“Doggett documents rock’s most agonizing four-way divorce. Rigorously researched, You Never Give Me Your Money is a dark but compelling endnote to rock’s greatest story.” — Rolling Stone “I had such a ball reading You Never Give Me Your Money: The Beatles After the Breakup that once I finished, I returned to page one and read it all over again.” — Newsweek “Elegant and deeply researched...You Never Give Me Your Money posits a nuanced afterlife for the Beatles. [Peter Doggett] has found a new lens (and much new information) through which to consider the band.” — Los Angeles Times “Doggett has crafted an authentic and enlightening book full of myth-busting surprises and insight.” — Library Journal “Fascinating…Doggett captures the competitive sparks that flew among the four men, especially between Lennon and Paul McCartney, and also the mutual affection that formed the basis of their complicated relationships…A must for Beatles fans and good for more casual pop-music enthusiasts, too.” — Booklist “Peter Doggett’s book about the Beatles’ split is a real page-turner.” — Annie Lennox “An enthralling new book on [The Beatles]…impossible to put down” — The Independent “Doggett, a music journalist, offers refreshingly straightforward and highly readable portraits of the leading players” — Daily Telegraph (London) “A gripping account that portrays [The Beatles] as something much more interesting than the airbrushed Gods we’ve recently seen: damaged, eternally bickering men, left punch-drunk by the group’s success” — The Guardian “What Doggett has achieved is a laying bare of the darker consequences of enormous fame and wealth. Yes, there is the glory but there’s also the concomitant pressure of how to deal with the myth and the legacy – while trying to keep four very different voices in harmony.” — Irish Times “Doggett’s book charts an admirably unstarry-eyed path through the break-up of the band and beyond.” — Metro London “[Doggett’s] identification of the forces that drove The Beatles apart and kept them so for the best part of 30 years is not new, but his forensic tenacity and unyielding gaze are.” — Mojo “A breathtaking record of uncontrolled fame’s grotesque side-effects” — Q The world stopped in 1970 when Paul McCartney announced that he was through with the Beatles. Though the Beatles’ breakup was widely viewed as a cultural tragedy, one of the most fascinating phases of their story was just beginning. In You Never Give Me Your Money , journalist Peter Doggett tells the behind-the-scenes story of the personal rivalries and legal feuds that have dominated the Beatles’ lives since 1969. It is both a compelling human drama and an equally rich and absorbing story of the creative and financial empire the band members set up to safeguard their interests but that ultimately controlled their lives. You Never Give Me Your Money charts the Shakespearean battles between Lennon and McCartney, George Harrison’s raging inner conflict between spirituality and fame, and the struggle with alcoholism that nearly cost Richard Starkey his life. From tragedy to triumphant reconciliation, from individual chart success to bitter courtroom battles, this meticulously researched work tells the previously untold story of a group and a legacy that will never be forgotten. Peter Doggett's books include Are You Ready for the Country: Elvis, Dylan, Parsons and the Roots of Country Rock ,the award-winning There's a Riot Going On: Revolutionaries, Rock Stars and the Rise and Fall of the '60s , and You Never Give Me Your Money: The Beatles After the Breakup , which was chosen as one of the 10 Best Books of 2010 by the Los Angeles Times . Read more
Features & Highlights
“Peter Doggett’s book about the Beatles’ split is a real page-turner.” — Annie Lennox
“Enthralling… Impossible to put down.” —
The Independent
Acclaimed journalist Peter Doggett recounts the previously untold story of the dramatic final chapter in the lives, loves, and legal battles of John, Paul, George, and Ringo—aka The Beatles—from their breakup in 1969 to the present day. Called “refreshingly straightforward and highly readable” by
The Daily Telegraph
(London),
You Never Give Me Your Money
is the dramatic and intimate story of the breakup and aftermath of The Fab Four as it’s never been told before.
Customer Reviews
Rating Breakdown
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Most Helpful Reviews
★★★★★
5.0
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A must-read for Beatles fans, though you'll be dismayed by the visceral antipathy these guys displayed to each other
In this great piece of scholarship and reporting, Peter Doggett wades into the thickets of Beatles litigation and acrimony. Somehow, he's managed to untangle an almost mind-boggling complex history and distill it into a compelling narrative. The main body of the story (after a searing upfront recounting of John Lennon's assassination) takes off around the time of Magical Mystery Tour and continues through to current day. Throughout, the typical Beatles milestones - albums and singles - are mere background. Doggett's triumph is change the position of the lens and put the camera behind the scenes - the typical background (Allen Klein, Lee and John Eastman, Denis O'Brien, Yoko Ono...as manager, Apple's dysfunction, etc.) is foreground.
