Peter Brown (music manager)

Last updated

Peter Brown
Peter Brown (Brown Lloyd James).jpg
Brown in 2012
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Personal assistant, salesperson

Peter Brown is an American-based English businessman. After Brian Epstein recruited Brown to run the Epstein's music store in Liverpool, he became part of the Beatles' management team. He remained Epstein's and the Beatles' personal assistant until the band's dissolution. He helped found and served as a board member of Apple Corps and assumed Epstein's duties after the manager's death. He went on to establish several companies and resides in New York City.

Contents

Early Life

Brown was born in 1937, and grew up in Bebington, Cheshire in a middle-class Roman Catholic family. He completed his national service in the RAF before starting work for the Lewis's department store in his early twenties. [1]

Personal Life

Peter Brown lived at Chapel Street, Belgravia with Brian Epstein, and purchased his Kingsley Hill home with him. Brown was (allegedly) Brian Epstein's glorified prostitute and service top. [2] [3]

The Beatles

When the Epsteins opened a second store at 12–14 Whitechapel in Liverpool and put Brian Epstein in charge of the entire operation, Epstein often walked across the road to the Lewis's department store (which also had a music section), where Brown was employed. He watched Brown's sales technique and was impressed enough to lure Brown to work for NEMS with the offer of a higher salary and a commission on sales. [1] Brown became a confidant to the Epstein family and ran the music store for Epstein before becoming part of the Beatles' management team. [4] Brown was Epstein's and the Beatles' personal assistant during the 1960s, becoming Epstein's personal assistant in 1966 - prior to this his job role was officially ''personnel manager.'' [5] He was one of few to have direct contact with each Beatle, traveling worldwide with the band members and knowing their daily whereabouts.

Brown served as a board member and COO of Apple Corps, the Beatles' company, which he helped establish, alongside operating Beatles and Co. After Epstein's death, Brown assumed many of the day-to-day management duties Epstein had performed. [6]

Brown was witness to the wedding of Paul and Linda McCartney and best man and witness at the wedding of John Lennon and Yoko Ono during 1969, after arranging for the couple to be wed in Gibraltar in order to avoid legal restrictions. [5] [1] Lennon mentioned Brown in a line from "The Ballad of John and Yoko" ("Peter Brown called to say 'You can make it OK, you can get married in Gibraltar near Spain'"), one of the last Beatles singles. [5] After the takeover of Apple Corps by Allan Klein, Brown handed in his resignation New Years Eve 1969, after being asked to fire several close friends. [1] [7]

Post-Beatles Career

After the Beatles disbanded in 1970, Brown became president and chief executive officer of the Robert Stigwood Organisation. [5] In 1977, Brown formed the Entertainment Development Company. He founded Brown & Powers, a global public relations firm in 1983, which became Brown and Argus in 1994, Brown Lloyd James in 1996, and BLJ Worldwide in 2012.

BLJ Worldwide has been implicated in a number of controversies since it's inception - particularly due to the companies' alleged anti western stance and involvement in Middle Eastern politics - first revealed to the wider public eye after Brown chose to defend his work for the family of Colonel Gadhafi in a 2011 Financial Times article. [2] [8] [3] Other instances of alleged misconduct on behalf of BLJ include the firm's involvement in the controversial Vogue cover shoot featuring then Syrian First Lady Asma Al-Assad [9] and allegations of sabotage during the selection process for the 2022 FIFA World Cup on behalf of the Qatari government. [10]

Brown is chairman emeritus of Literacy Partners, a member of the US Steering Committee for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, a member of the board for British American Business, a member of the selection committee of the Lee Strasberg Artistic Achievement Award, and a board member of the American Associates of the National Theatre of Great Britain. [11]

Brown co-wrote with author Steven Gaines The Love You Make: An Insider's Story of The Beatles , a biography of the Beatles published in 1983. [5]

On the 11th of April 2024, Brown and Steven Gaines released their second book All You Need is Love: The End of The Beatles, a collection of interview transcripts recorded for the production of The Love You Make. The book also features general contextual commentary from both authors and an introductory chapter written by Brown. [12] [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Lennon</span> English musician and member of the Beatles (1940–1980)

John Winston Ono Lennon was an English singer, songwriter and musician. He gained worldwide fame as the founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles. His work included music, writing, drawings and film. His songwriting partnership with Paul McCartney remains the most successful in history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Beatles</span> English rock band (1960–1970)

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960, comprising John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the development of 1960s counterculture and the recognition of popular music as an art form. Rooted in skiffle, beat and 1950s rock 'n' roll, their sound incorporated elements of classical music and traditional pop in innovative ways. The band also explored music styles ranging from folk and Indian music to psychedelia and hard rock. As pioneers in recording, songwriting and artistic presentation, the Beatles revolutionized many aspects of the music industry and were often publicized as leaders of the era's youth and sociocultural movements.

