Neil Stanley Aspinall (13 October 1941 – 24 March 2008) was a British music industry executive. A school friend of Paul McCartney and George Harrison, he went on to head the Beatles' company Apple Corps.The Beatles employed Aspinall as their road manager and personal assistant, which included driving his old Commer van to and from shows, both day and night. After Mal Evans started work for The Beatles, Aspinall was promoted to become their personal assistant, later becoming chief executive of their company, Apple Corps.On behalf of Apple, Aspinall was involved in notable court cases against Allen Klein, EMI, and Apple Computer. He supervised the marketing of music, videos, and merchandising, as well being a director of Standby Films, which was run from his home in Twickenham, London. On 10 April 2007, Aspinall retired from Apple Corps. He died of lung cancer in New York City in 2008.
He played background instruments on some Beatles tracks, and was part of the chorus for "Yellow Submarine".
3
During WWII, his parents were evacuated from Liverpool to Wales, where he was born.
4
Often dubbed "The Fifth Beatle".
5
The character "Norm" in A Hard Day's Night (1964) was loosely based on Aspinall. "Shake" was likewise based on Mal Evans, the Beatles's other road manager.
6
Usually played the "heavy" during Beatles tours, telling the press and backstage visitors when it was time for them to leave. (The band's code word that they were getting tired was "cripples", from the countless handicapped fans brought to meet them after shows.).
$17 Million
