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Bizarre origin of The Beatles’ iconic ‘drop T’ logo which NEVER featured on any album covers thanks to £5 deal

The logo also has a deeper meaning than many assume

THE Beatles' iconic 'drop T' logo originated in a bizarre £5 deal.

Never used on any of the Fab Four's albums, the logo became an iconic piece of which has appeared on much of the band's memorabilia since.

The Beatles performed between 1960 and 1970 and are considered the most influential band to ever live
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The Beatles performed between 1960 and 1970 and are considered the most influential band to ever liveCredit: Getty
The Beatles' iconic 'drop T' logo originated in a bizarre £5 deal and emphasises the word 'beat'
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The Beatles' iconic 'drop T' logo originated in a bizarre £5 deal and emphasises the word 'beat'

Despite its fame, the logo was the result of a last minute design on Ringo Starr's new drum kit purchased in April 1963.

He had traded his Premier kit for a Ludwig set but on one condition from the drum dealer - that the Ludwig logo appear on the front.

This was because dealer Ivor Arbiter had just began a contract with the US drum maker.

But Beatles manager Brian Epstein, with Ringo when the exchange took place at Drum City in London, also wanted The Beatles name on the bass drum.

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On the spot, salesman Arbiter designed drew up the logo on a scrap of paper.

The capital B and dropped T emphasised the word "beat".

Happy with the compromise, Ringo paid Drum City just £5 to have the design painted on his drums.

And so the iconic logo was born.

By the end of 1963 the Ludwig sticker began to peel, so Ringo took it back to be repainted.

The Beatles performed between 1960 and 1970 and are considered the most influential band to ever live.

The Fab Four have sold over 600 million albums worldwide.

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