Born in England in 1944, Oldham originally attempted to forge a performing career of his own, appearing under stage names like "Sandy Beach" and "Chancery Lane" to little notice from the pop establishment. He soon turned to working as a publicist in the employ of Brian Epstein, later coming into contact with the renowned American producer Phil Spector, a key influence on Oldham's subsequent dealings. An effusive Rolling Stones concert review inspired him to investigate the group further, and after taking in a performance at the Crawdaddy club in Richmond, Oldham began ingratiating himself into the Stones' circle, gradually convincing them to break a handshake agreement with impresario Giorgio Gomelsky in order to let him take over their reins.