The letter which is up for sale was part of a tranche of communications Epstein sent to “secret Beatle” Joe Flannery, a key figure in the Fab Four’s rise to fame.indipendent.ie
Brian Epstein’s letter about Pete Best (Omega Auctions/PA)
Brian Epstein’s letter about Pete Best (Omega Auctions/PA)
Flannery, who died last year aged 87, was the band’s booking manager from 1962-63, during the early history of the Fab Four.
On September 8 1962, Epstein wrote to tell him he had released Best from his contract.
He had told the Liverpool drummer three weeks earlier that he had to leave the band.
The letter has been kept by Flannery’s family and is now being sold by his nephew.
Epstein wrote: “I read from the Mersey Beat (Liverpool music publication) Pete Best has now joined The All Stars.
“I have sent, today, to him a certificate of release from his obligations under contract to myself.”
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To celebrate the 60th Beatles anniversary, Hamburg is inviting music fans from across the globe to experience the original Beatles location, the Indra Club in St Pauli: at http://www.stream-shout.hamburg as well as on Facebook and YouTube, the anniversary show on August 17 will be presented by Hamburg’s Beatles expert and musician Stefanie Hempel
Epstein added that he sent “our sincere wishes for Pete’s and the group’s continued success”.
Best previously spoke of how Epstein had told him at a meeting that he was being sacked and replaced by another drummer.
“I went in happy as Larry. The last thing on my mind was that I was going to get kicked out of the Beatles,” he told a BBC documentary.
“He (Epstein) said ‘Pete, I don’t know how to tell you this – the boys want you out … It’s already been arranged that Ringo will join the band on Saturday.’
“That was the bombshell. To me, it was like disbelief … I’ll wake up in the morning and this will be all gone.”
The collection, going under the hammer at Omega Auctions, also includes notes, post the Beatles, from Sir Paul to Flannery.
