McCartney and Ono's Investment in Northern Songs

Northern Songs, the music publishing company co-founded by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, underwent a significant transformation when it went public, creating a total of 5 million shares. The original stakeholders retained a substantial portion of these shares, with Lennon and McCartney each holding 750,000 shares, which accounted for 15% of the total. This public offering allowed the company to expand its operations and capitalize on the growing popularity of The Beatles' music. The financial structure of the company was also influenced by other key figures, including Brian Epstein, who managed the band and received shares through his management company, NEMS Enterprises, which was allocated 375,000 shares. The distribution of shares among the original principals, including James and Silver, who each received 937,500 shares, reflects the collaborative nature of the music industry during this period and the importance of ownership in the rapidly evolving landscape of music publishing.