Episode 24 – Beatles ’68 pt8

Episode 24

October 13, 1968 through November 21, 1968

It's the fall of 1968 and TWO Beatles solo albums are on the way. George Harrison holds the honor of the first solo record released by a Beatle (if we're not counting the Family Way soundtrack by Paul two years prior) with Wonderwall. Wonderwall is­ a soundtrack album chockfull of jams and electronic sounds that pushed some major boundaries at the time.

Next up would be the most controversial release of any one Beatles' career: ­ John and Yoko's Two Virgins LP. While the actual record did little to rouse the ire of the public, ­ a selection of noises and mood along with­ the cover art became the focal point of worldwide attention. The LP depicted a completely naked and fully frontal John Lennon and Yoko Ono. John knew this statement would be met with backlash from the public, but it was the backlash from the other Beatles that surprised him. The others struggled to embrace this new life for John, and yet another wedge was driven into the group's relationship.

This wasn't the only rough patch for John and Yoko in the fall of '68 ­ the couple were busted for possession of cannabis resin (in the form of "hash") in October. In November Cynthia's divorce suit was granted within days of Yoko suffering a miscarriage.

All on the eve of a new Beatles album...