Ongoing History Daily: Apple vs. The Beatles, Part 1

October 19, 2021 Alan Cross 0 Comments 0 min read

Apple, now the most valuable company in the world, and Apple Records, the label of The Beatles, historically didn’t get along very well.

It all began in 1980 when George Harrison saw a magazine ad for this new computer company called “Apple.” It took two years to sort out the trademark agreement–and everyone thought that was that. Apple Computers would stay in the world of computers and Apple Records would have exclusive rights to use of the word in the entertainment industry.

That all fell apart when Apple Computers developed sound capabilities and musical applications in the middle 80s.

Apple Records then asked Apple Computers to remove their sound-enabled computers from sale. Apple Computers refused–and it was on. More tomorrow.

The last post dealt with a Marvel Comics record label.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

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