Timeline Albums, EPs & singles Songs Films Concerts Sessions People Interviews Articles

Thursday, February 25, 1971

The trial for the dissolution of The Beatles’ contractual partnership – Day 5

Last updated on April 27, 2022

‘worth over 6M’ The Beatles’ American manager, Mr Allen Klein, claimed in the High Court yesterday that the group had earned more than 9 millions in 19 months under his management, and that in six and a half years before his management they earned under 8 millions.” He said that on February 9 the ” whole Beatles outfit ” was worth more than 6,500,000, and that at the end of 1968 it had been worth over 1 million. Mr Klein’s affidavit was read by Mr Morris Finer, QC, on the fifth day of the hearing in which Paul McCartney, a member of the Beatles, asks that a receiver should be appointed pending his claim for the legal break-up of the group partnership. Mr Klein is not a party to the application, but is represented by counsel with a watching brief and has sworn evidence in opposition to Paul’s claim. The claim is opposed by the remaining Beatles John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and Apple Corps Ltd. Mr Klein said that in January 1970 John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr bought 40,000 two-dollar shares in Mr Klein’s company, ABKCO. The shares had been offered because it had been suggested that ABKCO’s stock was going to rise enormously as a result of his dealings with the Beatles. Paul declined the offer. John Lennon took 20,000 shares and George and Ringo 10,000 each. Mr Klein said neither ABKCO nor he had received directly or indirectly any benefit from their association with the Beatles other than that set out in schedules in evidence. Referring to the’ Beatles’ financial situation, Mr Finer said : ” My clients say that thev regard this position as something which has essentially stemmed from the skilled service which thev have enjoyed since the middle of 1969, and which, whatever else happens in this case, they do not want interfered with.” Mr Finer produced a schedule setting out the Beatles’ income. He said that more than 8 millions of the 9,142,533 received since Mr Klein took over had been from record royalties. Mr Klein’s affidavit said the appointment of a receiver might have no direct effect on receipts from the Beatles’ records, but would undermine the financial and commercial status of the Beatle companies. The hearing continues today.

From The Guardian, February 26, 1971


Going further

The Beatles Diary Volume 2: After The Break-Up 1970-2001

"An updated edition of the best-seller. The story of what happened to the band members, their families and friends after the 1970 break-up is brought right up to date. A fascinating and meticulous piece of Beatles scholarship."

We owe a lot to Keith Badman for the creation of those pages, but you really have to buy this book to get all the details - a day to day chronology of what happened to the four Beatles after the break-up and how their stories intertwined together!

Buy on Amazon

The Beatles - The Dream is Over: Off The Record 2

This edition of the book compiles more outrageous opinions and unrehearsed interviews from the former Beatles and the people who surrounded them. Keith Badman unearths a treasury of Beatles sound bites and points-of-view, taken from the post break up years. Includes insights from Yoko Ono, Linda McCartney, Barbara Bach and many more.

Buy on Amazon

Maccazine - Volume 40, Issue 3 - RAM Part 1 - Timeline

This very special RAM special is the first in a series. This is a Timeline for 1970 – 1971 when McCartney started writing and planning RAM in the summer of 1970 and ending with the release of the first Wings album WILD LIFE in December 1971. [...] One thing I noted when exploring the material inside the deluxe RAM remaster is that the book contains many mistakes. A couple of dates are completely inaccurate and the story is far from complete. For this reason, I started to compile a Timeline for the 1970/1971 period filling the gaps and correcting the mistakes. The result is this Maccazine special. As the Timeline was way too long for one special, we decided to do a double issue (issue 3, 2012 and issue 1, 2013).

Paul McCartney writing

Talk more talk, chat more chat

Notice any inaccuracies on this page? Have additional insights or ideas for new content? Or just want to share your thoughts? We value your feedback! Please use the form below to get in touch with us.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2024 • Please note this site is strictly non-commercial. All pictures, videos & quoted texts remain the property of the respective copyright owner, and no implication of ownership by us is intended or should be inferred. Any copyright owner who wants something removed should contact us and we will do so immediately. Alternatively, we would be delighted to provide credits.