensive-looking fur coat listening to the music and to collect the money on behalf of the group. (quote ends) On the verge of success, Peter Best was dumped. Not a sign of remorse from any member of the group. Much later, the Beatles did recompense Pete Best from the sales of the anthology. Mona continued to talk to the Beatles and Epstein. She was extremely upset; she is recorded in conversation with Rory Storm's mother: “ I did a lot for those boys”.
IN 1968, THE Beatles moved from the offices they had occupied with Brian Epstein since moving to London. They purchased a large five-story building, No 3 Saville Row, London, and moved in on July 15th, 1968.
. Savile Row was still the home of traditional men’s tailoring, seemingly unaffected by the social changes taking place around it. The insertion of Apple Corps into this staid and conservative business environment was something of a culture shock. The enterprise was chaotically run and while the individual Beatles made a stab at acting like ’normies’ by attending meetings and making decisions, they soon got bored with it. Apple employees ordered drugs and booze on company expenses and whiled away their working days. The office had an in-house astrologer and tarot card reader, as well as an employee whose job it was to roll joints and mix drinks. There was also a secretary who was responsible for gathering all the drugs in the building and flushing them away in the women’s loos if there was ever a police raid. Remarkably, Apple Corps HQ was never busted.
Peter Clarke Clarkie) was thrust into this environment. In 1968, Peter received a message from George Harrison via Jackie Lomax of the Undertakers to join him at the newly acquired building No 3, Saville Row, London.He informed Peter that he would be working for the recently established company Apple Corps Ltd. This limited company was the brain child of Paul McCartney’s attempt to try and stabilise the runaway, rudderless group. George explained to the newly arrived Peter that Apple Corps Ltd were hoping to establish a resident staff group based in the newly opened basement. George explained that Peter would be in charge and responsible for acquiring the musicians. Peter Clarke’s first telephone call was to Billy Kinsley a member of The Mersey Beats, a prominent Liverpool Group
Quote) Billy was with ....Me.....My first call at APPLE (before anyone said I could not do such a thing) was to Will. Now bear in mind, I had done my first session for George just 24 hours before. The call went like this, ‘What are you doing ?” ( Will) Nothing much, you know, just going out with Tony, doing the usual(working men's clubs) stuff (Moi ) ‘ Would you like to stop being a Pop- Star for a while and be a Musician instead? (Will) Why, where are you? ( Moi) IN a devilish tone. Number 3 Saville Row. HaHaHaaaa Ha .....He turned to Sandra and said San. I’m going to London. About 3 hours and 45 minutes later, he came through the front door with an Apple bag over his left shoulder and a Thunderbird Bass in a Gibson case in his right hand. Nobody said stop! What the hell are you doing? ,So I KEPT ON GOING ? .
Next call? Paul Pink! Are ya getting the picture? These are people I knew intimately from Storyville, and that, my dear friend, is because of you.
Peter continues with his quest to contact musicians whom he knows and can work with
Billy Kinsley.
Tim Renwick.
Chris Hadfield.
Paul Pilnck.
Peter Clarke
This is Peter Clarke’s chosen band, who are now established in the basement of Number 3, Saville Row, London. The basement of the building has been converted into a magnificently furnished space and a recording studio. Clarkie writes about a meeting with Paul McCartney shortly after he has formed the group of musicians he intends to work with. (Quite Now here’s the other side of things. At the same time as Yoko was isolating John, Allan Klien shows up, invited by John by way of the Stones (Klien used to advise and manage the Rolling Stones). Paul does not like the idea, and for a very good reason, his father–in–law, George Eastman, was a civil Litigation Attorney in New York City. He had more knowledge of Mr Klien than anyone else ..Mr Klien was barred from business practice in New York State. Had been charged with fraud in The City & was under investigation by the I.R.S., so, being a good father-in-law, he told his son-in-law Paul that Mr Klien was a crook. Which is exactly what he was. I was there the night Macca went to the first meeting. Afterwards, on the way downstairs, Paul comes up with, ‘You never give me my money. ' ‘ You only give me.... etc etc. He walks straight into the basement, where he had left Donovan with Will Kinsley and I about an hour before, saying, “ Ive got a meeting upstairs; I’ll be back in a bit ‘. They were supposed to be going out for dinner, but Macca came over to Will and I said, Ive just written a song coming down the stairs, and if you (Will) you don’t play it (Moi) for at least 30 minutes” When you wake up tomorrow (Moi) ‘you won’t have a song” (Macca) Exactly’ One other thing everybody goes on about Paul and his publishing company That was happenstance.He asked his father –in-law George ...What should I invest our money in?.George said What do you know about ?. Macca said songs I know songs. George replied Then buy songs”......So, me Dear thats how the split came it didn’t help that Macca used to play Musical Director ( he was right nearly all the time) , at rehearsals. However, if you know who hadn’t isolated John, He would have been a lot quicker of the mark when it came to seeing Mr Klien for what he was: a crook. Lennon did lots of love, Peter.

[admin]

Eppy's Boys is a most interesting dive into a period of chaos and transition for the Beatles following the death of Brian Epstein. Your comments have revealed the presence of unsettling times in the early days and underscores the fragility of the moment. For those avids across the pond many would never known the serious blow to the Bealtes' future with the loss of their manager and fan. Your comments regarding the departure of Pete Best and the supportive role of his mother in the beginning explains the betrayal felt by Pete Best. These were fragile times that I dare say were not evident to the majority of fans at the time. Thanks for this perspective from someone who was in the know at the time, Geoff.