Fifty-seven years ago today, The Beatles performed a concert on the rooftop of the Apple Corps building on Savile Row that lasted nearly 40 minutes, with police officers standing guard throughout the show. This is one of The Beatles' most famous concerts as it was their last live performance before officially disbanding.
Initially, The Beatles did not plan to perform a rooftop concert, nor was there any public invitation. The event arose from hopes that the 'Get Back' project would reunite the members to play live again after about two and a half years away from live performances. The tensions behind this project are documented in the documentary film 'The Beatles: Get Back,' directed by Peter Jackson.
In fact, the idea to perform on the rooftop came only a few days before the actual event. Keyboardist Billy Preston, whom George Harrison had invited to help restore harmony within the band, recalled that the idea originated from John Lennon. However, in the autobiography of sound engineer Glyn Johns, he claimed the idea was his own, inspired by Ringo Starr’s comment during lunch about the beautiful view looking west over London from the rooftop.
Ringo took Johns and Michael Lindsay-Hogg up to see the view for themselves. This all happened on 26 January, just four days before the concert. After seeing the stunning view, Johns and Lindsay-Hogg presented the idea to Paul McCartney, who immediately got excited about it.
Not everyone agreed easily; even Ringo, who praised the rooftop view, was reluctant to perform there. George Harrison also felt uneasy, and tensions rose until Paul had to persuade John that the concert was important and would reconnect the band with their audience after a long absence.
On the day of the performance, with no agreement reached until then, Lindsay-Hogg recalled that during a discussion about what to do, John interjected, “Fuck it, let’s go play.”
The Beatles, along with one keyboardist, took to the Apple Corps rooftop at 12:30 pm, causing surprise and confusion among passersby. Police soon arrived to pressure the band due to noise complaints and traffic disruptions caused by growing crowds. During the performance, there were humorous moments, such as Paul altering the lyrics of 'Get Back' to tease the police. There were also minor issues, including Mal Evans, the band’s manager, trying to turn off George’s amplifier under police orders, but George turned it back on. Light rain began, forcing the band to play through it. The concert ended with John joking, “On behalf of the band, I’d like to say thank you, and we hope we passed the audition.”
The most familiar songs from this performance include 'Don’t Let Me Down,' with band members sporting mustaches and John Lennon having grown his hair long. Little did anyone know that within months, John would leave the band—not for any specific reason, but as a natural part of growing up and seeking personal freedom, a path followed by other members as well.
The Beatles' rooftop concert became a true end point for the band. Although they recorded Abbey Road together as their final album, John left the group in September that same year. The other members, each with their own musical projects, began focusing on solo work, leaving the music and legacy of the Fab Four to be told as a legend for generations to come.
References:
Lewisohn, Mark (2010). The Complete Beatles Chronicle: The Definitive Day-by-Day Guide to the Beatles' Entire Career. Chicago Review Press.
Babiuk, Andy (2002). Beatles Gear: All the Fab Four's Instruments, from Stage to Studio. San Francisco, CA: Backbeat Books.
Johns, Glyn (2014). Sound Man. New York, NY: Plume.