Why Neil Aspinall was a more important figure than he seems

Beatles fans (I am one) will have been sad this morning to hear the news of the death of Neil Aspinall. This is not just because he was a constant in their story (he's seen in the picture above standing in for George Harrison in rehearsal for the Ed Sullivan Show), but because of the important role he has played in preserving their legacy.

Contrast Apinall's handling of the Beatles after their break up with those managing the affairs of Elvis Presley after his heyday. Aspinall succeeded in feeding the appetite for more Beatles material while avoiding cheapening their work or undermining their reputation.

He was pivotal in ensuring that the Beatles' popularity was parlayed into a lasting status as icons.

In years to come I think his work will be seen as the perfect example of how to handle the legacy of popular cultural heroes, making him a more important figure than he now seems.

Here is your Neil Aspinall reader

The Times: Neil Aspinall: The obituary

Hunter Davies in The Guardian: Beatles fixer and friend takes secrets to the grave

Allan Kozinn in The New York Times: Neil Aspinall. Beatles' Aide, dies at 66

Allan Kozinn in The New York Times: Magical Mystery Tour Ends for Apple Corps Executive

Parmy Olson in Forbes: Aspinall No Longer With The Beatles

The Independent: Neil Aspinall: Beatle's friend and road manager who became the boss of Apple

And finally, the excellent video for the (only partially successful) song Free as a Bird, issued as part of the Beatles Anthology

Comments

[CT Barbarian]

Thanks for the video - turned out nice again.

Neil Aspinall - RIP

[MB1000]

That's the Queen, at minute 4:09, isn't it? As in 'Her Majesty'...

[cliff]

I like the premise. What ever happened to that world?

[Music Gossip Fan]

I was upset to hear of his passing. I agree that any real Beatle's fan would appreciate the role he played in the Beatle's revolution.

[Quinton]

Turn me on dead man, thanks

[Michael K]

I have long admired the man who I consider to be one of the true innovators in the music business. You've highlighted his main angles here.
Of course, from a strictly business angle, he was something of an anarchist in his time with the great and the good elsewhere pulling their hair out to try and comprehend his angles which were and are ahead of their time.

I suspect that he did not want The Beatles to go on iTunes before the catalogue had been fully remastered (as with Yellow Submarine Songtrack and Love). I also suspect that his departure made the others realise how strongly he felt and that, as a result, we may not see digital Beatles as soon as we might have been led to expect.