In love with John Lennon and addicted to sedatives: Tragedy of Brian Epstein and his years with The Beatles

At lunchtime on Wed­nesday, November 9, 1961, failed schoolboy (seven different schools, expelled from two, no qualifications), failed drama school student (left after three terms) and failed soldier (sent home for being “unfit” – gay), Brian Epstein left his successful record shop in Liverpool’s Whitechapel and headed out on a mission.