For a decade, The Beatles ruled the world. Then it all came to an abrupt end in 1970. On April 10, 1070—less than six months after releasing the instantly iconic Abbey Road—bassist Paul McCartney shocked the world by announcing he was leaving the band and embarking on a solo career. Unbeknownst to fans, John Lennon had also exited months earlier.
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Did Paul McCartney Break Up the Beatles?
While history has mostly blamed Paul McCartney for ending The Beatles, Ringo Starr was actually the first to quit the band. In August 1968, the frustrated drummer walked out of The White Album recordings.
While he returned two weeks later, lead guitarist George Harrison was also feeling overlooked. And John Lennon had been quibbling with his own departure amid rising solo success. Reportedly, the co-lead vocalist finalized his decision in September 1969 after performing with wife Yoko Ono at the Toronto Rock & Roll Festival. Seeing the enthusiastic reception, he returned to London and informed his bandmates he wanted “a divorce.”
Afterwards, a devastated McCartney isolated himself at his family’s Scottish farm. Eventually, he began making a series of home recordings that would eventually become his solo debut album, 1970’s McCartney. A week ahead of its April 17, 1970 release, the singer-songwriter delivered the news that would stun the music industry.
Instead of promoting the album in interviews, McCartney composed a Q&A press release that he sent to select outlets. The final question read, “Do you foresee a time when Lennon/McCartney becomes an active songwriting partnership again?”
“No,” McCartney replied.
50 years ago today – april 10, 1970 – paul mccartney announced to the press that he's quitting the band
— andrey #McCartney80 (@drivemycartney) April 10, 2020
and the beatles broke up. pic.twitter.com/ljvmGkUdFx
John Lennon Lashes Out in Rolling Stone Interview
When Paul McCartney’s announcement of The Beatles breakup hit the press, John Lennon was furious. The “Imagine” singer had wanted to announce the split six months earlier, but had kept quiet for the sake of his bandmates.
Lennon told a reporter regarding the news that “Paul hasn’t left. I sacked him,” via Twin Cities.
Lennon further took his revenge at the end of the year with a blistering Rolling Stone interview. The ex-Beatle unraveled the tapestry of the Liverpool band’s mythology. “F—in’ big bastards, that’s what the Beatles were,” he said. “You have to be a bastard to make it, that’s a fact, and the Beatles are the biggest bastards on earth.”
Featured image via Getty Images
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