Video: 'The Beatles Interviews: Meeting Brian Epstein'

(Thursday, November 9, 1961, approximately 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. GMT) — Liverpool record shop owner Brian Epstein, accompanied by his assistant, Alistair Taylor, and wearing a rather incongruous pinstriped suit, visited The Cavern Club, a rock and roll club, to watch The Beatles perform this afternoon.

Video: 'Brian Epstein interviewed (1964)'

Having seeing their name several times in Mersey Beat newspaper, and on posters around Liverpool, Epstein, 27, had become curious about The Beatles and Mersey Beat publisher Bill Harry arranged for him and Taylor to see them perform in Liverpool.

Video: 'Brian Epstein meets The Beatles in The Cavern (1961)'

Epstein and Taylor entered the band’s dressing room – “as big as a broom cupboard” – after the show. The Beatles recognized Epstein, with George Harrison opening the conversation by asking: “And what brings Mr Epstein here?”

Epstein watched The Beatles at the Cavern Club a number of times over the next few weeks. On Dec. 10, 1961, he suggested becoming the band’s manager. They signed a five-year management contract on Jan. 24, 1962.