ATV Offers to Buy Northern Songs Shares – Beatles Publishing Bid
Friday 11 April 1969 | Business, The Beatles
On 11 April 1969 — the same day ‘Get Back’ was released — Associated Television (ATV), led by impresario Lew Grade, made a formal offer to purchase shares in Northern Songs, the publishing company that owned the Lennon–McCartney songwriting catalogue.
The bid represented one of the most significant and contentious moments in Beatles business history, threatening to remove control of their songs from the band entirely.
Northern Songs Background
Northern Songs Ltd had been established in 1963 by Brian Epstein and music publisher Dick James to administer the Lennon–McCartney songwriting catalogue.
The company was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1965, with Lennon and McCartney each holding approximately 15% of shares, and Dick James and his partner Charles Silver holding around 37% combined.
The ATV Bid
In early 1969, Dick James and Charles Silver sold their combined shareholding to ATV without informing Lennon and McCartney in advance.
ATV then launched a formal takeover bid for the remaining shares, seeking to gain majority control of Northern Songs and with it, ownership of the Lennon–McCartney catalogue.
Lennon and McCartney responded by attempting to form a consortium to counter the bid and retain control, but internal disagreements — particularly over Allen Klein’s involvement — ultimately undermined their efforts.
Outcome
ATV successfully acquired a controlling interest in Northern Songs, gaining ownership of the Lennon–McCartney catalogue.
The catalogue later passed through several owners before being acquired by Michael Jackson in 1985 and eventually merging into Sony/ATV Music Publishing.
Paul McCartney spent decades attempting to reacquire the rights to his own songs, a process that was only partially resolved following the expiry of copyright terms in later years.
Why This Matters
The ATV takeover of Northern Songs stands as one of the most consequential business events in music history, demonstrating the vulnerability of artists to corporate acquisition of their creative work.
It also deepened the tensions within The Beatles during an already fractious period, contributing to the atmosphere of mistrust that surrounded the group’s final months together.
Location
ATV / Northern Songs business negotiations, April 1969
Also on This Day in Beatles History
11 April is a significant date in Beatles history. Here’s what else happened:
- 11 April 1961 – The Beatles live at the Top Ten Club, Hamburg
- 11 April 1962 – The Beatles fly to Hamburg for the Star-Club residency
- 11 April 1963 – From Me To You UK single release
- 11 April 1963 – John Lennon meets his son Julian for the first time
- 11 April 1963 – The Beatles live at Co-operative Hall, Middleton
- 11 April 1965 – The Beatles at the NME Poll-Winners Concert, Wembley
- 11 April 1965 – The Beatles on The Eamonn Andrews Show
- 11 April 1966 – The Beatles recording Love You To & Got To Get You Into My Life
- 11 April 1967 – Paul McCartney jam session with Brian Wilson & John Phillips
- 11 April 1969 – The Beatles’ Get Back UK single release
- 11 April 2002 – Paul McCartney live at United Center, Chicago
- 11 April 2019 – Ringo Starr All-Starr Band live in Osaka
FAQ
What was Northern Songs?
A publishing company established in 1963 to administer the Lennon–McCartney songwriting catalogue, floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1965.
Who sold their shares to ATV?
Dick James and Charles Silver sold their combined shareholding to ATV without informing Lennon and McCartney.
Did The Beatles try to stop the takeover?
Yes, Lennon and McCartney attempted to form a consortium to counter the bid, but internal disagreements undermined their efforts.
What happened to the catalogue after ATV?
It passed through several owners before Michael Jackson acquired it in 1985, eventually becoming part of Sony/ATV Music Publishing.
Explore more Beatles history: The Beatles Knowledge Hub | On This Day in Beatles History
Shop the Let It Be era: Let It Be & Get Back Collection
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