Breaking Up is Hard to Do: For Beatles Fans Only
Much has been written about the Beatles break up. This band of all bands were at the top of their game and at the height of their fame. How could they let this happen?
How could they not?
John, George, Paul and Ringo were just men. Working class boys with a passion to play in an era when this whole idea of rock was in it’s infancy.
If you’ve ever been in a band, heck, if you’ve ever been in a relationship before you know. It starts off great, and then you find out the other person has faults. You don’t. The other person does.
Add to that the creative spirit that goes into the passion of making music. What I like. What you like. Do they intersect? Somewhat. At other places they divide.
Have you ever known a person who shares your exact same musical tastes? Of course not. There will be a difference of opinion. A parting of the ways.
Add to that the intense scrutiny and fame these boys found so quickly. The pressure to perform. To top their last success. To conform to what their fans wanted versus what they wanted.
Add to that the vast sums of money and how that changes relationships. Add to that being away from their families. Add to that the temptations of women throwing themselves at them.
Add to that the constant media microscope that followed them from 1964 until their break up in 1970. Add to that the intense schedule of writing, recording, touring, writing, recording, touring.
Add to that the drugs.
There’s no way a human being can continue in that set of circumstances. It’s amazing they lasted as long as they did. It’s incredible they produced those hundreds of songs in six years.
In hindsight, although it was painful for those of us who experienced their break up, I’m glad they quit on top. They set an example for so many others in the entertainment industry.
They left us wanting more.