The first document is dated and signed on January, 1969 by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Richard Starkey (Ringo Starr) and George Harrison also known as The Beatles. This was signed on their company stationery. This document was issued by the Beatles to attorney John Eastman, authorizing him to handle all business negotiations on their behalf.
The Beatles Breakup Contract
The second document is dated April 16, 1969 and signed by John Lennon, George Harrison and Richard Starkey (Ringo Starr). The letter was issue to attorney Lee Eastman informing him that he is not authorized to act or hold as the attorney of “The Beatles.”
The Beatles Signed Documents that Broke Up the Fab Four
“I knew that we were in trouble then,” Lennon later said. “I didn’t really have any misconceptions about our ability to do anything other than play music, and I was scared. I thought, ‘We’ve fuckin’ had it.’” – John Lennon
After the death of Brian Epstein, the group was then left with the difficult task of finding a replacement. They had originally attempted to manage themselves with the founding of Apple Corps in May 1968. But when that proved to be a disaster, Paul McCartney had looked to bring in Lee Eastman, his new father-in-law, while the other three wanted Allan Klein, who had managed the Rolling Stones. McCartney lost the battle when Klein was hired in February 1969. This disagreement would be considered as one of the leading factors that broke the Beatles up.
The two documents for sale serve as a behind the scenes glimpse into the contractual separation of the Beatles into two camps.
The first document is dated and signed on January,1969 by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Richard Starkey (Ringo Starr) and George Harrison also known as The Beatles. This was signed on their company stationary. This document was issued by the Beatles to attorney John Eastman, (Paul McCartney’s brother-in-law, and father-in-law’s entertainment law firm), authorizing him to handle all business negotiations on their behalf.
“Although McCartney believed that the Eastman’s could manage Apple and save the band’s fortunes, the other Beatles were leery. All three felt that McCartney already exercised enough sway over the band’s fate, and they did not want his potential in-laws also overseeing their business. John, in particular, thought he couldn’t allow his partner such an upper hand.”
On January 28th 1969, John Lennon met accountant and Rolling Stones former business manager Allan Klein at a London hotel. After their meeting, Lennon was convinced that Allan should be his manager, and convinced George and Ringo to do the same. “I don’t give a bugger who anybody else wants,” Lennon said. “But I’m having Allan Klein for me.” The confidence John felt in Allan, and the misgivings he felt towards Paul’s family involvement lead to the second document, dated April 18th, 1969 and signed by John Lennon, George Harrison and Richard Starkey (Ringo Starr). The letter was issued to attorney Lee Eastman informing him that he is not authorized to act or hold as the attorney of “The Beatles”.
In September 1969, John Lennon privately informed his bandmates that he was leaving the band. However, Paul McCartney made it public on April 10, 1970 and announced he was leaving the band.