1962-63: British Touring
The group was under Brian Epstein's management.
Brian Epstein was the Beatles manager from 1961-1967. During the first two years under his management, touring was relentless. When they did make it into the recording studio between scheduled performances, it was usually for only one day. They often recorded their songs in a 24-48 hour hiatus from touring. One such example is From Me To You (take 1 and 2). It was recorded in 13 takes. The song was recorded on two-track tape on March 5, 1963.
Brian changed their image, the way they performed on stage and made them into 4 cute tailored mop-tops. But there were numerous problems that threatened each of their personal lives. The first thing that disappeared was their privacy. They were soon mobbed wherever they went. To top it off, Brian took 25% of their meager earnings.
The Beatles would never have succeeded without Brian's help, despite any negative consequences. The hits started to roll in during 1963 and soon Brian was looking overseas to promote his boys. He took a liking to Pete Best, their drummer in 1961 and rumours floated around that he had an affair with John in Spain. They all knew he was a homosexual.
- In 1962, Brian met George Martin at EMI and managed to get them a recording contract. Initially, all that he was promised was an audition and 2 singles. If these singles didn't sell, they'd be back on the streets again. When Love Me Do was released, Brian decided to buy 10,000 copies -- enough to push it to No. 17 on the billboards.
In 1962, the Beatles met George Martin at EMI. More than anyone else, he helped shape their music so that it was better organized and polished. It often took them over 20 takes to get things right. For their first album, they considered putting Hold Me Tight on their first album, but the entire session was wasted, to the recording engineer's annoyance. The song was delayed until their 2nd album.
Brian rarely came into the studio, but was aware of the progress they were making -- and when the studio changed to 4-track, they gave him a hit that was suitable to the American market: I Want To Hold Your Hand. Good enough to be recorded in German, the song was translated (Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand). While in Paris, they also recorded She Loves You and managed to lose the 2-track tape.
This is the 2-track audio they lost (instruments: left, vocals: right).