BRIAN'S DEATH (Room 321)
BRIAN'S DEATH (Room 321)
The Beatles with their wives and girlfriends, travelled to Bangor College, North Wales on August 25th 1967 in order to learn Transcendental Meditation and to spend time with The Maharishi. It began badly as Cynthia Lennon was left on the platform as the train left the station. The Beatles were horrified to discover a mob had learned of their trip and amongst the melee Cynthia was left stranded. She recalled later that this seemed to be symbolic of the break down of her marriage to John; worse, however was to follow. On the Sunday (27th August) Jane Asher passed the phone to Paul, who was the first to hear the terrible news that their manager Brian Epstein had been found dead in his London home. The Beatles were shocked and stunned. George talked about “Feeling lost” and Paul was “deeply upset”. John remarked “I cannot find words to pay tribute to him” and Ringo observed that The Beatles collectively “Owe so much to him”.
Brian Epstein had died of a drug overdose and to this day arguments rage whether it was suicide or it was accidental. There are plausible and reasonable arguments to support both theories. One fact was clear; The Beatles had become more autonomous from Brian outside the studio, in much the same way as they had become more independent from George Martin in the studio. With touring over, there was less day-to-day organising for Brian to attend to. The Beatles had come such a long way since Brian had first seen the Beatles at the Cavern on November 9th 9th 1961. Without a proper manager things were never the same after Brian’s death and many point to this event, as the beginning of the end for the band. Paul initially assumed a greater role in organizing the band and ultimately Allen Klein was appointed but nobody could ever replace Brian. Despite the Maharishi’s encouragement to think positive thoughts about Brian, the Beatles quickly retreated to London to face the media onslaught. “We knew we were in trouble” John later asserted.
Artwork painted and owned by ©SHANNON
BRIAN'S DEATH (Room 321)
The Beatles with their wives and girlfriends, travelled to Bangor College, North Wales on August 25th 1967 in order to learn Transcendental Meditation and to spend time with The Maharishi. It began badly as Cynthia Lennon was left on the platform as the train left the station. The Beatles were horrified to discover a mob had learned of their trip and amongst the melee Cynthia was left stranded. She recalled later that this seemed to be symbolic of the break down of her marriage to John; worse, however was to follow. On the Sunday (27th August) Jane Asher passed the phone to Paul, who was the first to hear the terrible news that their manager Brian Epstein had been found dead in his London home. The Beatles were shocked and stunned. George talked about “Feeling lost” and Paul was “deeply upset”. John remarked “I cannot find words to pay tribute to him” and Ringo observed that The Beatles collectively “Owe so much to him”.
Brian Epstein had died of a drug overdose and to this day arguments rage whether it was suicide or it was accidental. There are plausible and reasonable arguments to support both theories. One fact was clear; The Beatles had become more autonomous from Brian outside the studio, in much the same way as they had become more independent from George Martin in the studio. With touring over, there was less day-to-day organising for Brian to attend to. The Beatles had come such a long way since Brian had first seen the Beatles at the Cavern on November 9th 9th 1961. Without a proper manager things were never the same after Brian’s death and many point to this event, as the beginning of the end for the band. Paul initially assumed a greater role in organizing the band and ultimately Allen Klein was appointed but nobody could ever replace Brian. Despite the Maharishi’s encouragement to think positive thoughts about Brian, the Beatles quickly retreated to London to face the media onslaught. “We knew we were in trouble” John later asserted.
Artwork painted and owned by ©SHANNON
BRIAN'S DEATH (Room 321)
The Beatles with their wives and girlfriends, travelled to Bangor College, North Wales on August 25th 1967 in order to learn Transcendental Meditation and to spend time with The Maharishi. It began badly as Cynthia Lennon was left on the platform as the train left the station. The Beatles were horrified to discover a mob had learned of their trip and amongst the melee Cynthia was left stranded. She recalled later that this seemed to be symbolic of the break down of her marriage to John; worse, however was to follow. On the Sunday (27th August) Jane Asher passed the phone to Paul, who was the first to hear the terrible news that their manager Brian Epstein had been found dead in his London home. The Beatles were shocked and stunned. George talked about “Feeling lost” and Paul was “deeply upset”. John remarked “I cannot find words to pay tribute to him” and Ringo observed that The Beatles collectively “Owe so much to him”.
Brian Epstein had died of a drug overdose and to this day arguments rage whether it was suicide or it was accidental. There are plausible and reasonable arguments to support both theories. One fact was clear; The Beatles had become more autonomous from Brian outside the studio, in much the same way as they had become more independent from George Martin in the studio. With touring over, there was less day-to-day organising for Brian to attend to. The Beatles had come such a long way since Brian had first seen the Beatles at the Cavern on November 9th 9th 1961. Without a proper manager things were never the same after Brian’s death and many point to this event, as the beginning of the end for the band. Paul initially assumed a greater role in organizing the band and ultimately Allen Klein was appointed but nobody could ever replace Brian. Despite the Maharishi’s encouragement to think positive thoughts about Brian, the Beatles quickly retreated to London to face the media onslaught. “We knew we were in trouble” John later asserted.
Artwork painted and owned by ©SHANNON