With his debut solo album McCartney due for release on 17 April 1970, Paul McCartney chose not to do any promotional interviews. Instead, he asked Apple’s Peter Brown to write a list of questions to which he supplied the answers. They included his ruminations on the Beatles and the end of his partnership with John Lennon.
McCartney’s self-interview caused an immediate storm after its contents were revealed by Daily Mirror journalist Don Short, and its contents were widely reported around the world. Although speculation had been rife for the previous six months, confirmation that the group was no more still came as a shock to many.
The world reaction was like ‘The Beatles Have Broken Up – It’s Official’ – we’d known it for months. So that was that, really. I think it was the press who misunderstood. The record had come with this weird explanation on a questionnaire of what I was doing. It was actually only for them. I think a few people thought it was some weird move of me to get publicity, but it was really to avoid having to do the press.
Anthology
Although McCartney did not directly say that The Beatles had split up, his disparaging comments about the group, their management by Allen Klein and his assertion that Lennon-McCartney would not become an active songwriting team effectively cut the ties.
McCartney’s actions also angered John Lennon, who had left the group some months ago but was persuaded to keep quiet while their final album Let It Be – here twice referred to by McCartney by its working title Get Back – was due for release.
The press release was divided into two parts. The first was McCartney’s questionnaire; the second detailed the songs on his album.
Q: Why did you decide to make a solo album?
A: Because I got a Studer four-track recording machine at home – practiced on it (playing all instruments) – liked the results, and decided to make it into an album.
Q: Were you influenced by John’s adventures with the Plastic Ono Band, and Ringo’s solo LP?
A: Sort of, but not really.
Q: Are all songs by Paul McCartney alone?
A: Yes sir.
Q: Will they be so credited: McCartney?
A: It’s a bit daft for them to be Lennon/McCartney credited, so “McCartney” it is.
Q: Did you enjoy working as a solo?
A: Very much. I only had me to ask for a decision, and I agreed with me. Remember Linda’s on it too, so it’s really a double act.
Q: What is Linda’s contribution?
A: Strictly speaking she harmonizes, but of course it’s more than that because she’s a shoulder to lean on, a second opinion, and a photographer of renown. More than all this, she believes in me – constantly.
Q: Where was the album recorded?
A: At home, at EMI (no. 2 studio) and at Morgan Studios (Willesden!)
Q: What is your home equipment (in some detail)?
A: Studer four-track machine. I only had, however, one mike, and as Mr Pender, Mr Sweatenham and others only managed to take six months or so (slight delay) I worked without VU meters or a mixer, which meant that everything had to be listened to first (for distortion etc…) then recorded. So the answer – Studer, one mike, and nerve.
Q: Why did you choose to work in the studios you chose?
A: They were available. EMI is technically very good and Morgan is cozy.
Q: The album was not known about until it was nearly completed. Was this deliberate?
A: Yes, because normally an album is old before it even comes out. (aside) Witness GET BACK.
Q: Why?
A: I’ve always wanted to buy a Beatles album like people do and be as surprised as they must be. So this was the next best thing. Linda and I are the only two who will be sick of it by the release date. We love it really.
Q: Are you able to describe the texture or the feel of the album in a few words?
A: Home, family, love.
Q: How long did it take to complete?
A: From just before (I think) Xmas, until now. THE LOVELY LINDA was the first thing I recorded at home, and was originally to test the equipment. That was around Xmas.
Q: Assuming all the songs are new to the public, how new are they to you? Are they recent
A: One was from 1959 (HOT AS SUN). Two are from India – JUNK and TEDDY BOY, and the rest are pretty recent. VALENTINE DAY, MOMMA MISS AMERICA and OO YOU were ad-libbed on the spot.
Q: Which instruments have you played on the album?
A: Bass, drums, acoustic guitar, lead guitar, piano and organ-mellotron, toy xylophone, bow and arrow.
Q: Have you played all these instruments on earlier recordings?
