DM's Beatles forums

Solo forums => Fifth Beatles and the Merseybeat Scene => Topic started by: Geoff on March 24, 2008, 01:34:55 AM

Title: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Geoff on March 24, 2008, 01:34:55 AM
From The Daily Mail:

Mr Aspinall, 65, is believed to be suffering from lung cancer and has flown to New York from his London home for treatment at Manhattan's prestigious Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre.

A family friend said that Sir Paul had been to visit. "I understand that Paul saw him in hospital in New York," the friend said.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=542362&in_page_id=1773

Via Abbeyrd:  http://abbeyrd.best.vwh.net/news/323neilaspinall.html
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: The Swine on March 24, 2008, 10:38:31 AM
he is dead
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: tkitna on March 24, 2008, 10:52:50 AM
Yeah, you dont just go in and beat that.
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: BlueMeanie on March 24, 2008, 10:59:11 AM
Lung cancer has a 3% chance of recovery. The fact that he's gone to this place in the States means that it's a last resort, as London has one of the best cancer hospitals on the planet (Royal Marsden).
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Geoff on March 24, 2008, 03:46:01 PM
Sky News reports:

Neil Aspinall, a close friend of the Beatles and the man who ran the Apple music empire, has died, his family has revealed.
The 66-year-old worked as a roadie and accountant for the band before becoming chief executive of Apple Corps.

He was known by some in the industry as the real "Fifth Beatle".

In a statement released on behalf of Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the company described him as a "great man" who would be missed.

In the statement, also on behalf of Beatle widows Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison, Apple Corps said: "As a loyal friend, confidant and chief executive, Neil's trusting stewardship and guidance has left a far-reaching legacy for generations to come.

"All his friends and loved ones will greatly miss him but will always retain the fondest memories of a great man."


http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1310441,00.html
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Andy Smith on March 24, 2008, 07:11:45 PM
i've just heard this, its so terrible! i never knew he was that ill. yet another one in the
Beatles camp is lost to us!  :'(

RIP Neil Aspinall

(http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060330/images/060330biz_apple2.jpg)
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Bungalow Bill on March 24, 2008, 07:37:42 PM
RIP Neil, you upheld the image and legacy of the band we care so much for with the upmost class, responsibility and dedictation when so many others would be keen to capitalize on the image..  This is a sad day and you will be remembered.
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Bobber on March 24, 2008, 07:45:10 PM
A big loss. Rest in peace Neil.
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: BlueMeanie on March 24, 2008, 08:31:38 PM
RIP Neil. Big loss. Everybody's dying!!
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: DaveRam on March 24, 2008, 09:04:46 PM
R.I.P. Neil .
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Brynjar on March 24, 2008, 09:41:19 PM
Rest in peace.
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Sondra on March 24, 2008, 10:42:47 PM
This is depressing. So sad. He wasn't even that old. ALL of those guys should still be alive and have at least 20 to 30 good years left on this earth.

RIP Neil. (cry)
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: harihead on March 24, 2008, 10:54:14 PM
Quote
Taking on the role on the condition he would do it "only until they found someone else", he only quit the position last year.

...

In a statement, Ringo said the band were "blessed" to have Mr Aspinall in their lives. "I've known Neil many years and he was a good friend. We were blessed to have him in our lives and he will be missed," he said.

Olivia and Dhani Harrison said Mr Aspinall was their "constant and avuncular caretaker". In a statement they said: "Neil takes with him the love and history of his extended family. "He was our constant and avuncular caretaker for so many years; there is no way to measure how much he will be missed. "Our thoughts are with his wife Suzy, their sons, daughters and grandchildren. God bless you Neil."
Ringo and the Harrisons have class. :)

I wonder if Neil knew he was ill when he quit Apple? Remember all that mysterious ousting of Neil? Perhaps he'd found out he was ill, and didn't want to release that information?

In any case, Neil, thanks for all you did. Rest in peace.
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: An Apple Beatle on March 24, 2008, 11:25:34 PM
Quote from: 597
RIP Neil, you upheld the image and legacy of the band we care so much for with the upmost class, responsibility and dedictation when so many others would be keen to capitalize on the image..  This is a sad day and you will be remembered.