Making the decision to follow the never-ending tale of unrelenting legal battles had the potential of turning into something very dry. Doggett's talent is to keep the interest high by repeatedly bringing us back to the four protagonists - their reaction, what they were thinking, how any action rejiggered the alliances within the band. While 'Money' is a must-read for fans of the Beatles, those same fans can't help but be dismayed by the visceral antipathy on display here between the band members. And though Doggett does his best to stay dispassionate and even-handed about each of the four (this is a warts-and-all retelling), it's McCartney that most often comes out looking like the antagonist. The 3 vs. 1 dynamic is the book's dominant staging...even though it was Lennon, not McCartney, who first called 'out' (but lacked McCartney's savvy in using such an announcement to his benefit).
6 people found this helpful
★★★★★
1.0
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A mean-spirited book
I seem to be in the minority, but I find this book mean-spirited, highly judgmental, and patronising in tone. The author never misses an opportunity to comment on Ringo's, (sorry *Starkey's*) alcohol problem. Example: when discussing Ringo & Barbara hearing the news of John Lennon's death, they weren't just renting a house in the Bahamas. They were "drinking" in the house. How does the author know this? And who cares anyway? Plus, the description of Lennon's shooting is at odds with Dakota staff's accounts. Anyway, as I say, mean-spirited and judgmental.
5 people found this helpful
★★★★★
4.0
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Read this book if you want to lose all respect for the Beatles
Wow, what a book. Being unfamiliar with the trials and tribulations of the Bealtes after their breakup, I was completely amazed by their consistently disgusting behavior as thoroughly documented by Doggett. It's a testament to the author (or any Bealtes fan, really) that he could keep up on everything that happened, although "everything" is basically a repetition of the same events and personal decisions. In fact, about 2/3 of the way through the book, I started to lose interest because each Beatle kept doing the same disgusting things over and over again.
What did they do? First, John. Perhaps the worst was his hateful, irrational attacks on his one-time friend and fortune-maker McCartney ("Those freaks were right when they said you were dead" and "The only thing you've done is Yesterday", from the song "How Do You Sleep"), although there are plenty of others (e.g. his complete dependence on Yoko and other authority figures, his turning his back on people and causes he supported, his hypocritical lifestyle in light of his pleas in the song "Imagine").
Next, Paul. Definitely the worst thing he did, and this really started much of the mess, was sue his former friends and bandmates. He didn't agree with the other three's decision to use Allan Klein as their manager, despite the fact that Klein had a good track record, and so decided to take legal action instead of giving Klein a try. The trial and it's many subsequent counter-trials started and maintained, in the Beatles' lives and minds, an antagonism and a focus on money that was abhorrent (given their fortunes and previous closeness).
Next, George. I can't decide what was worse: the hypocrisy in his spirituality or his obsession with money. George preached and often lived the Hare Krishna religion, yet frequently indulged in drugs, sex and materialism. He also tried a plentora of ways, some barely legal, to make his money grow, brimmed with anger when others threatened his money, and then spent a zillion dollars on a huge estate. Given his spirituality, you would think he wouldn't be such an angry, money-obsessed person.
Finally, Ringo. Ringo didn't really do anything disgusting, just disappointing. According to Doggett, Ringo spend much of the 70's and 80's in a drug & alcohol stupor.
The backdrop to all of this is each Beatle's complete loss of ability to write great songs with any consistency after 1972 or so. Given how many great songs John and Paul (and later, George) consistently cranked out over the previous 8 years, you would think that each Beatle would be able to make great albums. Yet after their end-stage Beatle songs were released, by 1972, none of the Beatles made any great albums. A few hits here and there, but nothing close to what they did before. Creativity may beget creativity, but so overwhelmingly so?
Doggett does a very good job documenting all of the events, covering not just what happened but why, and sometimes gives his opinion of the Beatles' actions. He managed to keep me interested, despite the repetition of the events. Unfortunately, the end result is that I lost all respect for each of the Beatles.
