Neil Aspinall, The Beatles roadie who went on to run their Apple empire, has died in New York at the age of 66.
Aspinall left Apple last year and has been undergoing treatment for lung cancer.Aspinall's work with The Beatles predates Ringo Starr. He joined the crew in February 1961, 18 months before Ringo signed on as the band's drummer. The apprentice accountant left his career path to drive The Beatles from gig to gig.
Although considered the CEO of Apple, Aspinall never used a title. He ran their record label, film company and publishing before retiring last year.
It was Neil who had been overseeing the re-release of the Apple catalogue. He had the chore of negotiating in between Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison to get the old stuff new again, but it has been a slow process.
Under Aspinall's watch, Beatles fans have seen the release of 'Live at the BBC', 'Yellow Submarine Songtrack', 'Let It Be ... Naked', The Capitol Albums' box sets, 'Love' and 'The Beatles Anthology' CDs and DVDs.
Working with The Beatles had its fringe benefits. Neil got to sing in the chorus of 'Yellow Submarine' and picked up the occasional instrument and played on 'Within You Without You', 'Being For The Benefit of Mr Kite' and 'Magical Mystery Tour'.
Aspinall went to school with Paul McCartney and George Harrison at the Liverpool Institute, who he met through the original Beatles drummer Pete Best.
Neil was a boarder at Pete's home and had an affair with Pete Best's mother Mona. The couple had a son, Roag Best.
Neil Aspinall is survived by his wife Suzy, daughters Gayle, Dhara and Mandy, son Julian and first son Roag.
