Let me tell you a story about a bombshell that dropped more than 50 years ago. In an interview in April 1970, Paul McCartney announced the Beatles were no more. He said it was due to “personal differences, business differences, musical differences, but most of all because I have a better time with my family.” That statement sent shockwaves around the world and left many pointing fingers at Paul, now 79, as the guy who broke up the band. But in a recent interview with BBC Radio 4, Paul insists he never wanted a "divorce" from his bandmates John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.
When the Beatles Began to Unravel
In his own words, Paul clarifies, "I didn’t start the breakup. That was our Johnny... John walked into a room one day and said, 'I am leaving the Beatles.'” Paul admits he was blindsided by this announcement because he thought the band was still producing great music. "This was my band, my job, my life," he says. "I wanted it to keep going." But John had other plans, and that changed everything.
John Lennon’s New Direction
John Lennon's growing dissatisfaction with being part of the world's most popular band wasn't just about music. He was evolving, expanding his social conscience, and wanted to focus on causes like peace. Remember when he and Yoko Ono famously staged their "Bed-In for Peace" in Amsterdam? That was John being true to his convictions. Paul acknowledges, "You couldn’t argue with that." And contrary to popular belief, Paul doesn’t blame Yoko Ono for John's decision. "The truth is, John was building a new life with Yoko," Paul explains. "They were an incredible couple with a strong bond."
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But John’s departure left the other Beatles in a tough spot. Paul describes it as "the most difficult period of my life." He particularly disliked the legal battles and secrecy that followed. "We were having these little meetings, and it was just so wrong. We were musicians, not businesspeople or lawyers," he recalls. Paul just wanted to move on quickly. "For a few months, we had to pretend everything was okay. It was strange because deep down, we all knew it was the end of the Beatles, but we couldn’t just walk away," he says.
Looking Back with Fondness
Next summer, Paul will celebrate his 80th birthday. As one of the two surviving members of the Beatles, he's been asked countless times to write his memoirs. But, as he puts it, "the time has never felt right." Instead, Paul has created The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, a two-volume collection where he reflects on the origins of his songs, including his work with the Beatles. "These songs tell the story of my life," Paul says, noting that this book, set to release in early November, is "as close to an autobiography" as he might ever write.
During his deep dive into his archives, Paul uncovered some unreleased gems from his collaboration with John, who tragically passed away in 1980. Among these treasures are the lyrics to an unrecorded Lennon-McCartney song titled "Tell Me Who He Is" and a script for a radio play. "It's a funny piece called Pilchard, and it's actually about the Messiah," Paul shares. Despite the challenges of the breakup, Paul looks back on his time with John with awe. "I was working with the legendary John Lennon, and he with me," he says. "That was truly exciting."
