Paul McCartney on the Beatles breakup: “Let's face it, we didn't welcome Yoko in the studio”

Much has been said and written about the break-up of The Beatles - and what might have been the catalyst that drove the final nail in the coffin. It was a combination of things - band members feeling neglected, resentment (“We’re the grooves, so just watch it, okay?”), pressure to deliver new music, the aftermath of Brian Epstein’s premature death, the drudgery of living in each others pockets day-to-day for years... and according to the narrative at the time, Yoko’s presence while the group was at work.

The Fabs fall apart

It’s not even entirely clear who split the group. John Lennon claimed he wanted out but didn’t know how to break it to the other three so rather than confront them, he let it simmer - perhaps hoping it would all run its natural course and peter out. Then, in April 1970, Paul McCartney let slip that it was all over in a press release interview for his new solo album that there would be no more Beatles - no new music, no tours or shows, no more writing collaborations with John.

To the question, “Are you planning a new album or single with the Beatles?” Paul bluntly replied, “No”. He elaborated, citing “personal differences, business differences, musical differences, but most of all because I have a better time with my family”. He added that he didn’t really know if the break from the Beatles would be ”temporary or permanent".

By this time, all four members had left the band at one point or another only to be persuaded to come back. Ringo had had a bellyful by the time of the White album and slipped off to Sardinia. George (“I’ll play whatever you want me to play, or I won’t play at all”), upped and left during the Get Back sessions, hurling a sarky potshot: “I’ll see you ‘round the clubs”. His bandmates’ embarrassment was captured and can be seen in Peter Jackson’s documentary.

Source: en.as.com/Andy Hall

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