Legal Documents Shed Light on Beatles Split

Legal documents detailing the tumultuous breakup of The Beatles will be auctioned on December 12, revealing insights into the band's struggles post-manager Brian Epstein's death in 1967. The over 300 pages of documents, discovered in a cupboard, include meeting minutes, legal writs, and the band's original 1967 partnership deed, highlighting various legal battles including McCartney's opposition to hiring manager Allen Klein and issues regarding unaccounted finances and tax obligations. Auction house Dawsons noted that these documents reflect the complex legal arrangements and emotional turmoil experienced by the band members as they sought to navigate their individual careers. Denise Kelly from Dawsons described the documents as fascinating, capturing the panic felt during legal discussions, and suggested they could serve as a script for telling the band’s story. The auction is expected to generate significant interest, with bids estimated between £5,000 and £8,000. The final legal separation of The Beatles was not confirmed until 1974, despite their breakup occurring four years earlier.