Hidden for decades in a forgotten cupboard, over 300 pages of legal and financial documents from the tumultuous breakup of The Beatles have come to light. These rare papers, untouched since the 1970s, reveal the behind-the-scenes drama that ultimately led to the demise of the Fab Four.
Denise Kelly of Dawsons Auctioneers, the firm handling the sale, called the discovery “fascinating.” She added, “Reading the minutes of meetings between lawyers and accountants, it became clear just how chaotic and fraught the situation was. At one point, a lawyer even suggested: ‘Would it be easier if The Beatles just retired?’”
The papers will go under the hammer on 12 December in Maidenhead, with bids expected to range between £5,000 and £8,000. Online participants can also join the auction.
Hidden Drama Uncovered
The newly unearthed documents date back to 1967-1970, a critical period in The Beatles’ history. They capture the inner turmoil following the death of their manager, Brian Epstein, whose mismanagement left the band with unpaid taxes and unaccounted finances.
In response, the group founded Apple Corps in hopes of protecting their business interests. However, disputes over their new manager, Allen Klein, drove a wedge between them—most notably between Paul McCartney and the rest of the band.
The papers reveal how these tensions spiraled into the infamous 1974 High Court battle, where McCartney sued his bandmates in a desperate bid to keep their music out of Klein’s control.
“We All Knew It Was Over”
Speaking to the BBC in 2021, Sir Paul McCartney reflected on the painful decision to “sue his mates.” While the group unofficially dissolved in 1970, their final legal split wasn’t confirmed until December 1974.
“For a few months, we had to pretend everything was fine,” McCartney said, explaining that Klein needed time to wrap up financial matters. “It was weird because we all knew it was the end of The Beatles, but we couldn’t just walk away.”
McCartney revealed he had no choice but to take legal action. “I had to fight. The only way to protect our legacy was by suing the others because they were aligned with Klein.”
A Collector’s Treasure
The documents detail pivotal moments in The Beatles’ final years, including their struggles with financial mismanagement and the growing personal and professional rifts. One of the last major events chronicled in the papers is the band’s legendary rooftop performance on 30 January 1969 at their Apple Corps headquarters on London’s Savile Row—marking their final live performance together.
Kelly remarked, “For a scriptwriter, these papers could be the blueprint for a compelling story of how one of the greatest bands in history fell apart.”
With the auction set to take place in just days, Beatles fans and collectors alike are eager to get their hands on these historic relics, which offer an unparalleled glimpse into the complexities behind the breakup of music’s most iconic band.
