"Fifth Beatle" Neil Aspinall Dies In New York

Neil Aspinall was the fifth Beatle when they were the Quarrymen.....went to school, rode the bus with Paul and George. He was there before they were Beatles. He was there after they were Beatles. He is the one who kept track of the history, went and bought copyrights of films of them, interviews, etc. He was a true blue friend. One of the very few the fab four had outside of the four of themselves. Anyone who knows anything about the Beatles knew who Neil was, without him that Anthology would not have been made. He started it originally back in 1970, but with everyone an open wound from the breakup and the court case, it was shelved. He convinced the other three and Yoko to complete it. Fans and music historians owe him a huge debt of gratitude. He SHOULD GET HIS OWN entry in the rock and roll hall of fame for the anthology. Watch The Beatles Anthology and you will see plenty of Neil. Neil knew all the secrets and kept them well, revealing some in the anthology and taking the rest to his eternal rest. A true blue friend. Unlike some(allen b. klein for instance).

He played a role in the musical and cultural phenomenon that was the Beatles and the sixties. From all reports he was a good man, didn't write a nasty or invasive 'tell all' book or take the Beatles for a 'financial ride'. Rest in peace, Neil. My thoughts are with your family as you begin your final journey down the 'long and winding road'.

He had a fifth with the Beatles. And a couple of bong hits as well. RIP.

There are so many 5th Beatles I can't keep track. I guess it is getting easier. Anyway, God rest your soul.

RIP Neil, thank you for the Beatles Anthology....it's a sad day, the Beatles family keeps getting smaller, an age is passing. Tears...

RIP, Neil. You were the man who made them rich(finally).

How many 'fifth beatles' has it been, so far?

...All these places have their moments

If all the "Fifth" Beatles were assembled, they could fill Noah's Arc (which could be restored if all of the wood scraps "that came from Jesus' cross" were put to use). In truth, sad as it is to say, Yoko was the "Fifth" Beatle. There were many musicians, etc., who made important contributions to the "product" (the recordings), but only Yoko Ono, as far as I know, "sang" (yes, I know, that's stretching the term, but Ringo was also given occasional "vocal" credit) on any Beatles recordings.

Neil and Mal were the original road managers for the group until 1966. They hauled gear, fetched tea, acted as confidantes, friends, and in Neil's case, business associates. It's a shame Neil didn't get to pen a memoir.

How many fifth Beatles were there?

Thank you Neil. My heart goes out to you and your family. God Bless you.

Peace, Neil

Murray the K thought very highly of himself. He even made a song called Round and Round during the Twist craze. I think he considered himself the second Checker.

Guess its a sign of encroaching old age when so many people bearing familiar names are leaving the planet.

He was the real deal. and will be missed. I'm saddened by death after death of Beatles and Beatles-related people. Only Paul and Ringo and Billy Preston left, when it comes down to it.

Hillary Clinton is claiming that her experience qualifies her as 'the 5th Beatle'.

5th Beatle? How many 5th Beatles are there? There must be almost as many 5th Beatles as Al-Qaeda No. 2's....

He was a class act and a dying breed.
Steve

Neil Aspinall was perhaps the second most important person to The Beatles, behind George Martin. He was closer to the band even than Brian Epstein.

A familiar name, if not face, from the day. If he didn't write a memoir, he should have.

Neil Aspinell joins the "5th Beatle" nook of heaven along with others who left this world far too early -- (Stu Sutcliffe, Mal Evans, Derek Taylor, Billy Preston, Brian Epstein).

I think Murray the K was the first to coin the term "5th Beatle" (in reference to himself, of course). Or maybe it was George (in reference to Murray the K, of course).

RIP Neil.

Rest well dear Neil a true friend to the Fabs.

He was not the 5th Beatle. That would be George Martin.