History remembers April 10, 1970 as the “the day The Beatles broke up,” but they had actually separated emotionally, spiritually, and musically long before that day.
While Ringo Starr had actually tried to quit the band as early as 1968, he was talked into coming back.
In 1969, John Lennon knew the magic was over and told the other guys he was out on September 20, 1969.
Toward the end of 1970, Paul McCartney started the paperwork to officially dissolve the band’s business partnership, beginning a long, drawn-out legal process that would end up lasting years.
Although John’s announcement to the other three that he wanted out had been the emotional end of the band, he would end up when it came to making the split official, and The Beatles’ breakup wouldn’t be made legal until years later.
And when the time finally came, Lennon was conspicuously absent from the proceedings.
The process took several years, millions of dollars, and miles of red tape. The lawyers finally had all the paperwork ready toward the end of 1974, and a meeting was arranged to sign them at New York City’s Plaza Hotel.
But although he lived less than a half-hour’s walk away, John didn’t show up.
When George Harrison’s lawyer called to ask where he was, John apparently instructed his secretary May Pang to tell him, “The stars aren’t right.” John’s astrological inspiration justifiably infuriated the other ex-Beatles and their legal teams.
John Lennon and May Pang then decided to fly down to Florida for Christmas, where they stayed at the Polynesian Village Hotel at Walt Disney World.
After the holiday, a lawyer from Apple Corps had to fly down and force Lennon to finally get it over with. So there in Disney World, John Lennon signed the lengthy contract on December 29, 1974, marking the official end, of The Beatles as a business entity.
Owner Ann Baldock says that during the 70s and 80s it was a really profitable company, but that out-of-town and internet shopping caused a decline in customers.
