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Beatles' guru Neil Aspinall dies Beatles' guru Neil Aspinall dies
(10 minutes later)
Neil Aspinall, a close friend of the Beatles and the man who ran the Apple music empire, has died aged 66, a spokesman has announced. The man who ran Apple Records for the Beatles, Neil Aspinall, has died aged 66, the company has announced.
A childhood friend of Paul McCartney and John Lennon, Neil Aspinall was the group's road manager before overseeing the creation of Apple Records. A childhood friend of Paul McCartney and John Lennon, he was the group's road manager before heading Apple Corps for 37 years.
In a statement, Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and Yoko Ono said: "Neil's trusting stewardship and guidance has left a far-reaching legacy." In a joint statement, Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and Apple Corps paid tribute to "Neil's trusting stewardship and guidance".
Despite no musical training, he sang in the chorus of "Yellow Submarine".
Fondest memories
He played background instruments on hits such as 'Magical Mystery Tour', 'Within You Without You' and 'Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!'.
But it was for his stewardship at Apple Corps that Neil Aspinall will be best remembered.
He was the Beatles' road manager and drove them between gigs in his van before becoming their personal assistant.
From 1970 until 2007 he was chief executive of Apple Corps.
The surviving band members and Yoko Ono said: ""All his friends and loved ones will greatly miss him but will always retain the fondest memories of a great man."