The fifth Beatle is an informal title that has been applied to people who were at one point a member of the Beatles or who had a strong association with John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. The "fifth Beatle" claims first appeared in the press immediately upon the band's rise to global fame in 1963–64. The members have offered their own views as to who should be described with the title:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Epstein</span> British personal manager and impresario (1934–1967)

Brian Samuel Epstein was an English music entrepreneur who managed the Beatles from 1961 until his death in 1967.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derek Taylor</span> English journalist, writer, publicist and record producer

Derek Wyn Taylor was a British journalist, writer, publicist and record producer. He is best known for his role as press officer to the Beatles, with whom he worked in 1964 and then from 1968 to 1970, and was one of several associates to earn the moniker "the Fifth Beatle". Before returning to London to head the publicity for the Beatles' Apple Corps organisation in 1968, he worked as the publicist for California-based bands such as the Byrds, the Beach Boys and the Mamas and the Papas. Taylor was known for his forward-thinking and extravagant promotional campaigns, exemplified in taglines such as "The Beatles Are Coming" and "Brian Wilson Is a Genius". He was equally dedicated to the 1967 Summer of Love ethos and helped stage that year's Monterey Pop Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neil Aspinall</span> British music industry executive (1941–2008)

Neil Stanley Aspinall was a British music industry executive. A school friend of Paul McCartney and George Harrison, he went on to head the Beatles' company Apple Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magic Alex</span> Greek electronics engineer (1942–2017)

YannisAlexis Mardas, also known as Magic Alex, was a Greek electronics engineer who was closely associated with the Beatles. His nickname was given to him by John Lennon when he was involved with the group between 1965 and 1969, during which time he became head of Apple Electronics.

Apple Records is a British record label founded by the Beatles in 1968 as a division of Apple Corps Ltd. It was initially intended as a creative outlet for the Beatles, both as a group and individually, plus a selection of other artists including Mary Hopkin, James Taylor, Badfinger and Billy Preston. In practice, the roster had become dominated by the mid-1970s with releases of the former Beatles as solo artists. Allen Klein managed the label from 1969 to 1973, then it was managed by Neil Aspinall on behalf of the Beatles and their heirs. Aspinall retired in 2007 and was replaced by Jeff Jones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple Corps</span> Multimedia company founded by The Beatles

Apple Corps Limited is a multi-armed multimedia corporation founded in London in January 1968 by the members of The Beatles to replace their earlier company and to form a conglomerate. The name is a pun for its pronunciation "apple core". Its chief division is Apple Records, which was launched in the same year. Other divisions included Apple Electronics, Apple Films, Apple Publishing and Apple Retail, whose most notable venture was the short-lived Apple Boutique, on the corner of Baker Street and Paddington Street in central London. Apple's headquarters in the late 1960s was at the upper floors of 94 Baker Street, after that at 95 Wigmore Street, and subsequently at 3 Savile Row. The last of these addresses was also known as the Apple Building, which was home to the Apple studio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cynthia Lennon</span> First wife of John Lennon (1939–2015)

Cynthia Lennon was the first wife of John Lennon and the mother of Julian Lennon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alistair Taylor</span> English personal assistant of Brian Epstein (1935–2004)

James Alistair Taylor was an English personal assistant of Brian Epstein, the manager of the Beatles. As an employee at Epstein's company NEMS, Taylor accompanied him when he first saw the Beatles perform, at the Cavern Club in Liverpool on 9 November 1961. Taylor subsequently worked as the group's so-called "Mr. Fixit", devising escape routes from crazed fans and assisting the band members in purchasing property. He later became general manager of Apple Corps but was fired soon after Allen Klein arrived to address the company's financial problems. Taylor published various memoirs of his years in the Beatles' employ, including Yesterday: The Beatles Remembered and With the Beatles.

Kenwood is a house on the St George's Hill estate, Weybridge, Surrey, England. Originally called the Brown House, it was designed by architect T. A. Allen, and built in 1913 by Love & Sons, a local building firm. The estate was constructed around the Weybridge Golf Club, which was designed in 1912 by Harry Colt.

