Beatles and Friends:
Derek, some called me,
Earlier in my life.
I took Majnun's story,
And my best friend's wife.I met them with Richard.
In circles it goes.
And twice near the end,
My service they chose.Famous in my own right.
They asked for my axe.
But the "number" that night,
I played on a sax.I was often above them,
But I frequently played.
I made the world love them.
Thus my fame was madeMy story is tragic.
But they were my boys.
After I saw the magic,
In a cellar of noise.My first true love was art,
And Astrid my second.
From my friends did I part,
Before fame had beckoned.I once lived with my Best friend.
And I gave him a brother.
For me did the band send,
So I left him and his mother.I swam in their second,
Half servant, half pal.
My fate no one reckoned,
The police shot poor Mal.
Who are these eight people, and what does each line mean?
Basic Hint:
Some familiarity with the Beatles' associates, collaborators, and entourage is necessary to solve this one.
Advanced Hints:
These are pretty big hints, and probably give things away, so use them only as a last resort.
2:
Also associated with: Nat King Cole, Sam Cooke, Sly & the Family Stone, King Curtis, the Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, George Harrison, Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, and Eric Clapton, as well as being a solo artist.
3:
Perhaps because of their alleged rivalry, when this man was asked to perform on a Beatles song, he chose to do so on an instrument he didn't know how to play. As a result, we have the worst instrumental performance ever made on a Beatles recording.
4:
8: