Neil Aspinall, the man known as the “Fifth Beatle” has died at the age of 66.
Aspinall died at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, where he had been receiving treatment.
His death was announced in a statement released by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the widows of John Lennon and George Harrison, and the band’s Apple Corps Ltd. company.
“All his friends and loved ones will greatly miss him, but will always retain the fondest memories of a great man,” the statement said.
According to Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper, Aspinall had flown to New York from his London home for treatment at the prestigious Manhattan cancer Center.
It isn’t known exactly when Aspinall died, but it was reported Sunday that Sir Paul McCartney had flown out to see him.
Despite no musical training, he sang in the chorus of ‘Yellow Submarine’.
He played background instruments on hits such as ‘Magical Mystery Tour’, ‘Within You Without You’ and ‘Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!’.
For more than 40 years, Aspinall controlled the vast empire of the Fab Four. But stepped down last year as chief executive of Apple Corps, the guardian of the Beatles’ commercial interests.
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