9. The Beatles’ breakup was revealed in the spring
On April 10, 1970, Paul McCartney released advance copies of his first solo album to journalists. That in itself was not a shock, the other Beatles had all released projects which were outside the group. But McCartney’s album contained within a mock question and answer interview, which he had written, in which his departure from The Beatles was announced. He also made clear he had no plans to write songs with his long-time partner John Lennon for the then foreseeable future. Headlines around the world announced that Paul had broken up The Beatles. In truth, Lennon had announced his departure months earlier to the group, with the news kept private for reasons regarding contract negotiations.
The announcement was nonetheless the effective end of the band which had dominated the music industry in the ‘60s. Fans around the world mourned, and it became a common subject of debate in the United States over who was at fault for the breakup. Most of the blame in American eyes was directed at Yoko Ono. Others blamed it on Paul’s wife, Linda. Rumors that The Beatles would reunite after all their solo projects were completed stretched through the summer and autumn. On New Year’s Eve, 1970, McCartney filed suit in the High Court of Justice to dissolve the business partnership between the members of The Beatles. Rumors of a reunion continued up to Lennon’s death in 1980, and beyond.