In response to suggestions that the lead-singer was responsible for The Beatles' break-up, Paul McCartney has set the record straight.
In an episode of “The Cultural Life” on BBC Radio 4 that will air on October 23rd, McCartney says that it was bandmate John Lennon who wanted the group to disband. “I didn’t instigate the split,” said Paul, “That was our Johnny.”
The years-long debate by fans as to who was responsible for the devastating end to the group’s run often would leave McCartney with the blame, despite there never having been a concrete answer. Paul set the record straight, saying Lennon’s desire to “break loose” was the fuel to the fiery split.
With business deals hanging in the balance, the band’s manager asked the group to stay mum on the breakup entirely, let alone revealing who the culprit was.
Peter Jackson is set to have a six-hour documentary chronicling the final months leading to the band’s split titled: “The Beatles: Get Back.” It’s set to release in November on Disney+ and will almost certainly address the ultimate split.
John Wilson, the conductor of the interview, asked McCartney about his decision to break off on his own, but was quickly set straight; “Stop right there. I am not the person who instigated the split,” said Paul, “Oh no, no, no. John walked into a room one day and said, ‘I am leaving The Beatles.’ Is that instigating the split, or not?”
McCartney expressed his sadness regarding the breakup and felt the group was still making “pretty good stuff.” “This was my band, this was my job, this was my life…so I wanted it to continue.”