Northern Songs Ltd was a limited company founded in 1963, by music publisher Dick James, artist manager Brian Epstein, and songwriters John Lennon and Paul McCartney of the Beatles, to publish songs written by Lennon and McCartney. In 1965, it was decided to make Northern Songs a public company, to reduce their income tax burden.

The Beatles were an English rock band, active from 1960 until 1970. From 1962 onwards, the band's members were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Their break-up is attributed to numerous factors, including: the strain of the Beatlemania phenomenon, the 1967 death of manager Brian Epstein, bandmates' resentment of McCartney's perceived domineering, Lennon's heroin use and his relationship with Yoko Ono, Harrison's increasingly prolific songwriting, the floundering of Apple Corps, the Get Back project, and managerial disputes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seltaeb</span> Company set up in 1963

Seltaeb was a company set up in 1963 by Nicky Byrne to exclusively look after merchandising interests on behalf of Brian Epstein, who managed NEMS Enterprises and the Beatles: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.

The Beatles were a rock group from Liverpool, England. This timeline chronicles their activities.

The English rock band The Beatles auditioned for Decca Records at Decca Studios in West Hampstead, north London, on 1 January 1962. They were rejected by the label, who instead opted to sign a contract with Brian Poole and the Tremeloes. The audition was recorded, and five of the songs—"Searchin'", "Three Cool Cats", "The Sheik of Araby", "Like Dreamers Do" and "Hello Little Girl"—were officially released on the compilation Anthology 1 in 1995.

<i>The Love You Make</i> 1983 book by Peter Brown

The Love You Make: An Insider's Story of the Beatles is a 1983 book by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines. Brown was personal assistant to the Beatles' manager, Brian Epstein, a senior executive at Apple Corps, as well as best man to John Lennon at the latter's wedding to Yoko Ono in March 1969.

<i>The Beatles: The Authorised Biography</i> Authorised biography of the Beatles by Hunter Davies

The Beatles: The Authorised Biography is a book written by British author Hunter Davies and published by Heinemann in the UK in September 1968. It was written with the full cooperation of the Beatles and chronicles the band's career up until early 1968, two years before their break-up. It was the only authorised biography of the Beatles written during their career. Davies published revised editions of the book in 1978, 1982, 1985, 2002, 2009, and 2018.

Terence James Doran was an English luxury car dealer, pop music manager and music publishing executive, best known for his association with the Beatles. With Beatles manager Brian Epstein, he co-owned Brydor Cars in the 1960s, supplying sportscars to many figures in the Swinging London era, including the Beatles and members of the Rolling Stones and the Moody Blues. In 1967, he became the manager of Apple Publishing, the first appointment in the Beatles' Apple Corps business organisation. He also managed the Apple artists Grapefruit and Mary Hopkin. He was a personal assistant to John Lennon and then George Harrison. Throughout the 1970s, he worked as Harrison's estate manager at Friar Park in Oxfordshire and assisted in restoring the property.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Brown, Peter; Gaines, Steven (2002). The Love You Make: An Insider's Story of The Beatles. New York: New American Library. ISBN   978-0-451-20735-7.
  2. 1 2 "Ex-Beatles aide defends work for Gaddafi". www.ft.com. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  3. 1 2 Booth, Robert (16 May 2011). "Saif Gaddafi: dictator's son who mingled with British high society". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  4. ↑ Brown, Peter (5 November 2006). "The Beatles". Time . Archived from the original on 30 November 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Mewborn, Brant (1983) "Biography Tells Inside Story of Beatles", Anchorage Daily News , 7 May 1983, p. D9, retrieved 24 July 2011
  6. ↑ Roston, Eric (2013) "The Beatles vs. The Taxman: A Manager Recalls Yesterday", "Bloomberg Businessweek", 22 March 2013, retrieved 30 April 2013
  7. 1 2 Brown, Peter; Gaines, Steven (2024). All You Need Is Love: The End of The Beatles. Monoray. ISBN   9781800962330.
  8. ↑ "Against all the tenets of modern PR". www.ft.com. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  9. ↑ August 2018, Thomas Moore 01. "Behind BLJ: A look at the controversial firm's power players". www.prweek.com. Retrieved 14 May 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ↑ Insight (14 May 2024). "Qatar in black ops plot to poison rival World Cup bids". The Times . ISSN   0140-0460 . Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  11. ↑ William & Mary's Mason School of Business (2013) "Peter Brown, Founder of BLJ Worldwide", March 2013, retrieved 30 April 2013
  12. ↑ Sisario, Ben (1 April 2024). "Peter Brown, One of the Beatles' Closest Confidants, Tells All (Again)". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 13 May 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.