Video: 'Why Did The Beatles Break Up?'

(Thursday, December 31, 1970; during the Break-up of the Beatles) — The Beatles formally broke apart today as musician Paul McCartney brought suit in the High Court in London to end the group’s partnership, naming as defendants the other members of the British rock group: John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

The writ, issued in the Chancery Division, sought a “declaration that the partnership business carried on by the plaintiff and the defendants under the name of The Beatles & Co., and constituted by a deed of partnership dated 19 April 1967 and made between the parties hereto, ought to be dissolved and that accordingly the same be dissolved.”

McCartney’s suit also requested that a receiver for Apple, the group’s company, be appointed until the case is settled, and that the group’s business manager, Allen Klein, is formally charged with the mismanagement of the Apple funds.

The formal dissolution of the partnership would take place in London on Jan. 9, 1975.