The First Book to Reveal the True Story of How The Beatles Broke America
Author: Andrew Cook
RRP: £20
Format: Hardback
Publication Date: October 23, 2025
A seemingly chance remark on the stairs at Peter Morris Music in London’s Denmark Street in October 1963 ignited a chain reaction. This pivotal moment provided Brian Epstein with the leverage he desperately needed against America’s Hollywood-based Capitol label.
While February 1963 marked The Beatles’ breakthrough in Britain, by the end of that year, America remained unconquered. Their manager, Brian Epstein, had been fighting a seemingly losing battle to persuade Capitol to release the band’s records in the US. How did that chance encounter in Denmark Street finally force Capitol’s hand?
When The Beatles eventually hit it big in the US in February 1964, both Epstein and Capitol executives obscured the true story of how this phenomenon occurred. However, newly accessed corporate and personal archives now reveal the reality, and much more.
This book exposes the inherent conflict between The Beatles and the very record label that propelled them to superstardom. It lifts the lid on Capitol’s perception of the British record industry as being decades behind the times, leading them to remix UK master tapes and create distinct US albums. While Capitol’s strategy brought The Beatles unimaginable wealth, Epstein is shown struggling to balance the label’s commercial decisions against the band’s artistic demands.
Furthermore, this account delves into Capitol’s extensive PR efforts to protect The Beatles’ image as they were swept up in the whirlwind of worldwide success.
Andrew Cook is an accomplished author and TV consultant, with contributions to The Times, Guardian, Independent, BBC History Magazine, and History Today.
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