A handful of concerts are “legendary” shows, and the Beatles playing their last live performance on the roof of Apple in London is certainly near the top of the list.
I’ve always liked this footage from Let It Be. The rooftop is an interesting and unusual space to play, and the shots of people in the streets realizing what’s going on are classic. The band seems to be having a lot of fun. A little bit of rule-breaking reminds Londoners they are alive, at least for a short while, until the police shut things down. Imagine if they had let it go for even a few more minutes.
Of course, the Beatles shut things down themselves not long after. This seems like a pretty good way to go out, performance-wise.
Billy Preston joins John, Paul, George, and Ringo. His keyboards shine during “I’ve Got A Feeling”. Alan Parsons is the recording engineer.
It was January!
http://youtu.be/lBeiuZ933uw
"A Bit of an Imposition"
Oh, sweet Chris. That was a real treat. Thanks. I was surprised to see John & Paul in what looked to be a very tight rapport, friendly even, so close to the breakup. And Dang! but don’t they look young.
rooftop
Yes, they ‘passed the audition’ and they ‘never let us down’. In this age of hyped stardom it’s great to reflect this year on a band that possessed creativity and never held back. My students are enjoying the recent focus on the Beatles because of the 50th anniversary. They are truly up there with the greats of 20th century music… of all music… of all time. This is a great set. Thanks for putting the link up.
"I can't make bloody sense of it" (lady in crowd)
Bet she changed her tune later on that iconic day, a lucky day to be on duty during that Bobby’s shift at the scene catching the last two tunes atop Apple headquarters, but having to be the one to pull the plug on John’s amp to shut the whole amazing set down just when they got rolling, what a crime against humanity, poor lad, no wonder they pull the brim of their Bobby hats below eye level!!!
It’s hard not to get choked up watching this, yes, they went out in style only the Beatles originality could pull off, they were from a higher place than just that roof top that final day, up lifting, the playful Beatle magic shaking us out of our daily monotony, making us take off our shoes and think again about our position in the world! Thanks, I needed a dose of Beatle cheer.
Decades made especially for me
I would forsake every advance in technology and medicine to be transported back to the Sixties and Seventies, just as I was and as things were and the same things that happened as in those days, without hesitation.
I would jump back just for the absolutely wonderful sexual freedom alone, but really, I’d embrace those two decades that cannot be what they were without The Beatles.
I walked into and through those years as if they were made especially for me. And, I wasn’t alone in feeling that way.