Brian Epstein was the manager of the Beatles from 1962 to 1967. He was an English music entrepreneur who discovered the band and guided them to international stardom. Epstein was responsible for the Beatles' professional image, negotiating their contracts and managing their public relations. He also helped them to secure recording contracts and bookings at major venues. Epstein's influence on the Beatles was so great that he was often referred to as the 'fifth Beatle'. His death in 1967 was a major blow to the band, and they never fully recovered from it.