When was Let It Be by the Beatles released?
Let It Be was released on the 8th of May 1970, nearly a month after the official announcement of the Beatles' break-up. It was the band's twelfth and final studio album.
Questions about Let It Be (album)
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Why did George Harrison temporarily leave the Beatles during the Let It Be sessions?
Harrison walked out during rehearsals at Twickenham Film Studios on the 10th of January 1969, following a heated dispute with Lennon and ongoing friction with McCartney over creative direction. He agreed to return on the condition that the band abandon the live concert plan and move to their own Apple Studio at 3 Savile Row.
What happened at the Beatles' rooftop concert?
The Beatles and keyboardist Billy Preston performed on the rooftop of 3 Savile Row on the 30th of January 1969. The unannounced concert drew crowds in the streets below and prompted police to ascend to the roof; it ended with the final note of "Get Back".
Why did Paul McCartney object to Phil Spector's production on Let It Be?
McCartney had conceived "The Long and Winding Road" as a simple piano ballad, but Spector added orchestral and choral overdubs without McCartney's approval. McCartney later spearheaded Let It Be... Naked (2003), which removed Spector's additions from the album.
How was Let It Be received by critics when it was first released?
Initial reviews were largely negative. NME described it as "a cheapskate epitaph", and Rolling Stone criticised the Spector production. Despite commercial success topping charts in the US and UK, it came to be regarded as one of the most controversial albums in rock history.
What is The Beatles: Get Back and how does it relate to Let It Be?
The Beatles: Get Back is a three-part documentary series directed by Peter Jackson, released on Disney+ in November 2021. It was assembled from footage originally shot for the Let It Be film and covers the January 1969 sessions and rooftop concert. A super deluxe edition of the Let It Be album, including the original 1969 Glyn Johns mix, was released alongside it in October 2021.