"Fifth Beatle" Neil Aspinall leaves Apple Corps · 2007-04-11 17:34
The reclusive, hard-nosed businessman Neil Aspinall who oversaw the Beatles' complex financial interests has left their organization after more than 40 years, Apple said Tuesday.
Neil Aspinall, 64, a Liverpool native who started out as the band's driver, will be replaced as head of Apple Corps. Ltd. by Jeff Jones, an American music industry executive who specializes in deluxe reissues of classic albums.
Jones, who will take the title of CEO (Aspinall disdained formal titles) will relocate to London, where Apple runs a small headquarters.
Aspinall was so closely identified with the Fab Four that he was often called "the fifth Beatle" ??“ an accolade also given to the likes of manager Brian Epstein, session musician Billy Preston and producer Sir George Martin, CNNMoney informs.
"He was there since the inception of the band in Liverpool and has meant so much to the Beatles' family for all these years and still does," said a statement released by Apple in London. "However, he has decided to move on."
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