RIP
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Lissy on March 25, 2008, 10:40:54 AM
RIP Neil.
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: DaveRam on March 25, 2008, 12:54:25 PM
I wonderd this morning if he was already ill when he quit Apple harihead. Sixty Six is no age he should have been looking forward to at least a 20 year retirement .
The big C seems to be casting a shadow over The Beatles story ?
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: harihead on March 25, 2008, 02:06:41 PM
In the US, cancer is the leading cause of death for that age group; it runs neck & neck with heart disease for the top 2 places. So it's really not so unusual for Neil and George to succumb to it; they have a lot  of company. In George's case, he had a family history of cancer. I don't know about Neil.

The article said Neil had been ill for 2 months. If he really didn't know until 2 months ago, the illness couldn't have affected his decision to leave Apple. But I wonder if he'd been feeling tired beforehand. I'm glad he got some time to himself (or so it seems) after dedicating so much of his life to the Beatles' concerns.
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Geoff on March 25, 2008, 05:37:12 PM
From The Beatles author Hunter Davies in The Guardian:


He was with them through all their years of fame. He would get shouted at, told to fetch impossible things, fix ludicrous arrangements. In 1968, Paul decided on the spur of the moment to come and visit me in Portugal with his new girlfriend Linda, and her daughter Heather. Neil was told to get them on a plane to Faro. The last flight had gone. So, late at night, Neil secured a private jet and off they went.

But Neil was more than a roadie and fixer - he was their friend and confidant, helped with words of songs when they got stuck, with personal relationships when they wanted them unstuck.

His accountancy training proved invaluable when he came to run Apple. As the years went on, he masterminded much of the group's professional affairs and back catalogues. On the whole, Neil won most of the battles, helping them make further millions. He did also have a creative streak, acting as the producer of the film Let it Be and organising the Beatles Anthology.

Neil was totally loyal and faithful to them - and yet not at all starstruck. He was more than aware of their foibles, greed, stupidities, unreasonableness, would readily slag them off. It was clear he was part of the family, so while moaning, as all family members do, he would never betray their secrets.

When I pressed him for inside stories, he used to say he couldn't remember. Mick Jagger always says the same. In Neil's case, it could be because he wasn't really much interested in the personal stuff. His mind didn't quite work that way. He had a dry, austere, rather resigned, cynical view of most people, more interested in facts and figures than tittle tattle. He was there, but was somehow floating above it all. The Beatles were very fortunate to have him.



The rest here: http://music.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2267904,00.html
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Frightwolf on March 25, 2008, 08:14:19 PM
That's so so sad.  RIP.
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: harihead on March 25, 2008, 08:53:50 PM
Great article, Geoff. I really enjoy Hunter Davies' perspective. Thanks for posting that link!
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: pc31 on March 25, 2008, 10:35:26 PM
neil had a thankless job...his stress levels had to be unbelievable back in the day from fathering pete bests' brother roag to deciding wether or not to stay in the beatles camp after them sacking his buddy pete like that or that endless hectic touring schedule or procuring some odd fancy one might need at 3 am.....i wonder if mona chided on him for staying at all...rest easily neil your journey on this road has ended but you drove us so far,now relax and we'll drive the rest of the way for you.....
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Geoff on March 26, 2008, 01:15:22 AM
Quote from: 551
Great article, Geoff. I really enjoy Hunter Davies' perspective. Thanks for posting that link!

Cheers, Harihead: I thought most of the obits published so far were rather pro forma. Davies' actually knew Neil Aspinall and his piece is a bit more vivid.
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Mr. Kite on March 27, 2008, 05:36:42 AM
I was shocked to open the Globe and Mail today and find him in the Obituary section as like many people here I never even knew he was sick.  Thank you very much Mr. Aspinall for keeping the Beatles image alive and if it wasn't for your effort and hard work then the Beatles Anthology may never have seen the light of day.  Rest In Peace Sir with Stu, Brian, Mal, John and George.

Mr. Kite!
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Andy Smith on March 31, 2008, 04:40:32 PM
it seems that half of the group & road crew have left us far toooo soon! :o
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Beatlemaniac64 on March 31, 2008, 09:56:45 PM
I had no idea about this, or even that he was ill until just the other day. It's really a shame that he was so young...rest in peace to a great man who all of his friends and family will think of with fond memories.
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Mairi on March 31, 2008, 10:55:16 PM
Poor guy. 65 is too young to go.
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Geoff on April 01, 2008, 03:19:06 AM
The Beatles were really lucky in some ways with respect to their inner circle; people like Brian Epstein, Mal Evans, Neil Aspinall, and George Martin were genuinely decent people who had their interests at heart. Other bands were not nearly so lucky.
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: harihead on April 01, 2008, 07:58:17 PM
^ well said.
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: BlueMeanie on April 03, 2008, 02:55:31 PM
This is a 3 part Dutch interview with Neil Aspinall, George Martin, and Derek Taylor from around 1995.

