The Beatles' record company was APPLE, a five-letter word. APPLE Records was founded in 1968 by the Beatles and their manager, Allen Klein. It was the first record label to be owned by a rock band. The label released many of the Beatles' albums, as well as solo albums from John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. APPLE Records also signed other artists, such as Mary Hopkin, Badfinger, and James Taylor.