A: Yes, drums being the one that I normally wouldn’t do.
Q: Why did you do all the instruments yourself?
A: I think I’m pretty good.
Q: Will Linda be heard on all future records?
A: Could be. We love singing together and have plenty of opportunity for practice.
Q: Will Paul and Linda become a John and Yoko?
A: No, they will become Paul and Linda.
Q: What has recording alone taught you?
A: That to make your own decisions about what you do is easy, and playing with yourself is very difficult, but satisfying.
Q: Who has done the artwork?
A: Linda has taken all the photos, and she and I designed the package.
Q: Is it true that neither Allen Klein nor ABKCO have been nor will be in any way involved with the production, manufacturing, distribution or promotion of this new album?
A: Not if I can help it.
Q: Did you miss the other Beatles and George Martin? Was there a moment when you thought, ‘I wish Ringo were here for this break?’
A: No.
Q: Assuming this is a very big hit album, will you do another?
A: Even if it isn’t, I will continue to do what I want, when I want to.
Q: Are you planning a new album or single with the Beatles?
A: No.
Q: Is this album a rest away from the Beatles or the start of a solo career?
A: Time will tell. Being a solo album means it’s “the start of a solo career…” and not being done with the Beatles means it’s just a rest. So it’s both.
Q: Is your break with the Beatles temporary or permanent, due to personal differences or musical ones?
A: Personal differences, business differences, musical differences, but most of all because I have a better time with my family. Temporary or permanent? I don’t really know.
Q: Do you foresee a time when Lennon-McCartney becomes an active songwriting partnership again?
A: No.
Q: What do you feel about John’s peace effort? The Plastic Ono Band? Giving back the MBE? Yoko’s influence? Yoko?
A: I love John, and respect what he does – it doesn’t really give me any pleasure.
Q: Were any of the songs on the album originally written with the Beatles in mind?
A: The older ones were. JUNK was intended for ABBEY ROAD, but something happened. TEDDY BOY was for GET BACK, but something happened.
Q: Were you pleased with ABBEY ROAD? Was it musically restricting?
A: It was a good album. (No. 1 for a long time.)
Q: What is your relationship with Klein?
A: It isn’t. I am not in contact with him, and he does not represent me in ANY way.
Q: What is your relationship with Apple?
A: It is the office of a company which I part own with the other three Beatles. I don’t go there because I don’t like offices or business, especially when I am on holiday.
Q: Have you any plans to set up an independent production company?
A: McCartney Productions.
Q: What sort of music has influenced you on this album?
A: Light and loose.
Q: Are you writing more prolifically now? Or less so?
A: About the same. I have a queue waiting to be recorded.
Q: What are your plans now? A holiday? A musical? A movie? Retirement?
A: My only plan is to grow up!
Also on this day...
- 2011: The Beatles’ first contract to be auctioned
- 2003: Paul McCartney live: Manchester Evening News Arena, Manchester
- 2002: Paul McCartney live: United Center, Chicago
- 1970: George Harrison is interviewed for the BBC’s Fact Or Fantasy
- 1970: The Beatles’ final press release
- 1967: Paul McCartney performs on The Beach Boys’ Vegetables
- 1965: Television: Top Of The Pops
- 1964: US album release: The Beatles’ Second Album
- 1964: Filming: A Hard Day’s Night
- 1963: The Beatles live: Majestic Ballroom, Birkenhead
- 1962: Stuart Sutcliffe dies
- 1961: The Beatles live: Top Ten Club, Hamburg
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
The sense of frustration and impending liberation is palpable in the self-interview. McCartney’s brash tone no doubt ticked off the other Beatles, but they (except perhaps Ringo) seemed just as ready to leave the band, so it was not a matter of when but HOW the band was going to break up.
The Beatles’ business problems also were a major contributor to the break-up, as McCartney’s comments about Allen Klein make clear.