fbCpQXmStZ4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbCpQXmStZ4)
h0rtu0_nVWc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0rtu0_nVWc)
-SYs-KiqJ_o (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SYs-KiqJ_o)
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Bobber on April 03, 2008, 06:30:27 PM
I hope this was an interview for a radio broadcast!  ;D
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: aspinall_lover on April 09, 2008, 03:54:09 PM
I'm new to the board.  A good friend told me about it and after viewing it several times, this seems to be a very nice Beatles' forum.  
And I still can't believe my beloved Neil is gone.  Has anyone out there seen any pictures of his widow, Suzy, or of his children???  The press was interested in only Yoko, Stella, Sir George, Olivia, etc, but not of Neil's immediate family.
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: BlueMeanie on April 09, 2008, 04:22:52 PM
Stella, Pete Best, and George Martin, at Neil's funeral.

(http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g299/paulk58/SM.jpg)(http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g299/paulk58/PB.jpg)(http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g299/paulk58/GM.jpg)

Does The Sun have to sensationalise everything, or are they just plain stupid?
"John Lennon
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: BlueMeanie on April 09, 2008, 04:41:20 PM
Some more pictures from the press:

(http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g299/paulk58/funeral3BUTLER_468x347.jpg)
(http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g299/paulk58/funeral2BUTLER_468x337.jpg)
(http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g299/paulk58/1funeralNAT_468x353.jpg)
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: aspinall_lover on April 09, 2008, 05:59:56 PM
I guess they.........the press..........don't know what Roag looks like.  I do.  But I wonder what Suzy looks like nowadays.  I've got a picture from an old 60's magazine when she and Neil were married, and that's about it. :(
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: BlueMeanie on April 09, 2008, 06:10:22 PM
Welcome to the board btw. :)
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: aspinall_lover on April 09, 2008, 06:27:33 PM
Thank you!!!  You are all already very, very nice!!!! :) ;)
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Bobber on April 09, 2008, 06:33:19 PM
Welcome. There's plenty of pictures of Roag on the internet (although I haven't seen one from the funeral yet). I couldn't find Suzy either. Some more pictures might pop up in the next few days.
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: harihead on April 09, 2008, 07:20:34 PM
Thank you for posting these great press pics. I particularly loved the one of Pete. It made me feel so sad for him, and gave me a turn as well, as he looks exactly the same as when I met him last fall, and here he is in the news. It just... made it feel more personal to me.

Quote from: 1255
The press was interested in only Yoko, Stella, Sir George, Olivia, etc, but not of Neil's immediate family.
This might actually be preferred by his family. I hope so, anyway.

Welcome to the boards, Aspinall_lover!

Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: aspinall_lover on April 09, 2008, 08:57:13 PM
Thanks again everyone!!!  And see if any pictures of Suzy and family surface.  I'm just curious to know what she looks like today and what her children look like. ;)
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: aspinall_lover on April 09, 2008, 09:28:17 PM
My prettiest picture of Neil...........this is the way I want to remember him.
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc65/aspinall_2007/BigNeil1995.jpg)
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: eppylover on April 09, 2008, 10:48:38 PM
Greetings, Barbara, my friend from afar!

Now say, "Thank You for the photo, Christine!"

 ;) Neener neener!  ;D

(Even though I still don't remember sending it to you!)
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: aspinall_lover on April 09, 2008, 10:57:23 PM
Quote from: 392
Greetings, Barbara, my friend from afar!

Now say, "Thank You for the photo, Christine!"

 ;) Neener neener!  ;D

(Even though I still don't remember sending it to you!)
Yes you did, you silly red-head.  Remember I told you I fell out of my computer chair when I saw it????
Now say "Thank Christine" Barbara.................Thank you Christine...........I am a blonde, you know.....LOL ;D

Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Sgt. Pepper 45822 on April 09, 2008, 11:04:32 PM
I think it's so sad. He was always fun to listen to. He had some great memories. Did he write a book about his time with the Beatles?
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Bobber on April 10, 2008, 07:24:28 AM
Quote from: 1247
He had some great memories. Did he write a book about his time with the Beatles?


