The End of an Era
Two days after their last recording session as a group, on August 22, 1969, The Fab Four posed for their final photo session at the 72-acre estate Tittenhurst Park – the home that John Lennon and Yoko Ono shared. The pictures are all you need to understand why they decided to part ways. In comparison to their photos during their happier and more carefree days, this one had tension all over it.
Photographers Ethan Russell and Monte Fresco along with The Beatles’ assistant Mal Evans were tasked to take the photos – even Paul McCartney’s wife Linda was present and took some pictures herself.
The group posed in several areas of the property and in some behind-the-scenes shots, heavily-pregnant Linda and Yoko joined John and Paul. A photo even showed both ladies casually chatting.
“They were filming us having a row. It never came to blows, but I thought, ‘What’s the point of this? I’m quite capable of being relatively happy on my own and I’m not able to be happy in this situation. I’m getting out of here.” – George Harrison
“It was just a photo session. I wasn’t there thinking, ‘OK, this is the last photo session.'” – Ringo Starr
The images were to be used for publicity purposes but for most fans, it signaled the end of the Beatlemania. Looking at these photos alone, you can tell they were over each other. It was nothing more than doing their final duty to the band.
Check out the rest of the photos.
