Let It Be On Disney+: Why Did the Beatles Break Up?

The Beatles are one of the most iconic bands in music history. Their songs are revered as timeless classics by rock enthusiasts. Throughout their career, they crafted an extensive catalog comprising hundreds of compositions. However, their breakup is still a subject of intense discussion.

People often forget that The Beatles were active for only 10 years: 1960 to 1970. Their first album, Please Please Me, was released in 1963, after which it only took 7 years for John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr to go their separate ways.

Many factors contributed to the split of the Beatles. According to History.com, some were financial issues, disagreements between its members, and Yoko Ono’s relationship with John Lennon. After the Beatles’ chapter ended, John, Paul, George, and Ringo focused on their solo careers. Paul and Ringo are still active musicians. However, the other two died several years ago. John died in 1980 after Mark David Chapman shot him in New York City, while George, who suffered from cancer, breathed his last in 2001.

Disney+ recently released a documentary titled Let It Be that showcased The Beatles rehearsing and recording music in January 1969. Eventually, their endeavor led to the release of the band’s 12th and final full-length album, Let It Be. The director of this project is Michael Lindsay-Hogg, and it was created in 1970. The documentary available on Disney+ is a high-quality, restored version.

Per IMDb, Let It Be’s synopsis reads, “The filmed account of The Beatles’ attempt to recapture their old group spirit by making a back-to-basics album, which instead drove them further apart.”

Let It Be came out on Disney+ on May 8, 2024. Its producer and cinematographer were Neil Aspinall and Anthony B. Richmond, respectively.

Reasons that contributed to the Beatles’ break-up

History.com reported that many believe manager Brian Epstein’s 1967 death played a major role in the Beatles’ dissolution. Epstein was initially a record store owner with zero experience in managing bands. Nevertheless, his hard work paid off, and the band became a household name throughout the 1960s. Reports suggest that Brian had extensive skills in managing finances. Additionally, he was the glue that kept John, Paul, George, and Ringo together.

A year before Brian’s passing, the Beatles decided to stop performing live and solely focus on their music. The manager strongly opposed this decision, but the band remained adamant, which led to serious financial problems. The Beatles simply stopped making money like they used to when they were touring. After Brian’s passing, conflicts arose between the members. They made several attempts to make money but didn’t achieve much success.

Lennon, Harrison, and Starr wanted The Rolling Stones’ manager Allen Klein to take over Brian Epstein’s role, however, McCartney wanted his soon-to-be father and brother-in-law, Lee and John Eastman to be the band’s new manager. Eventually, during a September 20, 1969, meeting with Klein, John Lennon informed Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr that he was set to leave the band. Their financial situation improved after signing a lucrative deal with Apple Records, but after Lennon’s departure, the Beatles’ glorious chapter concluded.

Fans also believe Yoko Ono’s relationship with John Lennon led to the split of the Beatles. John and Yoko met in 1966, and the couple became inseparable within a few years. Reports suggest that her presence greatly influenced John’s songwriting and creativity. In recent years, critics have stated that there is not enough proof to say that Yoko was responsible for the band’s dissolution.

The animosity between John Lennon and Paul McCartney

A journalist named Tim Riley stated blaming her for their split was stupidity and blatant racism. He said, “I think this idea that Yoko breaks up the band is one of the most racist, insidious, stupidest small-minded things you could possibly say.”

Furthermore, Riley stated that John himself went along with this narrative because he wanted to distance himself from Paul, George, and Ringo. By involving Yoko in the band, he wanted to send them the message that he was ready to move. In reality, the Beatles were suffering from financial problems and creative differences. John was also heavily addicted to heroin.

After the Beatles split, while both John Lennon and Paul McCartney held Yoko Ono responsible for their conflict, their rivalry began way before she entered the picture. In a 1971 conversation with Rolling Stone Magazine, Lennon revealed that he had to either choose between the band or Ono. He said, “I had to either be married to them [the band] or Yoko, and I chose Yoko.”

John Lennon and Paul McCartney met when they were teenagers. Initially, their partnership was solid, but as time went by, creative differences arose. Eventually, they began resenting each other for different approaches to making music. After the Beatles’ split, this rivalry became public. Paul McCartney criticized Lennon and Ono in the song “Too Many People,” from his solo album, Ram. In response, in the song “How Do You Sleep?”, Lennon stated that his former bandmate’s new music was not as good as his older compositions.

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