McCartney was obviously relieved to be his own boss for this record, but not having to answer to anyone else would prove to be a detriment to him in the long run as he lapsed into self-indulgence far too often in his post-Beatles career.
John had already left the group but without fanfare like Paul did to promote a record.
the group was in limbo. john ended it, but didn’t end it at the same time. paul was inevitably going to be asked that question, and how could you not be fed up at that point with feeling like this great thing was over, but no one had the nerve to just say it already to the rest of the world. the idea that paul did it for promotional reasons is to make him out to be more machiavelli like then he was in reality.
Yeah, the notion of announcing a breakup as a way of promoting a record is just ridiculous. Paul basically did the opposite.
The announcement of the breakup and of a solo McCartney album were in the same press release of April 10, 1970.
If this wasn’t using the public announcement of the breakup to promote a solo record, what was it?
How is it ridiculous? Millions of people do it. It gets people wondering if the solo work is as good. And Paul did do it to promote McCartney. He knew the press would be on it, so he added more fuel to the fire that would have been set.
John had left the group with lots of fanfare: all those bed-ins, bag-ins, Toronto concert (why didn’t he invite Paul, George and Ringo to that one?), records, happenings and exhibitions. More than obvious he had actually left the group.
Actually, John DID invite George to play on the Toronto gig, but George turned it down, because he knew half of it would be Yoko’s BS.
John said lots of stuff and changed his mind all the time. There is an interview with him in Vienna after he supposedly ‘left’ the group where he explicitly states that he wants the Beatles to tour again.
Read it again!
Q: Assuming this is a very big hit album, will you do another?
A: Even if it isn’t, I will continue to do what I want, when I want to.
Q: Are you planning a new album or single with the Beatles?
A: No.
Q: Is this album a rest away from the Beatles or the start of a solo career?
A: Time will tell. Being a solo album means it’s “the start of a solo career…” and not being done with the Beatles means it’s just a rest. So it’s both.
Q: Is your break with the Beatles temporary or permanent, due to personal differences or musical ones?
A: Personal differences, business differences, musical differences, but most of all because I have a better time with my family. Temporary or permanent? I don’t really know.
This is NOT announcing a split!
Correct, he never said he was leaving the group although his comments were interpreted as such. My take on it was he was pissed off with the whole Beatles situation and was engaging in a bit of brinksmanship a bit like a spurned lover trying to win back his partner by pretending they don’t care and making a big show of how happy they are. When the comments were taken as being an announcement of the break up nobody in the band could be bothered to challenge it. Don’t just take my word for out, check out the interview Derek Taylor gave shortly after this ‘announcement’ .
I think worth remembering here is that at the time Paul was just shy of 28 years old. That’s young, still a kid really. I suggest that his emotional immaturity (as with any 28 year-old) got the best of him and he used this Q&A as a passive aggressive way to get back at the other three and promote his new album.
John’s immediate reaction was that Paul used the break-up and promo piece to sell an album – that he was a great PR man and John wished he’d done that. I think John (also a young man at the time) was spot on.
John later said that every time Paul was about to put out an album he would hint at a Beatles reunion – there’s a lot of credence to that statement.
I was abut 13 when this came out and it was really confusing because of the obvious anger in it. This was sort of the first public chink in the armor of the Beatles’ friendship – which in the day was a key part of their unique popularity – that they were friends as well as great music etc.
So I think this press release was the deliberate act of a young man who was hurt, angry and yet very astute on how to manipulate the media.
There’s a lot of truth in what you say and I think your right. I would also mention that footage taken around 1975 ? of McCartney and Harrison signing the legal documents effectively ending the Beatles . McCartney looks quite disbelieving as if to say , how did it come to this ?
Whole heartedly agree with you Neil. I’ve read and reread the comments. Paul is crafty with his replies.
“Temporary or permanent? I don’t really know.”
Each of The Beatles at one time or another had left the group. In the video “Get Back” it is very clear why George left. The Beatles had become the Paul McCartney and Band. But we knew that from Sgt Pepper. That was Paul’s concept from the beginning.
