July 5, 2009 10:20

Former Beatles, Rolling Stones manager Allen Klein dies

Legendary music mogul passed away after suffering from Alzheimer's disease

Photo Gallery: The Beatles

Allen Klein, the former manager of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, has died.

Klein passed away at his New York home after suffering from Alzheimer's disease, according to Associated Press.

He was 77.

The legendary music mogul became infamous for his ruthless deals and fallouts, particularly one with The Beatles which culminated in a lawsuit and some fans blaming him for the tensions that eventually split Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr's band.

He was widely thought to be the inspiration for the Ron Decline manager character in the 1978 Fab Four pastiche film 'The Rutles'.

Klein also encountered problems with The Rolling Stones, becoming so unpopular with the group that singer Mick Jagger chased him around a hotel, according to the report.

His company, ABKCO Music & Records, still owns many of the band's '60s songs.

Klein also worked with artists such as Herman's Hermits, Sam Cooke and Bobby Darin.

He is survived by Iris Keitel, a long-time companion, his estranged wife Betty, three children, four grandchildren and a sister.