Allen Klein becomes business manager of Apple

On January 27, 1969, John Lennon appointed the controversial American businessman Allen Klein as his personal adviser. A week later, on February 3, Klein was asked to look into The Beatles’ financial affairs.

On this day, Allen Klein was officially appointed to manage Apple’s business operations for the next three years. Under the terms of his contract, he would not receive any commission on existing recording deals, but would earn 20% of any increase he negotiated.

The decision had been put to a vote a few days earlier. Paul McCartney, away on honeymoon with his new wife Linda, did not attend the Apple board meeting but had instructed his solicitor, Charles Coman, to vote against Klein’s appointment. He was outvoted by the other Beatles.

Shortly after his appointment, Klein began implementing a cost-cutting plan aimed at stabilizing Apple’s finances. This soon led to the dismissal of several key executives, including Ron Kass and Alistair Taylor.

Everything changed when Klein took over… for a start Paul wasn’t there.

Neil Aspinall – From “And in the End: The Last Days of the Beatles” by Ken McNab, 2019

There was a Daily Mail article published on 1 May 1969 titled ‘Beatles man gets the sack after seven years” in which Alistair Taylor had been interviewed by reporter Douglas Marlborough the previous day after hearing the bad news from Peter Brown and while clearing out his desk.

From Obadiah Jones on Twitter

KLEIN HERE FOR APPLE TALKS

Rolling Stones business manager Allen Klein arrived in London on Monday and began discussions with the Beatles and executives of Apple.

Klein has been invited by Apple to look into their financial affairs.

Apple press office said on Monday: “He will be conferring daily with the Beatles”.

Apple denied that the Beatles were planning to move to America’s West Coast. “Apple are looking for a base there to start an American Apple. The Beatles won’t move there, but they may commute more often”, said a spokesman.

The group’s project live TV concerts are “in abeyance”. It seems unlikely that they will take place in the near future.

From New Musical Express, March 1, 1969

Going further

The Beatles Diary Volume 1: The Beatles Years

With greatly expanded text, this is the most revealing and frank personal 30-year chronicle of the group ever written. Insider Barry Miles covers the Beatles story from childhood to the break-up of the group.

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