50th anniversary of the Beatles splitting up

THIS Wednesday marks the 50^th anniversary of the Beatles splitting up, breaking millions of fans hearts on 9 April 1970. Saying that, the split has never been officially announced, although it was clear to anyone close to them that their time had come. On the day itself a press release was issued by Paul McCartney about his first solo album. Most of it focused on the new record but two one word replies made it clear that this was more than just a hiatus from the biggest band ever.  These were “Are you planning a new album or single with the Beatles?” Answer - “No” and “Do you foresee a time when Lennon-McCartney becomes an active song-writing partnership again?” Again - “No.” This left little doubt that the Beatles journey had finally come to an end after eight world changing years together. Things had never been the same since the death of manager Brian Epstein in 1967, leaving a power vacuum that Paul McCartney stepped into, not to the liking of all. Combined with John Lennon’s increasingly out of control drug habit and his relationship with Yoko Ono the vital song writing partnership was looking fragile. However, all four were setting off in differing musical directions and, although seeming terrible news at the time, calling it a day at their peak has probably strengthened their legacy further.