Neil Aspinall- R.I.P.

[mervap]

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1310441,00.html

Beatles' Pal Neil Aspinall Dies
Updated:19:06, Monday March 24, 2008

Neil Aspinall, a close friend of the Beatles and the man who ran the Apple music empire, has died, his family has revealed.
 
Neil AspinallThe 66-year-old worked as a roadie and accountant for the band before becoming chief executive of Apple Corps.

He was known by some in the industry as the real "Fifth Beatle".

In a statement released on behalf of surviving Beatles Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the company described him as a "great man" who would be missed.

In the statement, also on behalf of Beatle widows Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison, 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.

"All his friends and loved ones will greatly miss him but will always retain the fondest memories of a great man."

Mr Aspinall went to school with McCartney and George Harrison at the Liverpool Institute for Boys.

When they started the band, he was their road manager and minder.

As their popularity grew, he stayed with them as an assistant and fixer until 1968, when he became manager of Apple Corps.

Taking on the role on the condition he would do it "only until they found someone else", he only quit the position last year.

He died in hospital in New York after a brief illness and is survived by his wife Suzy and five children.

Aspinall is credited with developing the Beatles brand and overseeing the recent publications of re-packaged Beatles music, film and memorabilia.

He acquired the rights to photographs and film footage that went into the making of the Beatles Anthology TV, video series and autobiography.

He also organised the relaunch of the Yellow Submarine film and CD, and the Anthology series of hits and out-takes, which he executive-produced.

The company said that during the last 20 years that he ran Apple, the Beatles sold more than 70 million albums.

In later years, he led Apple's legal dispute with Apple computers over logo rights, and a royalties dispute between the band and EMI.

He had a reputation for being extremely hard-nosed in business, fiercely loyal to the band and reluctant to speak to the media.

[Roger SB]

very sad news. Neil was a big help to the Beatles.

[lampie1970]

more, with cause:

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 Beatles' friend Neil Aspinall dies at 66 By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY, AP Music Writer


NEW YORK - Neil Aspinall, a longtime friend of the Beatles who managed their business enterprises and helped make the group a moneymaking phenomenon decades after they split up, has died. He was 66.

 
Aspinall's death was announced Monday in a statement from surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the widows of John Lennon and George Harrison, and the band's Apple Corps Ltd. company.

Aspinall died Sunday night at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, where he had been receiving treatment for lung cancer, according to Geoff Baker, who formerly represented both Aspinall and Apple Corps.

Aspinall's wife and five children were by his side; McCartney visited him before his death.

He was a childhood friend of McCartney and Harrison in Liverpool, England. While he didn't contribute musically, he played several key roles in support of the Beatles, most notably as the head of their Apple Corps business, which oversaw the commercial concerns of the group, including licensing.

"I've known Neil many years and he was a good friend. We were blessed to have him in our lives and he will be missed," Starr said in a statement Monday.

Harrison's widow Olivia and the couple's son Dhani said: "Neil takes with him the love and history of his extended family. He was our constant and avuncular caretaker for so many years; there is no way to measure how much he will be missed."

Aspinall and the late Mal Evans were the Beatles' roadies. Aspinall would drive them to gigs in his van before they became famous, and never left the band's tight-knit circle. He took over the management of Apple Corps in 1968, and continued to oversee the group's business affairs in the decades after they broke up in 1970.

As head of Apple Corps, Aspinall was executive producer of the hugely successful "Beatles Anthology" album and was behind other successes, including the "Beatles One" album and the recent Cirque du Soleil production "Love," which has been a hit in Las Vegas.

"As a loyal friend, confidant and chief executive, Neil's trusting stewardship and guidance has left a far-reaching legacy for generations to come," the band's statement said.

Aspinall stepped down from Apple Corps last year.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080324/ap_en_ot/obit_aspinall_13

[SavoyTruffle]

Ever since I was a kid I remember Neil's name looming large in the on-going Beatle saga. He'll be greatly missed by all who'll forever associate his name (along w/ Mal Evans, r.i.p)w/the fondest of musical memories.

Cheers Neil.