If you ask me each one left The Beatles in their own way. At the end of part 1 of “Get Back” the bickering George and Paul escalated. George walked out. The close of Part 1 is heart breaking with George’s song “Isn’t It A Pity”.
I agree that Paul had essentially taken over leadership of the group from Sgt. Pepper onward. And I can see with years of hindsight and all the biographies and first hand accounts of those days, how this became overbearing to the other Beatles leading to everyone being fed up as they grew up out of their 20’s. But I also feel that if he hadn’t done so, the group would have ended much earlier. John was unhappy by 1965 with the ridiculous rise in popularity in such a short time and he never really reconciled it, as evidenced by his later interviews calling the Beatles “crap” and “not real.” George first remarked about not being a Beatle anymore after that last San Francisco concert. They all seemed to struggle with keeping a good thing together and getting the heck out of the madness.
Once Brian E. died, Paul must have noticed the lack of unity and motivation for the group to continue. So, while he may have been bossy about it, and should have been more sensitive and supportive to the others’ needs, it seems very clear his drive kept them all pushing onward. It had to be frustrating to have workmates who didn’t want to work, and feel you had to be the primary source of positive and creative energy, only to have the others resent you for it.
And it wasn’t all just Paul’s influence. He went along with the Indian thing, right after Pepper, that was really driven by George and largely led to the White Album.
It’s hard to imagine a world without the later Beatles albums but they could have ended at any time after the mid-60’s. It’s hard to imagine a world without Abbey Road or Let it Be or even Magical Mystery Tour, or some of the incredible late singles like Hey Jude, Revolution, Ballad of John and Yoko or Old Brown Shoe. I suppose those last four songs might all have happened anyway as solo offerings, but given the strange alchemy that made the Beatles more than the sum of their parts, I prefer things as they actually happened.
All four knew that ‘McCartney’ would be in competition with ‘Let It Be’ on the charts by force of release dates, so, commercially, PM had a split interest regarding promotion that his former band mates did not.
Ringo released his first solo album “Sentimental Journey” around the same time and it charted in the top ten UK.
I believe BeatlesBible should also include this as a Key Date in Beatles’ history, since John Lennon announcing to the group that he was leaving, on Sept. 20 1969–seven months before McCartney–put things in motion. ‘Live Peace Toronto,’ a gold album, was high in the charts for John’s Plastic Ono Band by December. He could easily have told Rolling Stone or New Musical Express, BBC or others that he’d left. “Instant Karma” was a hit single early in 1970, but again, silence–since Paul and Allen Klein had requested it. Ringo and George Harrison were at work on their solo albums. Articles appeared regularly questioning if the group had a future. This beatlesbible article, with photos taken of John, Yoko, Klein, Paul and Ringo on the day John told them, 20/9/1969, deserves placement in the front page list of Key Dates: John Lennon reveals he is leaving The Beatles
Saturday 20 September 1969
https://www.beatlesbible.com/1969/09/20/john-lennon-reveals-he-is-leaving-the-beatles/
John also gave an interview after this Is want a divorce’ statement in which he stated he wanted the Beatles to tour again. He said a lot of stuff and tried to manipulate the situation by threatening to leave. He got angry at Paul because McCartney beat him at his own game here.
All good things must pass. Sir Paul managed to eke out a second career!
As his biggest fan, I am eagerly waiting to see him in September in Winnipeg, Canada, for the 3rd time in 5 years. You simply must buy Egypt Station! It is FAB!
I love this Paul. He’s so diplomatic now.
This was also not the way Paul and John Agreed it would happen.
In professional wrestling parlance, this is heel Paul, not babyface Paul.
Watching ‘Get Back,’ and then Macca beautifully crooning ‘All Things Must Pass’ at George’s tribute gig- confirming his own statement in the aforementioned movie- ‘we’ll be singing these one day in the future(sic)” – what a BALLS UP they made of it all!!