Beatles Breakup Files Set To Sell For $500k

The auction for the document that officially released the Beatles from their recording commitments as a band is currently underway to Gotta Have Rock and Roll until June 30. The expected sale price for the document is up to $500,000, and at the time of writing, a bid of $100,000 has already been placed.

The contract, dated December 29, 1974, bears the signatures of all four members, including two signatures each from John Lennon and George Harrison, who acted as Apple Corps directors.

Spanning two pages, the document consists of five clauses, confirming the “dissolution of the partnership” and granting Lennon, Harrison, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr the freedom to pursue their solo careers independently. It also stipulated that unanimous approval was required for any matters concerning the Beatles’ finances.

The Significance of the Dissolution Letter

Although the 1974 dissolution letter was a mere formality, as the Beatles had effectively ceased to exist in 1969, it marked the official recognition of their split. During a meeting, Lennon had walked out and expressed, “I want a divorce.”

The news became public in April 1970 when McCartney released promotional materials for his debut solo album, in which he announced his departure from the group and stated that he did not anticipate a revival of the Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership.

According to May Pang, Lennon’s assistant and romantic partner, who spoke to The New York Times in 2008:

“The friendship was still there. They were brothers. There was no animosity. And even though they all felt they had to break up to get to the next level of their musical careers, John had started this band that changed the world. It changed pop culture. It changed how we live and how we dress. And he knew that. So, when he sat down to sign, he knew that this was it. His was the last signature. As he had started the group, he was the one to end it.”