1969 Saturday 1st February
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- Allen Klein discusses The Beatles’ purchase of NEMS
In early 1969, The Beatles were navigating a tumultuous period following the death of their manager Brian Epstein in 1967. The band was dealing with financial and managerial chaos at their Apple Corps company, and internal tensions were rising. January 1969 had been marked by the Get Back project, which included rehearsals and filming at Twickenham Film Studios and Apple headquarters, culminating in the famous Rooftop Concert on January 30, 1969—their last public performance as a group. The sessions wrapped up on January 31 with additional recordings at Apple Studios.
On February 1, 1969, a significant meeting took place at Apple’s headquarters at 3 Savile Row in London. All four Beatles—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr—gathered with American businessman Allen Klein and New York attorney John Eastman (Paul McCartney’s brother-in-law) to discuss the proposed purchase of NEMS Enterprises, the company formerly owned by Brian Epstein and now controlled by his brother Clive Epstein. NEMS held a 25% stake in The Beatles’ earnings, and acquiring it was seen as a way to regain control over their finances.
The meeting was a continuation of discussions that began earlier in the week. Klein, who had recently met with the band on January 28, advised against the purchase until a full audit of The Beatles’ finances could be conducted. Eastman, however, pushed for the acquisition, estimating it at around £1 million. The discussions highlighted the growing divide within the band: Lennon, Harrison, and Starr were increasingly supportive of Klein as a potential manager, while McCartney favored the Eastmans. This meeting set the stage for Klein’s formal appointment as The Beatles’ business manager on February 3, 1969, by Lennon, Harrison, and Starr—over McCartney’s objections—which would later contribute to the band’s breakup.
Apart from this business meeting, there were no recorded musical activities or public appearances by The Beatles on this date. The group was shifting focus toward individual projects, with Lennon exploring avant-garde work with Yoko Ono, McCartney planning his solo endeavors, Harrison pursuing spiritual and production interests, and Starr acting in films like The Magic Christian.
This date exemplifies the behind-the-scenes struggles that defined 1969 for The Beatles, a year that saw the release of Abbey Road and the completion of Let It Be, but also the irreparable fractures leading to their dissolution in 1970.
Top 10 Songs in the UK Charts on February 1, 1969
| Position | Song | Artist/Group |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albatross | Fleetwood Mac |
| 2 | Blackberry Way | The Move |
| 3 | Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da | The Marmalade |
| 4 | Lily The Pink | The Scaffold |
| 5 | Something’s Happening | Herman’s Hermits |
| 6 | Sabre Dance | Love Sculpture |
| 7 | For Once In My Life | Stevie Wonder |
| 8 | Stop Her On Sight (SOS) | Edwin Starr |
| 9 | Please Don’t Go | Donald Peers |
| 10 | Race With The Devil | Gun |
Top 10 Songs in the USA Charts (Billboard Hot 100) on February 1, 1969
| Position | Song | Artist/Group |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crimson And Clover | Tommy James & The Shondells |
| 2 | Everyday People | Sly & The Family Stone |
| 3 | Worst That Could Happen | Brooklyn Bridge |
| 4 | Touch Me | The Doors |
| 5 | I Heard It Through The Grapevine | Marvin Gaye |
| 6 | I’m Gonna Make You Love Me | Diana Ross & The Supremes / The Temptations |
| 7 | Soulful Strut | Young-Holt Unlimited |
| 8 | Hooked On A Feeling | B.J. Thomas |
| 9 | Hang ‘Em High | Booker T. & The M.G.’s |
| 10 | Build Me Up Buttercup | The Foundations |
Top News Headlines and Events from Around the World on February 1, 1969
- In his first start in a Ford, legendary driver Richard Petty wins the Motor Trend 500 at Riverside, California; his previous 92 NASCAR victories were in Plymouths.
- Tim Wood wins the second of three straight US Men’s Figure Skating titles, while Janet Lynn takes the first of her five consecutive Women’s National Championships in Seattle, Washington.
- U.S. President Richard Nixon instructs his national security adviser, Henry Kissinger, to pursue secret diplomatic channels with the People’s Republic of China, initiating steps toward normalization of relations.
- WPGH TV channel 53 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (IND) begins broadcasting.
- Ongoing Vietnam War developments: Peace talks in Paris continue amid shifting U.S. war aims and tensions with the Saigon regime.
- In the UK, discussions on postal reform are underway in government circles.
Notable People Born on February 1, 1969
- Gabriel Batistuta, Argentine soccer striker (77 caps, 54 goals; Fiorentina), born in Avellaneda, Santa Fe, Argentina.
- Brian Krause, American actor (Charmed), born in El Toro, California.
- Joshua Redman, American jazz saxophonist and composer, born in Berkeley, California.
- Andrew Breitbart, American conservative blogger and publisher, born in Los Angeles, California (d. 2012).
- Patrick Wilson, American drummer (Weezer), born in Norfolk, Virginia.
- Bahman Ghobadi, Iranian Kurdish film director, born in Baneh, Iran.
Notable People Who Died on February 1, 1969
- No major notable deaths are recorded for this exact date. However, the month of February 1969 saw the passing of several prominent figures on nearby dates, including actor Boris Karloff on February 2 and Mozambican nationalist leader Eduardo Mondlane on February 3.
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