In 1967, Apple was conceived by The Beatles and manager Brian Epstein, but wasn’t officially launched until January of 1968, several months after Epstein passed away. The imprint became synonymous with The Beatles and lasts to this day. A new DVD, ‘Strange Fruit: The Beatles’ Apple Records,’ tells the story of the adventure that was Apple.

Apple was started as a way for musicians, artists, and film makers to get their message out without having to go through the usual routes. “We want to set up a system whereby people who just want to make a film about anything don’t have to go on their knees in somebody’s office. Probably yours.” said John Lennon at the press conference that announced the new company.

Apple Records would sign such artists as The Iveys (later to become Badfinger), Mary Hopkin, James Taylor, Ravi Shankar, Billy Preston and Brute Force to name a few. Some were hits (Badfinger, Mary Hopkin) others were not.

Released by MVD, ‘Strange Fruit’  features interviews with former label boss Tony Bramwell, as well as members of Badfinger, Elephant’s Memory, Jackie Lomax, Brute Force and David Peel, plus Beatles expert Chris Ingham, author and journalist Mark Paytress and Apple biographer Stefan Granados. The film also includes some nice archival interviews and footage of Apple artists in the studio.

Watch The Strange Fruit Trailer Here

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