Beatles lore

McKinzie Brantley III · 

Follow

Beatles Aficionado since ’76Updated Jun 12

Might the Beatles have lasted longer if they had taken the path often followed by later bands by having their members do projects away from the band without breaking up the band, then reforming from time to time as The Beatles?

To speculate, I think The Beatles could have lasted longer if, after Brian Epstein passed away in Aug. ‘67, they had taken a break instead of delving right into Magical Mystery Tour or recorded at a more relaxed pace in ’68 and ‘69.

2 albums a year in ‘67, 68, and 69.

After Sgt. Pepper was released in June ‘67…the band had reached its career zenith. But instead of relaxing and taking a breath…the band begins initial machinations to form Apple, Lennon and Ono buy an island, and the band signs another contract…essentially, they double down and INCREASE their obligations…

When Brian dies in August, the band records I am the Walrus a week later…when Hello Goodbye is chosen as an A-side…John said he begins pulling away from his bandmates. Harrison says in I Me Mine that he wanted to stay in India and didn’t want to return to The Beatles in ‘67.

A Tumultuous ‘66…

And remember this is AFTER the band quits touring as a result of riots, death threats, and John’s ‘bigger-than-Jesus’ year they had previously. John had started taking a lot of LSD in ’67 and then started taking heroin in ’68 (because he felt he and Yoko were being mistreated by others.)…what if there was one album in ’67 and one album in ‘68…could that have been healing or released pressure? Would John have eventually wanted to go back to the Beatles if he had taken say…Aug of ’67 to Aug. of ’68 off? Gotten a divorce? Would he have wanted the income of the band? Wanted to go back and tour? Perhaps taking an hiatus would have reversed John’s ‘polarity’? Maybe it would have been attractive to him to return to the ‘most popular band’ if the band had taken a break?

Maybe after Brian dies…then John longs to return to his pals…rather than what we know happened…he spends two years after Brian dies basically slow-walking his exit from the band.

Longer Lasting Beatles…

So, it’s a bit counter-intuitive…but maybe the band lasts longer if it had actually decided to DO less or PRODUCE LESS MUSIC…maybe we don’t get Magical Mystery Tour (movie) or a double-White Album…

…but as a result, we get a Beatles album in ’71 or ‘72…and happier band members?

8.7K views