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January 30, 1969 is a cold, gray, windy day in London. If you voluntarily stand on a high-rise roof, you can get the full breeze. And yet John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, decided to make an action that had not existed for years: the Beatles wanted to appear live. As a place, they conveniently selected the roof of the “Apple” building. Together with the organist Billy Preston, the Beatles were filmed, the appearance was intended for the “Let It Be” film.
“Of course we could also have performed in the Sahara,” said Ringo Starr later. “But we also had to carry the whole equipment along. So we thought: get on the roof”.
Five cameras were installed at the top and cameras on the other side of the street. It started at lunchtime. Only a few from the street could see the Beatles up there. But they have already been heard, and after a few minutes the people gathered in front of the Apple building in the Savile Row.
Sound mixer Dave Harries: “We really wanted to stop traffic, simply turn the whole west end.” The police arrived and ordered an end to the performance. After 42 minutes, the last appearance of the Beatles history was.
Paul McCartney remembered: “It was a strange place to perform. In addition, we hardly had any audiences up there, just a few people. So we literally played that.
A little satisfaction for you. The Beatles could not understand their own singing and the instruments often – because of the volume of their fans. So shortly before their unsightly separation they had peace for a day.
The last appearance of the Beatles, the setlist:
- Get back (five versions)
- I want you (she’s so heavy)
- Don’t let me down (two versions)
- I’ve got a feeling
- One after 909
- Danny Boy
- Dig a pony (two versions)
- God Save the Queen
- A pretty girl is like a melody