Yoko Ono has described the former chief executive of Apple Corps, Neil Aspinall, who died last weekend, as “an important member of the Beatles’ family”.
In a statement, Ono said: “John (Lennon) loved him. I continued to treasure his wisdom and support in the years after John’s passing.”
Aspinall, who was widely regarded by fans as the fifth member of the group, passed away in hospital in New York at the age of 66.
Ono's statement added: “My love and deepest sympathy go to Neil’s wife Suzy, and to his children. With love, Yoko Ono Lennon”.
After meeting Sir Paul McCartney and George Harrison at Grammar school in Liverpool, Aspinall formed a close relationship with the entire group.
As well as driving them to early gigs, he built a considerable reputation during his time at Apple Corps, where he protected the their copyright and music.
In a joint Apple Corps statement, Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and the widows of Harrison and Lennon said that they “will always retain the fondest memories of a great man."
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- What Yoko means is: ”Cheers Neil for topping up the bunce thanks to Anthology and 1. Now what the bloody hell am I going to do to milk the back catalogue? Bring on the remasters and fast!”
- Fred Zeppelin: Dont worry. Martin & Son are probably behind the Steve Jobs deal. It’s just that Paul doesn’t like the idea of replacing Lennon-McCartney with Lennon-Ono-McCartney. Doesnt roll off the tongue.
- I’m sure Neil couldn’t stand her. Long, bad history from the Apple corp days...(how the rest of them put up with her for all thesse years is way beyond me)
- Piss off idiots...how ’bout letting her make a respecful statement and leaving it at that? Christ, you Ono haters just can’t let it go you schoolboy wankers...”Yoko broke up the Beatles...blah blah”. Grow up.
- let it be assholes.
» View all 16 comments~ by Fred Zeppelin 3/25/2008 Report
~ by Bony Tramwell 3/25/2008 Report
~ by Kyoko 3/25/2008 Report
~ by Sparty 3/25/2008 Report
~ by ghost of neil a. 3/25/2008 Report