Episode 27 – Beatles ’68 pt11

1968 was another year of drastic transformation for The Beatles, and by December the group was ready to take a breath and let the world continue to absorb their new double album. Apple's biggest success story, Mary Hopkin, was back in the studio with Paul preparing a full length LP to follow-up on the massive hit single Those Were The Days, and the pair was joined by Donovan (who had made quite an impact on the Beatle sound in 1968). John and Yoko retreated to their Kenwood home where John would pen a new slew of songs such as Don't Let Me Down and Oh My Love. Ringo's latest film Candy held its premiere and Apple's latest find James Taylor saw his very first self-titled LP debut. On December 11th John joined the Rolling Stones for their ultimately unreleased Rock and Roll Circus television special. Appearing as "the Dirty Mac", John performed the double album track Yer Blues alongside Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and Mitch Mitchell to sizzling results. John would later remark that this experience opened his eyes to just how rewarding playing with different musicians could be. 1968 took four boys and made them into four men, and the year that followed would test friendships, yield more brilliant music, and see the disintegration of the biggest band to ever grace the world stage...