Let It Be

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Let It Be · Paul McCartney intended the project as a return to the group's rock 'n' roll roots. In January 1969 rehearsals began at Twickenham for a TV documentary. The mood was bad, as a result of which George Harrison temporarily left. As a condition for his return they went to their own Apple Studio, with Billy Preston on keyboards. On 30 January came the concert on the roof of the studio, their last public performance. Glyn Johns's mixes were rejected, and the project was shelved while the band recorded Abbey Road.

In the end Phil Spector was commissioned to put the album together. He added orchestra and choir to The Long and Winding Road, among others, which offended McCartney. The album came out after the announcement that the band had split up. The reviews were bad at the time, but later opinion became more positive. In 2003 Let It Be... Naked was released without Spector's treatments.

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