5 people found this helpful
★★★★★
5.0
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BEST BEATLES BOOK I'VE EVER READ
I read many book on the Beatles. But take my word this is the best account of the end of the best Band & friends, In the world. It revealed all the back biting going along with the back beating. And it doesn't pick one or the other it just tells the story from an insiders perspective. I give this book
AAA +++++++++++++++
4 people found this helpful
★★★★★
4.0
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Informative and well-written, but probably not essential.
First, though this book is subtitled "The Beatles after the breakup", it should be noted that a good portion of the book is devoted to the events prior to and surrounding the breakup itself. A bit more time than perhaps is necessary is spent detailing the events of the late 1960s in the Beatles' Apple empire. But for those (like me) who are not intimately acquainted with Beatles history to an obsessive degree, this isn't much of a problem, and the book never fails to be interesting.
Doggett manages to encapsulate the high (and low) points of the ex-Beatles' solo careers and business lives beginning in the 1970s and continuing up until the present. Although a great deal of attention is devoted to the intricacies of multinational litigation, I don't think the narrative is ever dull or boring.
The narrative of John Lennon's "Lost Weekend" of 1973-74 is of particular interest, as it was probably the last good chance the world would ever see for a full-fledged Beatles reunion during Lennon's lifetime. Despite its repeated acknowledgement of the possibilities for reunions that were passed up, this book is light on sentimental "might-have-beens", and uncompromising in its portrayal of the four Beatles and their supporting cast as fully mortal and imperfect human beings.
There's a lot of Beatles factoids here that I certainly never knew about. Paul McCartney's repeated attempts to produce a film to be written by Isaac Asimov, for example, or Lennon's recounting of a sex dream involving George Harrison, or George's own desire to stage a tour in the 1970s alongside the Monty Python troupe. However, I do feel (without being able to say with absolute certainty) that the majority of the subject matter in this book has been covered before, and the most interesting bits probably in more depth.
Despite this, Doggett's book does not skimp on interesting anecdotes and stories, and it's clear that a lot of research and hard work went into it. Doggett's portrayal of the Harrison/McCartney relationship leading up to, and during, the Anthology period stands out as nicely informative and well-written.
Peter Doggett's "You Never Give Me Your Money" is good, cleverly written, and likely to be both informative and entertaining to the average Beatles fan, though it may be redundant for the more thoroughly read.
4 people found this helpful
★★★★★
4.0
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Breaking up is hard to do
You Never Give Me Your Money is one of those books that if you pick it up at 9PM you'll find yourself at 2AM fighting to keep your eyes open but refusing to release them from the page. It quite may beessential, required reading for any Beatlemaniac, but be forewarned: Pepperland was one sordid, messed up disaster socially, spiritually, financially and personally.
Dogget's well-researched book covers all the ins and outs of the 1968-70 Beatle breakup does a great job explaining the financial and contractual details and how interpersonal conflict played a part in the McCartney/Eastman vs. Fab 3/Klein split. It then provides a synopsis of the post Beatle careers to the present and of course covering Lennon's assassination.
Dogget's description of the Apple offices awash in marijuana, malt whiskey and maudlin, hippy sensibility are funny in a "Oh I can't believe I'm watching this train wreck sort of way." Clearly, good vibes do not a business make. He is very fair to Yoko, I am pleased to write, although he does not gloss over her own foibles.
I think the greatest eye opener for me was what I'll call the standard "they were only human" escape clause. Yes John, Paul, George and Richard (DON'T call him by his stage name; he hates that) were human. But they were pretty miserable, horrible humans - not just to themselves but to all those around them. I guess one could charitably put it as their fame and celebrity was incredibly damaging to their personalities, and their Beatles phase of their lives was so colossal that it was difficult for them to move forward. Even Harrison, the most "spiritual" Beatle, frequently comes across as a guy who used mantras little more than as a means to avoid responsibility (especially in his personal relations) and eagerly tracked every sterling pound of royalties that came in from sales of "My Sweet Lord."
All of them descended into substance abuse problems, but its Richards transformation into a pathetic drunk and Lennon's (a.k.a. "Johnandyoko") 1969-1973 ***hole antics made me root for the INS to deport him!
