The Beatles‘ friend and Apple Corps chief Neil Aspinall has died in New York, aged 66, Apple announced today (March 24).

Aspinall was a childhood friend of Beatles’ Paul McCartney and John Lennon starting his career as the band’s road manager and personal assistant.

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A joint statement has been issued from Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and Apple Corps, for whom he was Chief Executive for 37 years until last year, pays tribute to “Neil’s trusting stewardship and guidance”.

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

Aspinall sang on the chorus of the band’s classic “Yellow Submarine” as well as playing various instruments on ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ and ‘Within You Without You’.