Philip Norman has spent decades writing about The Beatles, but Mr. Moonlight represents the first time he’s turned his full attention to Brian Epstein alone, and what emerges is a portrait far more complex than the one most people know.
In this interview with Jason Barnard, Norman reveals the extraordinary story of the Kray twins’ plot to exploit Brian’s gambling addiction and effectively seize control of The Beatles, the depth of antisemitism and homophobia Brian faced even at the height of his success, and new evidence surrounding the circumstances of his death that raises serious questions about the official verdict.
We also cover the ground that tends to get overlooked: Brian’s family history, his stints in the army and drama school, his instinct for a hit record, and the way he protected The Beatles from a fame that might otherwise have destroyed them. And the question Norman returns to throughout is the one that still rankles: why, given everything he did, does Brian Epstein remain so poorly recognised?
Further information
Philip Norman — Mr. Moonlight: Brian Epstein and the Making of the Beatles