Ultimately, I don't believe in this "they were human" excuse as a viable escape clause. Dogget makes clear that the various Beatles made very cogent, willing decisions that illustrate little more then their petty selfishness. It reminded me of Jerry Garcia's daughter's simple and devastating eulogy: he was a great musician and a s***ty father."
And somehow, despite all, the music DOES transcend, as the book points out. It's a testimony to their phenomenal talent that 4 guys who pretty much loathed each other could still record Abbey Road.
3 people found this helpful
★★★★★
5.0
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Baby You're a Rich Man
This book is essential to understanding the forces behind the Beatles' breakup and ensuing legal battles. Doggett paints a picture of collective creative genius that could not overcome intense rivalries and a complete lack of business acumen. The launch of Apple, intended mainly as a tax dodge, turned out to be a complete disaster because the Beatles, having no clue how to run it, allowed other clueless people do so. The choice of Allen Klein to manage their affairs was ultimately another egregious error. Paul McCartney, seemingly the first of the Beatles to understand the implications of their disastrous business decisions, tried to block Klein's appointment. He failed because he could not bring Harrison or Starr over to his point of view...they were tired of taking orders from him and didn't want his in-laws involved in their affairs. The choice of Klein was a seminal moment because McCartney eventually sued to dissolve the partnership. That would lead to decades of lawsuits and squabbles, mostly benefiting lawyers. There's a rich story here and Doggett does an nice job of telling it. I had a hard time putting the book down.
3 people found this helpful
★★★★★
5.0
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My favorite book about the Beatles, I think...
I really liked this book and have read dozens of books on the Beatles. This one has plenty of quotes and portions of interviews and press conferences, so you are getting the words out of the mouths of the people who spoke them. (No photos, at least in Kindle version, FYI). Very interesting tale of the scores of lawsuits created by the very fact of the Beatles existing. Sounds like it might be boring but it is not all all...what is most interesting is how the four Beatles, for the most part, were so naive and simplistic about their affairs...really did not have a clue about where their money was, how much they had, how to get to it, etc...and how often thoughtless or carefree words by one or another of them created more lawsuits...
3 people found this helpful
★★★★★
5.0
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Essential Beatles Reading
To navigate the field of Beatles literatue/biographies is akin to navigating that of Lincoln's...quite frankly way too much has been written and to stand out is difficult to say the least. Anyone with even a moderate knowledge of music history knows the backstory of The Beatles. Peter Doggett focuses his pen primarly on 1968-1980 and then a chapter on the last thirty years 'which I thought was very, very interesting' all of which focus on the financial and personal interactions of The Beatles leading up to, and after their breakup.
You will quite frankly learn more about the respective Beatles' solo careers here than you will from many of the run-of-the-mill biographies published yearly, especially the haphazard Lennon biographies. I rank Doggett's work here with Ian Macdonalds sacrosanct "Revolution in the Head" as one of the definitive books on the Fab Four.
2 people found this helpful
★★★★★
5.0
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Money, Money, Money, In A Rich Man's World.
First off, on the morning of December 9, 1980, I came down to the cafeteria at McGill University wearing my black Beatlemania T-shirt. I had no idea of John Lennon's murder the night before. A friend of mine saw me and said, what a great tribute! I soon found out why he said this.
This book starts with a finely written summary of the events that took place on the evening of 12/9/80, that short section alone, a very good compliment to ESPN's "The (Monday) Night The Music Died".
The story of the serious financial squabbles and woes of the four Beatles and Apple Corp before and after the dissolution of the group is well and entertainingly documented. For someone like me who was aware of mismanagment but unaware of the details, those involved for good, ill, or both(!), it is all colored in with sharp pens.
Brian Epstein, their first manager, completely dedicated to the four lads. But completely naive of the ways of the music business beyond running a record store. After his death, the period of "self-management" and the creation of Apple Corp. Apple Corp, a utopian dream of Paul McCartney with it's plethora of unfinished projects, hangers on, and decades of lawsuits. Allen Klein management company ABKCO, rescuer of tha Apple mess or wheeler dealer who took John & Ringo & George to the cleaners(?), depends who you talk to. Paul signing on with his inlaws the Eastmans, and things going much better for him. And oh that Yoko, her involvement before and after John's death. Author Pete Doggett tells and all, very very well.