Fans of The Beatles believe they’ve cracked the mystery of why Sir Paul McCartney quit the band 55 years ago today.
The iconic Fab Four disbanded in April 1970, never to perform together again. McCartney’s announcement on this day in 1970 that he was no longer part of the group caused a media frenzy, just as his debut solo album was about to drop.
His self-titled album, featuring the hit ‘Maybe I’m Amazed’, was somewhat overshadowed by the news of his departure from The Beatles.
Now aged 82, McCartney has since confirmed that the band had essentially split before his statement, with John Lennon having told McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison of his intention to leave. Fans are now speculating about McCartney’s reasons for leaving, citing several potential factors.
One fan on the r/TheBeatles subreddit asked: “What was Paul’s reason for quitting?” Another suggested: “Paul’s release of McCartney had a release date set before the Get Back/Let It Be album had. [Allen] Klein and the Beatles decided that Paul’s album would be delayed and Let it Be would take its release date.
“Paul was pretty p***ed at this after being told that he would not be able to change his songs on Let It Be. Before that he always had final say on his own songs.”
The individual stated other possible reasons McCartney could have been prompted to leave, such as “his in-laws being called ‘animals’ by John and the general animosity between them and Klein,” referring to the Beatles’ manager at the time.
They continued: “Klein being the manager of Apple and the band conceding to pay him more than Paul felt he deserved (Paul as member of Apple would be forced to pay for Klein even though he did not want him managing him).”
The deterioration of his professional dynamic with Lennon was pointed out as a contributing factor to the group’s potential demise.
The claim goes: “The pushback of his album was the final straw. He wrote an interview which was very similar to an interview John had given a few months previously, and people read between the lines and saw that he had quit. The world media took Paul’s quitting as the end of the Beatles and the rest is history.”
Another voice entered the conversation – suggesting while McCartney’s departure meant the Beatles were ultimately over, he might have been the only one intent on keeping it together.
A different person commented: “If anyone had wanted to save the group, it would have been Paul. But I think even he realised that this was a case of irreconcilable differences. Someone had to step up and make it official.”
McCartney has since revealed who was responsible for the band’s demise, stating: “I didn’t instigate the split. That was our Johnny [Lennon].” McCartney’s representatives have been approached for a response.
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