Important Beatles Figures

Neil Aspinall

Childhood friend of Paul and George, he was The Beatles' road manager, personal assistant, and manager of Apple Corps. Considered the "fifth Beatle".

Peter Brown

One of Brian Epstein's personal assistants during the 1960's and and continued to work for The Beatles' Apple Corps after Epstein's death. Executive director of NEMS enterprises, the management company owned by Epstein. Also he wrote "The Love You Make".

Alistair Taylor

Personal assistant to The Beatles' manager Brian Epstein, and later the general manager of Apple Corps. Started out as a salesman at Brian Epstein's NEMS shop at 12-14 Whitechapel, Liverpool. Epstein thought highly of him and subsequently offered him a job as his personal assistant.

Allan Williams

Played a key part in the early career of The Beatles, as their manager, booking agent, and the man who first took them to Hamburg. Was the owner of the Jacaranda (The Jac) where the John Lennon used to hang out while in school. Worked as The Beatles' manager until the two parties fell out in 1961, over a disputed 10% fee for a subsequent Hamburg trip. The Beatles had arranged their own residency at the Top Ten club, negotiating the contract without his involvement.

Mal Evans

Started as the Beatles' unofficial bodyguard and roadie, the became the group's road manager and personal assistant, and a key member of their inner circle. He was often used as The Beatles' fixer, being called upon to supply items including clothes, food and other essentials.

Stuart Sutcliffe

The Beatles' original bassist in Liverpool and Hamburg. His paintings were highly acclaimed, and he is often referred to as "the fifth Beatle". Was good friends with John Lennon from art school. Fell in love in Hamburg and lived there until he died of a head injury from a time when the Beatles were attacked by a gang.

Pete Best

The Beatles' original drummer who was kicked out of the band because "the band didn't think he was a good enough drummer". His mother owned the Casbah, where the Beatles hung out at and played often. He was good friends with Neil Aspinall, who was romantically involved with his mother.

Derek Taylor

The Beatles' press officer, close friend to all the group's members, and a noted journalist and music publicist. He wrote "A Cellarful of Noise" on behalf of Brian Epstein. He later became Brian's assistant and publicist. Prior to working for Epstein, he worked as a journalist for The Daily Express. Quit his job as Epstein's assistant after an argument over a limousine after The Beatles' last American appearance in Brooklyn.

George Martin

The Beatles' producer, arranger and mentor, who signed them to EMI and worked on the vast majority of songs throughout their career.

Dick James

The music publisher who was the co-founder of Northern Songs. Also acted as a business advisor to Brian Epstein. Started out as a singer but as his singing career waned, he joined the music publishing business. Later sold Northern Songs without offering the group an opportunity to buy it. Although he profited hugely from the sale, Lennon and McCartney lost control of the rights to their own songs.

Brian Epstein

The son of a rich Jewish merchant who was the manager of The Beatles and director of NEMS at Whitechapel. Under his direction, the record department of NEMS flourished and became one of the biggest music outlets in the north of England. He died of an accidental drug overdose at age 32. He was a closet gay all his life.

Allen Klein

Took control of The Beatles' business affairs in 1969, following the death of Brian Epstein. Became Lennon's personal advisor and swiftly renegotiated their EMI contract, obtaining them the highest royalties ever paid to an artist at the time. He fired Alistair Taylor, but also made the Beatles a lot of money.

Phil Spector

legendary record producer who was drafted in to work on "Let It Be" and worked on solo projects with George and John after the Beatles' break-up.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

the Indian guru who first met The Beatles in 1967. They became fascinated by his techniques of Transcendental Meditation, and in 1968 visited his spiritual training camp in Rishikesh, India. His meditation techniques helped them realize that drugs don't hold the answers.