Jules Stein
Family

Stein's parents were both Jewish and lived in Lithuania, a small country in Northern Europe where more than 200,000 Jews had lived before World War I (at which point majority got executed by the Germans).

The turn of the XIX/XX century marked massive Jewish migration to United States. These fresh new pastures were seen by them as an attractive alternative to Europe, which suffered from poverty and was partly hostile towards Jews. Many families decided to take the risk and travel (something that Jews are well-accustomed do), some gathered money and at least sent their children on their way.

Louis' original surname was Seimenski. When still young, he was sent on such travel. Not having any friends across the ocean, he at first earned pitiful money, but after some time managed to improve his situation and opened a dry goods store.

Louis' and Rosa's families knew each other and waited for Louis to settle to send him Rosa - an arranged marriage between the two was to take place.

Its fruits was five children (of which Jules was second). As was the norm at the time, the shop was in the same building where they lived and the offspring was expected to help with running the business from the early age.

Bill was tho oldest of the Stein family children. At first, it didn't look like he is up to much. The boy's ever-present quality was his sociability, but he paled in comparison to Jules who was the true family jewel. His early business ventures ended up a flop and financially he relied on his younger brother who hired him as a musician to play in hotels along Jules and his band.

The catch here was that Bill couldn't play any instument and Jules devised him a way to pretend like he is participating, when in fact the only notes he was playing were in his head. Ultimately, the scheme was discovered by the hotel staff and he got fired.

Jules kept finding him work and when the prodigious kid switched to the managerial side, he encouraged Bill to try and sign him more bands. And here was where the older brother has finally found himself at home.

Equipped with wit and a charming personality, Bill Stein hasn't found it hard at all to persuade people into joining Jules' promising new firm. What's more, he turned out to have a great nose for talent - something that his brother never had.

Billy wasn't the only family member working for Jules and wasn't the first one either, precided by his sister Adelaide. Jules Stein was always happy to help his family with work and financially when needed.

Among many artists that Bill discovered and signed, the biggest one was probably Guy Lombardo (back then he was playing in Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians). Kay Kyser from Kay Kyser and his Kollege of Musical Knowledge is another famous individual convinced.

Ultimately, even though profitability was not a primary concern for hiring Bill, their professional relationship has proven very beneficial for Jules. Bill enjoyed the reputation of one of MCA's top agents for majority of the organization's agential period.