Fact #53326
When:
Short story:
Manager Brian Epstein writes to Bert Kaempfert of Polydor Records in Germany, Europe, asking them to release The Beatles from their recording commitments.
Full article:
Successful German orchestra leader Bert Kaempfert was also the chief A + R man/producer for Polydor Records. While The Beatles were working in Hamburg, Kaempfert made a number of recordings on which The Beatles backed rock vocalist Tony Sheridan. On 20 February 1962, when Brian Epstein was trying to get the group a UK record deal, he wrote to Kaempfert and politely asked him to let the group out of its Polydor contract. As Tony Sheridanhas tactfully put it, "the silly bastard let them out of the contract for nothing."
Kaempfert, of course, wasn't the only one who missed out on The Beatles' millions in the early sixties. Alan Williams, the Liverpool club owner who relinquished their management contract to Brian Epstein wrote a book about his loss; Pete Best, their sacked drummer, has written more than one; and Dick Rowe, the Decca A + R man who turned down the moptops, has become a music industry legend.
Hal Fein (music publisher, associate of Bert Kaempfert] : Epstein didn't know who they were or where they were from. He found out that Bert and I had their recording contract and had produced the record. He also learned that The Beatles were playing at a local pub.
Brian Epstein contacted Bert. He said he was interested in the boys and could do a lot for the boys.
Alfred Schact (German music publisher) : I advised Bert to agree. After all, the boys were young and they weren't getting anywhere with this german company. Someone told me later that Paul said how grateful he was they'd got their release so easily. They didn't know I had anything to do with it.
Hal Fein : Kaempfert released the contract with No Strings attached, lock, stock and barrel. The reasons Bert did it were these: He knew that with the boys living in England and Bert living in Germany, he couldn't run his own affairs and manage them, too. Kaempfert took Epstein's word when he said he would do everything he could to help the boys. And he knew that I couldn't take care of them because I was laid up in bed.
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Kaempfert, of course, wasn't the only one who missed out on The Beatles' millions in the early sixties. Alan Williams, the Liverpool club owner who relinquished their management contract to Brian Epstein wrote a book about his loss; Pete Best, their sacked drummer, has written more than one; and Dick Rowe, the Decca A + R man who turned down the moptops, has become a music industry legend.
Hal Fein (music publisher, associate of Bert Kaempfert] : Epstein didn't know who they were or where they were from. He found out that Bert and I had their recording contract and had produced the record. He also learned that The Beatles were playing at a local pub.
Brian Epstein contacted Bert. He said he was interested in the boys and could do a lot for the boys.
Alfred Schact (German music publisher) : I advised Bert to agree. After all, the boys were young and they weren't getting anywhere with this german company. Someone told me later that Paul said how grateful he was they'd got their release so easily. They didn't know I had anything to do with it.
Hal Fein : Kaempfert released the contract with No Strings attached, lock, stock and barrel. The reasons Bert did it were these: He knew that with the boys living in England and Bert living in Germany, he couldn't run his own affairs and manage them, too. Kaempfert took Epstein's word when he said he would do everything he could to help the boys. And he knew that I couldn't take care of them because I was laid up in bed.