The Beatles were a dead letter[1] by around 1980. The had a significant renaissance in the '90s - kids re-buying their parents' records. If you are my age, the

The Beatles were a dead letter[1] by around 1980. The had a significant renaissance in the '90s - kids re-buying their parents' records. If you are my age, the Beatles were "the band Paul played in before Wings." [1] except in certain radio markets in the US. At the time, you had Brill building songwriters feeding generic groups organized by producer. It looked like a more robust "supply chain" than the business model used by the Beatles. That world was quite different - writing, singing, playing, recording were all industrial specialties. That model lived on in Muscle Shoals really until about 1980 or so. You ignore Muscle Shoals at its peak at your peril. Brian Epstein was a brilliant marketer. His plan worked. He knew how to make 'em wait. The individual Beatles have tried to credit him but I don't think they understand it, really.