The breakup of The Beatles was a gradual process that culminated in a sudden and definitive conclusion. The initial signs of discord within the group’s dynamic became apparent following the tragic passing of their original manager, Brian Epstein, in 1967. This event marked the beginning of a turbulent period, highlighted by the contentious recording sessions for the 1968 album White Album. During these sessions, both George Harrison and Ringo Starr temporarily departed from the group, signaling the onset of their eventual disbandment. Different factions within the band attributed blame to various sources, including disagreements over hiring Allen Klein as a business manager, the troubled Get Back sessions, and, notably, the influence of Yoko Ono.

Next to exit was John Lennon, who, unlike Harrison and Starr, was resolute in his decision. By February 1970, he had already released three solo singles: “Give Peace a Chance,” “Cold Turkey,” and “Instant Karma.” Additionally, he performed live with his newly formed group, further indicating his departure from the Fab Four.

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Recalling that pivotal moment, Ringo Starr remembered in his book Anthology, “After the Plastic Ono Band‘s debut in Toronto, we had a meeting at Savile Row where John finally brought it to its head. He stated, ‘Well, that’s it, lads. Let’s end it.'” This definitive statement from Lennon underscored a turning point for the band. However, in a bid to maintain some semblance of unity while the Beatles negotiated a new contract, Lennon was persuaded to keep the breakup under wraps.

The Get Back project, initially intended to be a return to their roots, was evolving into what would ultimately become the final album titled Let It Be, particularly after Phil Spector was brought in to produce the old recordings. Meanwhile, Paul McCartney was quietly laying the groundwork for his solo debut album. Unexpectedly, promotional materials for his self-titled album, simply named McCartney, surfaced on April 10, 1970, coinciding with the announcement of the Beatles’ separation. McCartney attributed the split to a combination of “personal differences, business differences, and musical differences,” emphasizing that his desire to spend more time with his family played a significant role in his decision. When questioned about whether this break was temporary or permanent, he candidly replied, “I don’t really know.”

Nevertheless, the blind Q&A format yielded contradictory answers, leaving many puzzled. When asked if McCartney represented “a rest away from the Beatles or the start of a solo career,” he stated, “Time will tell. A solo album signifies the beginning of a solo career, but not severing ties with the Beatles means it’s just a pause. So it’s both.” However, when pressed if he could “envision a time when Lennon-McCartney would become an active songwriting partnership again,” McCartney responded simply, “No.”

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Lennon expressed disbelief at the situation. “We were all hurt that he didn’t inform us about his intentions,” Lennon later shared with Rolling Stone. “I was foolish not to follow Paul’s lead, which was to use it as a marketing strategy for a record.” For McCartney, the Q&A was merely a confirmation of what those within the Beatles’ inner circle already understood. He remarked to the BBC, “I didn’t instigate the breakup. That was our Johnny coming in one day and declaring, ‘I’m leaving the group.’ This was my band, my job, my life – I wanted it to endure.”

By December of that year, McCartney had taken the legal step of filing a lawsuit against his former bandmates and the Beatles’ parent company, Apple Corps, to formalize the separation. This legal battle would unravel over several years. Meanwhile, Starr released Sentimental Journey, a collection of standards produced by George Martin, which quickly faded into the background amidst the headlines surrounding the breakup. The album Let It Be was released in May, followed by Harrison’s All Things Must Pass and Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band.

As Lennon poignantly expressed in his new song “God,” the dream of the Beatles had officially ended. Over time, the dubious business practices of Klein would come to light, and perspectives on Ono’s role in the disbanding would also shift. McCartney later commented on Ono, saying, “When Yoko entered the picture, part of her appeal was her avant-garde perspective and unique worldview. She introduced John to another way of being, which held immense allure for him. His departure was inevitable; he was destined to leave. I don’t believe she bears any blame for the breakup.”

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