After Paul McCartney Sued The Beatles, Their Own Manager Allen Klein Did Same Asking For $19 Million

All these years later, Paul McCartney isn't quitting on music, the artist is still going strong into his 80. He still has big plans for a final Beatles song, and he plans to use John Lennon's voice as well.

Despite the group's obvious success, there were some difficult moments behind the scenes for The Beatles. One of them, featured Paul McCartney's exit, which resulted in a controversial lawsuit. We'll take a look back at exactly what went down, and why McCartney was viewed differently by his group members.

We'll also reveal why The Beatles' manager would launch a lawsuit of his own following Paul's split from the group. Looking back, McCartney isn't pleased with the way things were perceived, and he claims that it was all done for The Beatles. Let's take a look at how it all went down, and so much more.

Based on the agreement with manager Allen Klein at the time, Paul McCartney launched a lawsuit against the band. Paul wasn't pleased with the fact that each group member's solo earnings were going into the Apple "pot." In 1970, McCartney wanted to end his partnership with the group, making the claim that his freedom was being infringed, especially from their manager.

Speaking alongside NBC News, McCartney claims he was blamed for ending The Beatles but instead, he was trying to do the opposite and save their creative freedom.

"I was thought to be the guy who broke The Beatles up and the b------ who sued his mates. And, believe me, I bought into that. It was so prevalent that for years I almost blamed myself."

"The only way for me to save The Beatles and Apple — and to release Get Back by Peter Jackson which allowed us to release Anthology and all these great remasters of all the great Beatles records — was to sue the band," McCartney reveals. "If I hadn’t done that, it would have all belonged to Allen Klein. The only way I was given to get us out of that was to do what I did."

Although Paul was outvoted by the rest of his bandmates, the court ruled in his favor in 1971, and dissolved his partnership with The Beatles. The situation doesn't end there as later, manager Allen Klein launches a lawsuit of his own later.

Two years later, manager Allen Klein would launch a lawsuit of his own against the band following his departure. In 1973, Klein was requesting $19 million. Billboard covered the lawsuit, which was settled at $5 million.

"The suit was filed in 1973, when the Beatles decided to not renew Klein’s contract. Klein promptly sued them for $19 million (roughly $75.3 million today). According to the company, the settlement, made between Apple Corps Ltd., Klein’s ABKCO Industries Inc. and Klein, dated Jan. 8, 1977, ruled that Apple had to pay Allen Klein and ABKCO just over $5 million (or roughly $19.8 million now) while Klein had to pay out a total of $800,000 (roughly $3.2 million now).

Billboard continues, "According to a 1977 report on the settlement in Billboard, that money was divided between Harrisongs Ltd., Richard Starkey (Ringo Starr‘s real name), Apple Films Ltd. and Apple Records."

The relationship between the two sides started in 1969, and ended following the lawsuit. As for McCartney and his involvement, things were far from over.

McCartney's relationship with The Beatles soured following the lawsuit. The artist felt disappointed with the group's reaction, particularly John Lennon after his song, 'How Do You Sleep' was released.

Paul felt as though the song was a jab towards him. NBC News writes, "He said he felt his contributions to the group were downplayed after the group disbanded. "How Do You Sleep?" includes the lyrics "the only thing you done was yesterday/And since you're gone you're just another day," in reference to the Beatles' 1965 song "Yesterday," which was co-written by McCartney and Lennon, and Another Day," the first single of McCartney's solo career, which was also released in 1971."

McCartney would go on to admit to struggling during the lawsuit and turning to alcohol as a way to cope. In McCartney's opinion, he was doing what was best for the group, and their manager at the time wasn't look out for their best interest.

Thankfully, Lennon and McCartney were able to restore their friendship prior to John's tragic passing.