1967 - The World of Brian Epstein and The Beatles: The address book that defined an era. An in conversation with GARY KEMP & SIMON HALFON

When I first saw Brian Epstein’s black Twinlock binder, I was struck by how small and unassuming it was – just 160 by 100 millimetres, the kind of thing you could slip into a coat pocket. But inside, it held a universe. The book felt alive, buzzing, ready and waiting to be explored. So I dug deeper.

Songwriting royalty Gary Kemp has been a Beatles fan all his life. When his love of all things Beatles took him to Sotheby’s, and legendary Beatles manager Brian Epstein’s address book was up for auction, he simply had to have it. Inside, Gary found a treasure trove of names and addresses which catapulted him into the world of the Beatles. But it also made him wonder - who really was Brian Epstein? And who are these names?

1967 – The World of Brian Epstein and the Beatles is a remarkable fusion of biography and detective story, as Gary tracks down the names in the address book and creates a vivid portrait of The Beatles’ inner circle. 1967 delves into an extraordinary cast of characters – from Mick Jagger to Cilla Black – to explore a dazzling society of celebrities, musicians, icons, power players and the occasional shady character.

Designed and illustrated with images sourced by BAFTA-nominated filmmaker, art director and close friend of over 20 years Simon Halfon, 1967 is more than just an address book: it is a time capsule of one of the most electrifying years in modern culture.

Copies of 1967 - The World of Brian Epstein and the Beatles will be available to but at the Festival and there'll be a dedicated book signing with Gary and Simon after their event.

About the Authors:

Gary Kemp is one of the UK’s most successful songwriters of the past 40 years, best known for writing the words and music for all 23 of Spandau Ballet’s hit singles. In 2012, he received the prestigious Outstanding Song Collection Award at the Ivor Novello Awards, and in 2023, was honoured with the BMI Icon Award at the BMI London Awards for his contributions to music and popular culture. Gary is the co-host with bassist Guy Pratt on the Apple #1 podcast Rockonteurs.

Simon Halfon is an art director and BAFTA-nominated filmmaker, best known for producing Wham! for Netflix and the award-winning Oasis documentary Supersonic, which he later adapted into a Sunday Times bestselling book published by Headline, his first feature SLEUTH written by Harold Pinter, directed by Kenneth Branagh and starring Michael Caine and Jude Law.

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