The Beatles were the twentieth century’s most successful rock group. They completely dominated the popular music charts between 1964 and 1970, and their albums continue to sell well today.

In 1964, it seemed as if they’d come from nowhere. That’s not true, of course.

The Beatles struggled for years, playing the same old clubs over and over again. It seemed to them as if they were getting nowhere. This article takes a look at their early years, and the factors that lead to their ultimate success.

Hamburg, 1960

There were five Beatles in August 1960: John, Paul, George, Stuart and Pete. The group had been together in one form or another for 3 years, although the name The Beatles was a recent acquisition. They were just about to leave for Hamburg (Germany), to play clubs on the notorious Reeperbahn.

At this point in their careers, the group were not well regarded by other Liverpool bands. The Beatles then unofficial manager, Allan Williams, received a letter from another Liverpool group that were already in Hamburg. The letter pleaded with Williams, asking him not to send The Beatles to Hamburg. He told Williams they had a good thing going in Hamburg, but if he sends over that “bum group” it will ruin everything.

It’s clear from this evidence, that The Beatles were not born the accomplished musicians they would later became.

In fact, their experiences in Hamburg were essential to their ultimate success. They played a grueling schedule of up to seven hours per night. This forced them to expand their repertoire, and it gave them plenty of practice. The inevitable result was a marked improvement in their ability to play music, and entertain an audience.

The experience also hardened them, helping them to endure the grueling life they would experience as they struggled over the next three years.

Hamburg provided another vital element, when they provided the musical backing for Tony Sheridan on his recording of My bonnie lies over the ocean. This recording was intended only for German release, but as we’ll see, it found its way to Liverpool.

At the time, it must have been nothing more than a good laugh. I doubt providing backup for a rock and roll version of My bonnie lies over the ocean was high on the group’s “must do” list. And I’m certain it didn’t seem like the hand of fate, yet we can look back and note two interesting facts about that recording…

1. Pete Best couldn’t play that day, so the group borrowed a drummer from another band. His name was Richard Starky, a.k.a Ringo Starr
2. It was this recording that ultimately brought The Beatles to the attention of Brian Epstein

Brian Epstein, November 1961

Little had changed in The Beatles lives over the past two years. They were much better musicians, and had built a loyal fan-base in Liverpool. They were playing larger clubs, and were often asked to open for international acts. But what they really wanted was a recording contract, and that seemed unlikely.

The British music industry was controlled out of London, and had no interest in the musical world “up north.” Things must have looked pretty bleak for John, Paul, George and Pete (Stuart had left the band).

Then they met Brian Epstein.

Without Brian Epstein, you and I may never have heard of The Beatles. He was a crucial component in their success. Epstein had no personal interest in rock and roll. His interest was solely professional, as he managed the record section of his family’s retail empire.

The Beatles local Liverpool fan-base had discovered the My bonnie recording. Naturally, they sought it out, and started asking after it in record stores. Epstein became aware of this, and decided to find The Beatles and see what all the fuss was about.

When he saw the group perform, something about them appealed to him. There is plenty of speculation as to what it was that actually attracted him, but regardless of what his true motives may have been, he offered to be the group’s manager. They were dubious, until he promised to get them a recording contract.

It was Epstein that put The Beatles in suits, giving them a uniform appearance and making them more presentable to the music industry of the day.

Epstein was able to put his family’s retail chain behind the group, which ought to have improved their chances of a record deal, because he could guarantee a certain minimum level of sales. Despite this, the major record labels weren’t interested in The Beatles.

Epstein was rejected everywhere he went.

Both Epstein and The Beatles must have been disheartened, receiving nothing by rejection everywhere they went. I’m sure Epstein’s family were also concerned at the money and effort being wasted on their son’s latest lost cause.

It’s interesting to note that Epstein didn’t give up, and that he was prepared to try anything to get “his boys” a contract. His dogged persistence eventually paid off, when he walked into the office of George Martin.

George Martin, June 1962

George Martin wasn’t a rock and roll producer. His C.V. Included comedy albums, and light classical recordings. Despite this, he became interested in the demo recording Epstein played for him.

He was even more enamored of the group when he met them. He agreed to set about making their first official recording.

Martin’s musical ability, breadth of experience, imagination and skill would later go on to shape The Beatles musical development. It was Martin that made it possible for them to take popular music in directions nobody ever dreamed of in 1962. For example, it was Martin who suggested they use a string quartet on McCartney’s haunting ballad “Yesterday.”

Without the musical knowledge and talent of George Martin, there’s a good chance The Beatles wouldn’t have gone on to completely dominate the popular music industry. And George Martin also had a more immediate impact on group.

It was Martin who requested The Beatles hire a session drummer to play on the recording, instead of Pete Best. The group had already been thinking about replacing Best, and this served as a catalyst. They brought in Ringo Star.

Was it all simply good luck?

The Beatles early years make for an interesting lesson about success. There must have been dozens of Liverpool bands equally as capable as The Beatles were in 1962. The question this raises is, were The Beatles simply lucky?

Yes, of course they were. It was The Beatles who met Brian Epstein. And it was Epstein who got them in front of George Martin. Without these two people, The Beatles may never have released a successful recording.

But luck isn’t the whole story. The Beatles also made their own luck…

• They knew what they wanted (a recording contract)
• They did the things a person must do to get a recording contract
• They didn’t give up

If The Beatles hadn’t recorded an album with Tony Sheridan, perhaps deciding that a recording of a children’s nursery rhyme was a silly idea, Brian Epstein is unlikely to have ever heard of them.

If The Beatles had stopped playing clubs, and gone out to get “proper” jobs, instead of “wasting their lives” in pursuit of a “foolish dream,” there would have been no group for Epstein to find.

If Epstein had been stopped by the natural discouragement that comes from being rejected by every major pop-music “expert” in the industry, The Beatles story may well have ended in Liverpool.

If Epstein had allowed himself to be influenced by the opinions of industry “experts,” or decided that a producer of comedy albums was unsuitable for “his boys,” John, Paul, George and Ringo may never have recorded anything.

You make your own luck

The fact is, everybody enjoys good luck from time-to-time. Some people seem to enjoy more luck than others, but we get a dollop every now and then.

The point is, if you’re not actively pursuing your dream, good luck may just come along when you’re engaged in some activity unrelated to your dream.

This is an unfortunate waste of good luck!

What if The Beatles had quit in dismay one day before Brian Epstein went looking for them? Had they done that, it wouldn’t have mattered how lucky they were.

There must have been times when playing for seven hours a day, in a seedy club on an even seedier street in a foreign country didn’t seem like good luck to The Beatles.

Yet without that experience, they’d never have recorded the album with Tony Sheridan. And they’d never have become good enough to gain the fans they needed to ask the questions that brought them to Brian Epstein’s attention.

Sometimes, good luck doesn’t seem like good luck.

Whatever your dream is, you must be actively involved in its pursuit to achieve it. Eventually, you’ll enjoy the good luck necessary to make it happen. This is how you make your own luck, and achieve success.

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