Epstein, two performance contracts signed for The Beatles at the Star-Club, Hamburg, November-December 1962

THE BEATLES

Two documents signed by Brian Epstein

performance contracts for The Beatles to perform at The Star-Club, both contracts also signed by Manfred Weissleder, confirming their terms of employment ("Work shall be Three hours a day. After 60 minutes of playing time, an intermission of Sixty minutes will be granted") and remuneration (each member receiving 600 DM/week under the first contract and 750 DM/week under the second), facing English and German texts, 1-14 November 1962 and 18-31 December 1962, punch holes

ON THE BRINK OF STARDOM: CONTRACTS FOR THE BEATLES FINAL HAMBURG GIGS. With 'Love me Do' in the charts and a rapidly building (and increasingly hysterical) fan-base in the UK, The Beatles were reluctant to return for these final Hamburg gigs but Brian Epstein insisted that they fulfil their contractual obligations. The pay was better than previously and they had the luxury of hotel rooms, but the band were now impatient for the next stage of their career to begin. The highlight of their November stint was the presence of Little Richard, who was the headliner at the Star-Club. They revelled in the rock 'n' roll pioneer's flamboyant stage-craft, got to know him off-stage and visited him at his hotel - where Richard may (or may not) have attempted to seduce Ringo. They spent a fortnight in Hamburg then returned to their relentless series of live performances in the UK, including regular lunchtime slots at the Cavern, evening gigs mostly in the Liverpool region, as well as live TV and radio appearances. They also made another trip to Abbey Road Studios (their fourth) to record their second single, 'Please Please Me', to be released in January 1963. When they returned to Hamburg in December they knew it would be their last session in the city. Familiarity with the city, and missing Christmas with their families, left them jaded with Hamburg and there were fewer "incidents" than previously, although John still managed to go on stage one night dripping wet, in his underpants, and with a toilet seat around his neck. 

PROVENANCE:

Manfred Weissleder; thence by descent

Please see shipping calculator link: click here.