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The Last Year In The Life of The Beatles - 1969/1970 (Part 1)

Broadcast: November 28, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

Part 1 of a two-hour special that chronologically follows The Beatles through 1969 and 1970 as they record their final tracks, struggle with their company, squabble with each other, pursue other interests, and ultimately split apart.

Although their fans didn't know it, the music The Beatles were making in 1969 turned out to be the last recordings they would ever make as a four-some. When John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr gathered in the studio the day after New Year's that year, the last chapter of their remarkable journey began with the sometimes contentious Get Back / Let It Be sessions.

The band's business affairs began to unravel soon after and several members' minds started drifting toward getting off The Beatles' merry-go-round. Still they managed to pull off one final masterpiece, Abbey Road, before being photographed together for the last time in August and formally closing the book on the Beatles early in 1970.

Listen to behind the scenes studio chatter, rehearsal takes of songs, and finished classics, mixed with informed commentary from a host of music writers, musicians and fans. Clips from news events and other classic music from the tumultuous year that ended the 1960's will also be blended in.

Commentators include writers Steve Turner, Anthony DeCurtis, Mikal Gilmore, Richie Unterberger, Greg Kot, and Ann Powers, and musicians Shawn Colvin, Richard Goldman, Jon Spurney, and David Gans.

Listen to this episode.