LENNON/McCARTNEY....McCARTNEY/LENNON
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JoeySmith:
Apollo C. Vermouth:
After reading that Bill Harry article I must say I don't know how Paul can be so civil in his dealings with Yoko at least in public. The sh*t she has thrown at him. The Salieri to Mozart jibe really takes the cake coming from a talentless, screeching banshee like her. She seems to continually thwart Paul in any reasonable request. I don't understand how Paul could of let Northern Songs slip through his fingers by being so considerate of her. When she didn't agree to the 20 million pounds price he should of just cut her out and gone on alone and purchased them. Surely he had the 20 million or could of easily borrowed it. I thought Paul had pretty savvy business sense or got good advice. Something about that whole saga of the ownership of the ATV/Northern Songs catalogue including how Jackson got them still has me puzzled. It just doesn't gel.
Does anyone know what the value of the catalogue is today? 20 million pounds in 1984?? That's nothing. From a pure investment perspective, it was a horrible decision, never mind losing control of your songs. Since Paul had made a lot of money by investing in music property throughout the 70s (by taking the advice of his father-in-law), my guess is he was worried of the "backlash" he might have received by doing it alone. That's the only explanation I could think of.
The 20 million pounds is what Sir Lew Grade wanted which must of been in about 1981. But Paul obviously let the deal go and then Robert Holmes a Court acquired ATV, Sir Lew Grades company and therefore owned ATV/Northern Songs. He then sold them to Michael Jackson for about 24 million pounds. Yoko still apparently thought they were still to much. Paul it seems was reluctant to buy outright fearing criticism that he was greedy in taking John's (estate) share. But if Yoko was playing hard ball over price it's not Paul's fault. Meanwhile a cashed up Jackson gazumped them and pinched them. Just look at what there worth now about 1 billion dollars I believe. I think Jackson estate still owns 25%. I read as of 2018 the rights begin returning back to the songwriters so finally Paul and Lennon estate will finally get them back. Could of been alot earlier for the sake of 20 million pounds or so.
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Anyone who cares knows Paul wrote Yesterday. I have never heard or read anyone saying "John Lennon wrote Yesterday." Or "Paul McCartney wrote I Am The Walrus." It is petty. Paul himself said that in the 60s they wanted to be a songwriting team and have a recognizable team name. He got his wish and is still not satisfied. Yoko has said a lot of things to get a rise out of people. So did John. John once said about Yesterday, "A great song. And I never wished I wrote it." Or something to that effect. In 1965 George Martin thought Yesterday should be a Paul McCartney solo record and Paul scoffed at the idea. John didn't try and stop him. I think the other Beatles all thought it should have been too. But Paul wanted it to be a group thing. Now he is all annoyed as if everyone did this to him.