The Ballad of Mal and Beatles

[Greg]

This is one of a few things that disappoint me concerning the group.  I probably have more faults than they do, but this matter is just downright depressing.  I thought they would want to help such a devoted friend.

http://onlynorthernsongs.blogspot.com/2012/01/beatles-road-manager-and-gentle-giant.html

[lampie1970]

Wow. That IS pretty depressing. Not being there of course, you never know the reasonings that go on in someones head, but it does seem to be unpardonable. sad, indeed.

[2 of 3]

He wasn't the only one it seems. Midnight Caller by Badfinger is about a woman who was a receptionist at Apple and it was found out later that she turned to prostitution to get by after Apple folded.

[Greg]

Alistair Taylor mentioned that he was just sad when none of them would return his calls or speak to him after he was fired.  He had really given his all to them for a fairly meager wage.  He was actually very close to them too.  esp Paul.  It's prob not good to place blame.  It is a collection of tragic circumstances.  Heather Mills ends up with millions and Mal ends up with in an apartment...dead. 

[lampie1970]

I was reflecting on this some more, as I have tendency to do when I dont understand something. and I was just running scenarios. since I am not a celebrity of any kind, I really have no idea, but in my imaginings, i imagine that the boys were very insulated. at some points in their careers they probably never wanted for anything, never had to wait for anything, and never had to deal with issues or problems. What that causes is a person that is a little emotionally immature (for all the lovely lyrics, yeah...). emotional immaturity causes bad decisions. they probably trusted the wrong people. the wrong people told them to do this or that because these wrong people had motives: they wanted their piece of the beatles. I imagine these "wrong people" didnt really care about them as people, or their friendships with other people. So they probably told lies, fed insecurities, back stabbed, and whatever it took to secure their positions in the empire (and wallet). And eventually the "this or that" was to turn their backs on people that really were "the ones there for the right reasons". Remember they were SO YOUNG when they were the beatles. I think about that and it blows my mind. I am 41 and still make crappy decisions all the time. I cant imagine being 21 and having it all sorted out already.

Part B: I also think this caused the pattern of austere in them after they left the beatles. It seems they all went to a place of doing for themselves at least for a while. Most notably of course is paul with the ranch. nobody (presumably) was there but him linda the kids. they did for themselves. All for themselves. or at least most.