MERSEY BEAT was a music publication in Liverpool, England in the early 1960s. It was founded by Bill Harry, who was one of John Lennon's classmates at Liverpool Art College. The paper carried news about all the local Liverpool bands, and stars who came to town to perform.
One of the paper's noted supporters was Brian Epstein, the future Beatles' manager, who wrote a regular column about new record releases available at NEMS Enterprises.
On 13 September 1964, Brian Epstein approached Harry to create a national music paper, so Harry coined the name MUSIC ECHO, and gradually merged MERSEY BEAT into it. Epstein had promised Harry full editorial control, but then hired a female press officer in London to write a fashion column and a D.J. to write a gossip column, without informing Harry of his intentions, and Harry resigned as a result.
Thank you to Eric Galzi for the improved image.
 24 April 1965, #8 |
 8 May 1965 |
 2 October 1965 |
Page updated on 2026-09-09
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