Episode 34 – Beatles ’69 pt7

Like a supernova, the summer of ‘69 was a burst of unprecedented prolific energy from the world’s brightest band. But the end was near. Following another fruitful bed-in for peace, this time in Montreal Canada, John and Yoko record and release a new anthem for the peace movement: Give Peace A Chance. The song carried the Lennon/McCartney writing credit, a rare peace-offering from John to Paul in one of the most trying periods of their lives. As The Beatles put the final touches on their forthcoming album, known for a time as “Everest”, their commercial successes continued to mount. The #1 hit single Get Back was barely out for a few months before it was quickly followed by another #1 hit single: The Ballad of John and Yoko. Like just about everything else John Lennon did in 1969, the tune’s lyrical reference to crucifixion carried with it some controversy and some radio stations opted not to play it for that very reason. George, meanwhile, championed another Apple group called The Radha Krishna Temple, producing for them a song called Hare Krishna Mantra and fulfilling his promise to bring world music to the pop world. Paul and Linda welcomed daughter Mary to the world, traveling to Scotland where the ever-growing family would find respite from Apple’s ever-worsening business troubles. Come September, John and Yoko found themselves performing live on stage with Eric Clapton, Klaus Voormann and Alan White as the Plastic Ono Band for a rock and roll revival concert in Toronto. Aboard the plane, and to the rest of his bandmates later on the eve of their new album’s release, John Lennon announced he would be quitting The Beatles...