The Beatles

[donegal]

Is it true that another man co-wrote the songs 'SGT.Pepper's lonely hearts club band' and 'fixing a hole' with Paul mc Cartney who how is dead for about 30years and did not get any money for it? 

(by the way i dont mean John Lennon)                 

[carley_pie]

yeaa i read that in the paper too! =S anyone got any info?!

[ursula62]

Sir George Martin, who was known as the "Fifth Beatle" had a great deal of creative input on many Beatles' albums. He wrote many of the orchestral arrangements for John and Paul's songs, which considerably enhanced them.

In particular he is known for his input on the Sgt Pepper album, but there are few Beatles' songs that George didn't tweak in one way or another.

He didn't get any money or credit for it per se at the time, but as the Beatles' manager for many years he was, I'm sure, suitably recompensed!

[ludwig]

Your're referring to Mal Evans who was the Beatles roadie, and sort of general assistant. There was an article in the Sunday Times which said Evans diaries had been found recently (he died in the 70's) in which he mentioned he had some writing input on the 2 songs you mention. He infers that McCartney promised him royalties, which weren't forthcoming, but he didn't make a fuss about it at the time or any time since.

[ludwig]

ps , I don't think there's been any comment on it from Macca himself, but there's no reason to disbelieve it as Evans seemed to be a loyal employee/friend who was just happy to be doing what he was doing.

[mcmikeymike]

The Apple Records studio band known as Badfinger did not get the royalties they were due.  This had a part in the suicides of 2 band members Pete Ham and Tom Evans.  Those guys wrote "Without You" a hit for Nilsson and Mariah Carey.

[magicbeatle]

The only person to significantly contribute to any of paul's Beatles songs was John Lennon. And that worked both ways and not as frequently as people think. Of course, the odd line may of come from the mouths of others (such as Mal Evans) but all great songwriters do this. To be creative is to be open minded!

[Billy Sheers]

The report of Mal Evans's 'unpaid royalties' is very strange now!If his contributions were to be recognised, they would have appeared on the record Lables/ album covers such as,Rubber Soul (acknowledged) or Revolver, or indeed the White Album where he is known to have appeared.It is very easy to attribute remarks to someone who is not alive to validate them.Macca is unlikely to get ivolved in this because ,it may have been a throw away remark during a session.As to George Martin being the 'Fifth Beatle' many previously had that mantle. George Martin was not their manager,it was the other 'Fifth Beatle' Brian Epstein! BADFINGER did not get their due Royalties but this was not the sole reason for Ham &  Evans death.

Billy Sheers!