He said he forgot most of what happened.


This is Roag Best in 2007:
(http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/7868/roagbestuh9.jpg)
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: BlueMeanie on April 10, 2008, 07:27:38 AM
Quote from: 63
He said he forgot most of what happened.

He's always said that. I think it's just a way of being able to avoid questions.

I know I've not been his biggest fan in the past, but looking after that lot for so long must have taken the patience of a Saint. There must have been times when he was tempted to walk out, and spill the beans. Fair play to him.
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Geoff on April 10, 2008, 07:36:24 AM
Quote from: 1255
My prettiest picture of Neil...........this is the way I want to remember him.
([url]http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc65/aspinall_2007/BigNeil1995.jpg[/url])



Great photo; thanks for posting it.

And welcome aboard, of course! :)

Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: aspinall_lover on April 10, 2008, 12:16:29 PM
^^^^^^^^^^^I miss Neil so much.  He was a saint to put up with all the "Beatle Fuss" for all those years...
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: aspinall_lover on April 10, 2008, 06:09:46 PM
And Neil was a "looker" when he was young.....
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc65/aspinall_2007/shirtless-neil.jpg)
For some reason, Neil always like to take that shirt off..........
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: harihead on April 13, 2008, 03:49:17 AM
From Beatles Monthly #3, October 1963:

(http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s95/harihead/Neil-bm.jpg)
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: aspinall_lover on April 13, 2008, 04:20:40 AM
^^^^^^Oh............I see you have Beatles Monthlys, too.  I do believe I have every issue, reissue, started back up again in 1984, until the last issue.  Pretty sure I do...........had to get a loan for all of this.......... ;D ;D
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: aspinall_lover on April 13, 2008, 04:36:39 AM
Some pictures of "my Neil" from some of my "The Beatles Monthly" mags....
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc65/aspinall_2007/beatles19.jpg)
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc65/aspinall_2007/beatles14.jpg)
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc65/aspinall_2007/49.jpg)
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc65/aspinall_2007/4.jpg)
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Geoff on April 13, 2008, 05:26:16 AM
Thanks for posting these. The third one, especially, is a keeper, and it's saddening to think that only two of the six people pictured there are still alive.
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: aspinall_lover on April 13, 2008, 12:00:57 PM
^^^^^^^I know..............that's a sad thought.  There's only Paul and Ringo left.  And if you want to list George Martin in there too......... :( :(
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: aspinall_lover on April 13, 2008, 12:16:42 PM
Some more of Neil from my collection.......
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc65/aspinall_2007/beatles17.jpg)
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc65/aspinall_2007/2.jpg)
And one of "everybody" back stage before the August, 1965 Shea Stadium concert............
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc65/aspinall_2007/7.jpg)
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Bill Harry on April 13, 2008, 01:01:20 PM
Should we try to identify the people in the back row of the picture? Second on the left is Don Short of the Daily Mirror and third on the left is Chris Hutchins of the NME
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: harihead on April 13, 2008, 03:06:22 PM
Thanks, Bill! I have a feeling you'd win this game.

That looks like Larry Kane, second from right.


Thank you for all these great Neil pics, aspinall_lover!
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: aspinall_lover on April 13, 2008, 05:51:59 PM
^^^^^I've got some more I have to weed thru...............keep looking....... :)
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Spiritinthesky on March 23, 2009, 08:55:48 AM
From http://www.thisdayinmusic.com

March 23rd: On this Day

2008, Neil Aspinall, who ran the Apple Corps music empire for the Beatles from 1970
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Euan Buchan on March 23, 2009, 10:39:47 AM
I was in Ireland a year ago today when I heard the news :(
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: aspinall_lover on March 23, 2009, 03:44:44 PM
One year already since my beloved Neil Aspinall has passed away.  I still can't believe it.  God bless you soul, Neil.....
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Andy Smith on March 25, 2009, 10:24:14 PM
goodness its gone so fast, i just can't believe that its been a year already!!  ??)
Title: Re: Neil Aspinall Is Ill - R.I.P.
Post by: Penny Lane on March 25, 2009, 11:52:18 PM
Quote from: 1161
Thanks for posting these. The third one, especially, is a keeper, and it's saddening to think that only two of the six people pictured there are still alive.

That's a hugely sobering thought.   :(  If anything, I'm grateful that Paul and Ringo are still alive.

RIP, Neil.