The Beatles' music publisher. Born Richard Leon Isaac Vapnick, James entered the music business as a singer. In 1942 he recorded with the Primo Scala's Accordian Band and in 1955 scored a hit with "Robin Hood", the theme for the British TV series of the same name. The recording, released on the Parlophone label, was produced by the young George Martin.
When Brian Epstein, unhappy with EMI publishing subsidiary Ardmore and Beechwood's less than energetic plugging of "Love Me Do", asked Martin to recommend a publisher, he mentioned Dick James. Epstein played James the Beatles' follow up, "Please Please Me". Immediately, the publisher called up an old friend, producer of one of the most influential music shows on British television, Thank Your Lucky Stars. Upon hearing "Please Please Me" over the phone, the producer agreed to put the Beatles on the show.
After such a display of power, Epstein couldn't refuse James' offer to publish the group's compositions. James formed Northern Songs, which gave 20% ownership each to John and Paul, 10% to NEMS Enterprises and reserved 50% for himself. Within a short time, this arrangement made him a millionaire.