May 8, 1970: Beatles Release ‘Let it Be’
The Beatles’ final studio release Let it Be was an effort to get back to the basics. The album was recorded almost completely live and had little to no over-dubbing or effects. This, however, didn’t last long.
Phil Spector was brought in after the fact to add string arrangements and a choir, and then suddenly “basic” was quickly in the rearview.
The album served as the soundtrack to the film of the same name. Even more humorous is that an album with a peaceful-sounding title like Let it Be was recorded in such a supposedly hostile environment, despite the film omitting the band’s alleged numerous tensions.
In spite of this, Let It Be would go on to yield classics like the title track, “Across the Universe,” “The Long and Winding Road” and “Get Back.”
Released a month after The Beatles broke up, Let It Be would top the charts all over the world. The corresponding film was released on May 13, which featured the iconic rooftop concert that was the band’s final public performance.
In January 2019, it was announced that a film made up of 55 hours of never-released footage from the Let It Be filming was in the works and being helmed by Academy Award-winning director Peter Jackson. So far, a release date has yet to be announced.
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