Goodbye to Neil Aspinall

The ‘fifth Beatle’ Neil Aspinall died recently in New York but his funeral service was held at his home in Twickenham, south west London. 

Neil Aspinall is known as the power behind the success of the Beatles' business empire.  Many have acknowledged that Aspinall was a brilliant businessman whose foresight made certain that the Beatles' future will continue to be extremely wealthy. 

It is well known that the music industry is particularly tricky to navigate but Aspinall set a precedent.
Neil Aspinall took on the job of sorting out the Beatles' finances with a warning.  He was only prepared to do so until they found an acceptable replacement.  That was forty years ago.  Through thick and thin Aspinall has steered the Beatles on to greater wealth.  He was the band’s road manager who became overseer of assets believed to be approximately two billion pounds.  However, before all that he was the Beatles' friend.  Aspinall’s quick thinking continues to rake in the money for the Beatles and their children.

Two hundred and fifty people attended the funeral but without the presence of Paul McCartney (away on a trip) and Ringo Starr.  However, Stella McCartney, Paul’s fashion designer daughter did attend.  Barbara Bach who is married to Ringo Starr was seen with Yoko Ono the most famous of the ‘Beatles wives’.  Yoko and Stella were seen to warmly embrace. 

Paul McCartney did make the effort to visit Neil Aspinall at his sickbed in New York a couple of weeks before his death.   A person who did attend was Pete Best.  He was an original member of the band.  Best, McCartney and Starr did not get along.  It is thought this may be a reason for McCartney and Starr not attending.  On the other hand, Best was Aspinall’s closest friend.

 

Neil Aspinall leaves his wife Suzy and five children.