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Before they were famous, The Beatles actually did have five members, so the fifth Beatle might best be described as their bassist at the time, Stuart Sutcliffe, who left the band and shortly thereafter died of a brain hemorrhage. Similarly, their drummer at the time, Pete Best (later replaced by Ringo) also fits the bill. But perhaps the epithet most commonly refers to George Martin, their producer for nearly all their recordings. Martin is often credited with substantial musical and inspirational contributions to the work of The Beatles, and some believe that he is responsible for making what otherwise might have been just another rock 'n' roll band into what is often considered the greatest band of all time. Martin's musical training and expertise allowed him to adapt and orchestrate some of the band's most popular songs, giving them a new dimension.

However, Billy Preston is regarded by some to have an equal claim to the title of the fifth Beatle. Preston was the only artist to receive joint credit on a Beatles record, by playing the electric piano on " Get Back". Preston also played the keyboard on " Let It Be". Preston had been introduced to the Beatles during the early 1960s, but did not see them until 1969, when Harrison invited him to join them for recording sessions in order to defuse tensions in the band. Lennon once suggested that Preston join the Beatles, but the idea was dismissed by the others, as by that time, they were on the verge of breaking up.

Other people who have been referred to as (or claimed to be) "the Fifth Beatle" include:

• Brian EpsteinBrian Samuel Epstein ( September 19, 1934- August 27, 1967) was a British businessman, best known as the manager of The Beatles. Epstein's father owned a furniture store where Paul McCartney's family bought a piano. Epstein's father put him in charge of t, the band's manager until his death in 1967Events January January 4 British motorboat racer Donald Campbell dies while attempting a water speed record in Coniston Lake. January 4 Algerian revolutionary Mohammed Khider is shot in Madrid. January 6 Vietnam War: USMC and ARVN troops launch " Operatio
• Neil AspinallNeil Aspinall (born December 13, 1942) is best known as the assistant and road manager for the hugely popular rock band, The Beatles. Aspinall was a childhood friend of Paul McCartney and George Harrison at the Liverpool Institute. Aspinall even contribut, assistant, road manager and close personal friend of the four. The Beatles once claimed he was indeed the fifth member.
• Mal EvansMalcolm Evans is best known as the roadie, assistant, and friend to the hugely popular rock band The Beatles. Evans was working as a communications technician for the Post Office in 1962 when he first heard the Beatles perform at Liverpool's Cavern Club., roadie, assistant, and friend.
• Murray the KMurray Kaufman professionally known as Murray the K was a famous and influential rock and roll disc jockey. Following in the footsteps of Alan Freed, Kaufman reached a peak of popularity in the late 1950s as the prime-time radio host on WINS-AM in New Yor, a disc-jockey who made the completely unfounded claim to be the Fifth Beatle.
• As a joke, Eddie MurphyEddie Murphy (born April 3, 1961, Brooklyn, New York) is an African-American comedian and actor. Murphy began his comedy career at the young age of 19, as a performer on NBC's Saturday Night Live television show. His characters include a parody of Buckwhe starred in a Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live SNL is a weekly late-night ninety-minute live comedy- variety show which has been broadcasted every Saturday night on the American NBC network since 1975. It is one of the longest-running network entertainment programs in American tele sketch, playing the role of "Clarence", a man who claimed to be the fifth beatle, a saxSax or SAX may refer to multiple things: Simple API for XML Saxophone.ophonist, but was kicked out by John and Paul because they wanted to steal the glory. The sketch featured sax parts on some Beatles songs, and a picture of Clarence standing in the middle of the four Beatles.
• Similarly, an episode of The Simpsons featuring Paul and Linda McCartney included a scene in which Apu Nahasapeemapetilon claimed to be the fifth Beatle. (Paul's response "Sure you were, Apu.")