Episode 38 – Beatles ’69 pt10

1969 was undoubtedly one of the most difficult, trying years that The Beatles ever faced - but with Abbey Road dominating charts around the world, the group caught a rare ray of sunshine in the form of yet another stellar hit record. But instead of popping the champagne, the band couldn’t help but continue to scratch their heads at the pervasive “Paul Is Dead” rumor, gaining more and more traction by the day. While Paul McCartney was certainly far from death, The Beatles as a unified entity were nearing their own end times and solo projects populated the later half of the fall. Ringo Starr became the first Beatle to undertake a full length solo studio album, beginning sessions of newly arranged crooner standards that would evolve into the Sentimental Journey LP. John Lennon also branched out in bold new solo directions, becoming the first Beatle to release a commercial single as a solo act - the withdrawal-drenched Cold Turkey. While solo releases were hardly a first for Lennon, Cold Turkey marks a notable departure in that it was mostly straightforward rock song, as opposed to his experimental and anthem forays of the past year. The end of 1969 was around the corner, and with it would come new departures, new beginnings and an end to an era...