Post by yerblues1968 on Feb 1, 2009 19:27:35 GMT -5
THE BEATLES ROOFTOP CONCERT
The original concept for the film project called for the documentary to end with a live show, the first live public performance by the band since the end of their last tour, on August 29, 1966, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. However, agreeing on a format for the live show proved problematic. Paul McCartney suggested playing a small club, like the Beatles had in the early days. John Lennon suggested an overseas location such as Africa (although he also expressed a sarcastic desire to perform the show in an asylum). Ringo Starr held out for staying home in England. George Harrison showed little enthusiasm for any live performance at all.
The rooftop of Abbey Road Studios on 3 Savile Row, London
where The Beatles played their last public performance
together on January 30, 1969.
After failing to agree on any other venue, the band settled for an unannounced concert atop their own building, Apple's headquarters in Savile Row near Piccadilly Circus. The Beatles, accompanied by Preston, performed on January 30, 1969 — intercut in the film with interviews of some rather surprised Londoners near the Apple headquarters as the music blasts out from the roof. The performance and the film close with the police arriving and shutting the concert down. The rooftop concert has been a popular bootleg ever since, and was to be the final public performance by the Beatles.
The Beatles played five songs during the rooftop performance: Get Back (three times), Don't Let Me Down (twice), I've Got a Feeling (twice), One After 909, and Dig a Pony. (The Beatles also played a brief version of the British national anthem, God Save the Queen and a brief rehearsal of I Want You (She's So Heavy) while second engineer Alan Parsons was changing tapes. Those performances were omitted from the film.)
After the final song, McCartney says, "Thanks, Mo!" acknowledging the enthusiastic applause and cheering from Maureen Starkey. Then Lennon closes with his well-known remark, "I'd like to say 'thank you' on behalf of the group and ourselves, and I hope we passed the audition!" This exchange was spliced on to the end of the Let It Be album.
The Beatles Rooftop Concert. Occasional subtitles in German.
[May be viewed in High Definition (HD).] - Part 1 of 3.
Setup, "Get Back," "Don't Let Me Down." (7:32 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKxPKQdP6N8
The Beatles Rooftop Concert. Occasional subtitles in German.
[May be viewed in High Definition (HD).] - Part 2 of 3.
"I've Got A Feeling." "One After 909." (6:18 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNOH1yPoUGE
The Beatles Rooftop Concert. Occasional subtitles in German.
[May be viewed in High Definition (HD).] - Part 3 of 3.
"Dig A Pony." "Get Back." (7:26 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jApdtv1xwT0
The Beatles Rooftop Concert. Interview with Apple executive
Neil Aspinall and The Beatles about the rooftop concert.
[May be viewed in High Definition (HD).] (10:03 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUOrdsl2buM
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_It_Be_(film)