Brian Epstein, the famed manager of the Beatles, saw the band perform live for the first time at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England on November 9, 1961. Epstein, who was working as a manager at his parents’ music company, North End Music Stores (NEMS), had heard the band’s name several times and was convinced to see them by a friend.In an interview on his official website, Epstein recalls his first reaction to the band:“I was immediately struck by their music, their beat, and their sense of humour on stage — and, even afterwards, when I met them, I was struck again by their personal charm. And it was there that, really, it all started.”By that point several managers were vying for the Beatles including a man named Sam Leach, who booked them a show before 4,000 fans in Brighton that same week. The group eventually settled on Epstein because of his relationships with the record labels that sold albums at NEMS.