Allen Klein Dies at Age 77
Former manager for the Beatles and Rolling Stones remembered as a ruthless businessman.
Music manager, Allen Klein, 77, died Saturday after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Klein is most famous for signing the Rolling Stones and the Beatles, but has been blamed for the latter's demise, according to the Associated Press.
Not known for making many friends with his style of doing business, according to Reuters, in a 1971 issue of Playboy, Klein said, "Don't talk to me about ethics. Every man makes his own. It's like a war. You choose your side early and from then on, you're being shot at. The man you beat is likely to call you unethical. So what?"
The AP reported that Klein was "known for his brashness, temper and tenacity in tracking down royalties and getting better record deals."
The Rolling Stones never forgave Klein after he won the rights to some of the group's biggest hits, like "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and "Jumpin' Jack Flash," after his split from the group, according to Entertainment Weekly.
He was also disliked by the Beatles. According to the AP, Klein was berated in Paul McCartney's 1997 biography and John Lennon's song, "Steel and Glass."
