‘Fifth Beatle’dies..

Neil Aspinall, manager of the Beatles Apple Corps music empire and dubbed by many as the ‘Fifth Beatle’, has died.

Aspinall, who was aged 66, died on Monday at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York after suffering from what is understood to have been lung cancer. 

A childhood friend of Sir Paul McCartney and George Harrison, Aspinall worked as the band’s first roadie before being given a management role at Apple records, the band’s own record label.  Aspinall eventually became the chief executive of Apple Corps Ltd, a position which he stepped down from last year.

 

In a statement released on behalf of surviving Beatles Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and the widows of  George Harrison and John Lennon, Apple Corps said: “As a loyal friend, confidant and chief executive, Neil’s trusting stewardship and guidance has left a far-reaching legacy for generations to come”.

Helping make the group a moneymaking phenomenon decades after they split up, Neil Aspinall was also a fierce protector of the Beatles’ Apple empire. He instigated 3 lawsuits against Apple Computers on the grounds of infringement over the Apple name, leading to the payout of millions of pounds to Apple Corps.

The fond tag of ‘The Fifth Beatle’ has been said to have some meaning, as Aspinall can allegedly be heard singing backing vocals on various Beatles tracks, including Yellow Submarine and Magical Mystery Tour.

Apple Corps and the remaining Beatles members paid tribute to a close friend, saying:” All his friends and loved ones will greatly miss him but will always retain the fondest memories of a great man”.

Aspinall is survived by his wife Suzy and five children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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