A Mistake in Many Ways: Ep5A I Want to Give Him That Divorce
Sep 15, 2022
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Paul McCartney, the legendary Beatle and prolific songwriter, joins his bandmate John Lennon, known for his iconic voice and candid personality. They dive into the emotional turmoil surrounding their breakup, exploring key tensions from Phil Spector’s production to Paul's pivotal interview revealing deeper issues. The duo reflects on their bond, competition, and the jealousy fueled by personal relationships, particularly with Yoko Ono. They ponder whether their iconic partnership could have survived amidst misunderstandings, revealing both fragility and mutual respect.
Paul McCartney's ambiguous press release announcing his departure created immense tension among the Beatles, particularly angering John Lennon and complicating their relationships.
Alan Klein's management style was a significant point of contention for Paul, who felt that Klein's decisions undermined the band's creative autonomy and strained intermember relations.
The podcast illuminates the complex emotional dynamics between John and Paul, highlighting how jealousy and rivalry, especially related to their creative outputs, contributed to the Beatles' breakup.
Deep dives
The Dynamics of the Beatles' Breakup
The conversation centers around the miscommunication and escalating tensions that characterized the Beatles' breakup, particularly focusing on Paul McCartney's ambiguous press release announcing his departure. Paul’s unilateral decision to imply he was leaving the band was met with anger from John Lennon and the other Beatles, who felt blindsided by his announcement. This reaction illustrates the fraught atmosphere as all members had made unilateral decisions that affected the group's dynamics, leading to a tit-for-tat scenario where everyone was hurt and defensive. The ongoing tension was compounded by decisions made by John, George, and Ringo to hire manager Alan Klein and delay Paul's solo album release, which Paul believed he needed to address to clarify his position.
Alan Klein and Trust Issues
The role of Alan Klein as the Beatles' manager emerges as a critical point of contention, particularly for Paul McCartney, who viewed Klein as a thief who jeopardized the band’s interests. Paul expressed deep frustration with Klein's management style and the decisions made without his consent, feeling that Klein was pilfering the band's creative autonomy. He recalled feeling that he had to either confront Klein or let him take everything, which significantly damaged relationships within the group. Klein's interference established a sense of betrayal for Paul, as he felt his concerns were being sidelined while the other Beatles entertained Klein's aggressive tactics.
Power Struggles and Jealousy
The podcast highlights the intricate power dynamics and jealousy that pervaded the Beatles' relationships, especially between John and Paul. Noted were instances where John's jealousy towards Paul’s musical success impacted their creative partnership and overall friendship, fostering resentment. Paul candidly admitted that he often felt discouraged when John would act superior or dismissive, complicating their collaborative efforts. This personal enmity became more pronounced after John started dating Yoko Ono, as Paul struggled with feelings of rivalry, leading to a breakdown in their once harmonious working relationship.
Paul’s Press Release and Its Fallout
Paul's vague press release, which led many to interpret it as the official end of the Beatles, remained a contentious point discussed in the podcast. The perception that Paul was quitting the band without proper discussion with the others was infuriating to them, particularly John, who later recounted feeling betrayed. His reaction, claiming he had sacked Paul, highlighted the competitive and defensive environment surrounding the band's dissolution. The fallout from this public announcement set the stage for the Beatles' implosion, as tensions continued to escalate amidst counter-claims and hurt feelings.
Unpacking Paul’s State of Mind
Paul's candid interview with Ray Connolly is positioned as a valuable insight into his perspective during the tumultuous breakup period. He expressed feeling trapped by the Beatles' business arrangements and explained how these financial ties hindered creative freedom and strained personal relations. In this interview, Paul emphasized that no one member was to blame for the disbandment, indicating a desire for clarity about their shared responsibility throughout this tough time. His longing for independence and frustration with being collectively tied financially underscored the urgency he felt to move on from the Beatles despite his deep emotional ties.
The Crafting of New Identities
As the Beatles began to splinter, the podcast explores how each member started to carve out their individuality while navigating the complex aftermath of the group's dissolution. John Lennon’s shift towards an artistic identity enriched by his relationship with Yoko was contrasted with Paul's personal and artistic development as he transitioned into solo work. Paul emphasized the difficulty he encountered in writing under the pressure of John and Yoko’s presence, which further showcased the emotional barriers that had developed. This transition time was not just an end but also a redefinition for each Beatle, marking a new chapter where personal artistic endeavors would take center stage.
In the final (2 part) episode of our series, we’ll address the final event in the Breakup drama of April 1970: the battle of Phil Spector’s production of The Long and Winding Road.
We’ll also take an in-depth look at Paul’s revelatory interview in The Evening Standard. Candid, comprehensive and intriguing, this interview is an important piece of history we have dubbed “McCartney Remembers.”
We’ll examine some of the recurring issues highlighted by Paul in the interview and address the ultimate question: Could John and Paul Have Turned Things Around?
SOURCES
Conversations with McCartney by Paul DuNoyer (2015)
You Never Give Me Your Money by Peter Doggett (2009)
Paul McCartney: The Life by Philip Norman (2016)
“Why The Beatles Broke Up” by Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone (Sept 3, 2009)
“Why The Beatles Broke Up; The Story Behind our Cover” by Mikael Gilmore, Rolling Stone (Aug 18, 2009)
The Beatles Anthology (1995)
“Lennon Remembers” w/ Jann Wenner for Rolling Stone (1970)
“The Ex Beatles Tells His Story” Paul McCartney Interview: Life Magazine (April 16th 1971)
Paul McCartney Interview w/ Chrissie Hynde for USA Weekend (1998)
St. Regis Interview, Peter McCabe and Robert Schonfeld (1971)
Q & A from McCartney LP (1970)
“Magical Mystery Tours: My Life with the Beatles“ by Tony Bramwell (2014)
The Beatles: The Biography by Bob Spitz (2005)
Paul McCartney Interview By Ray Connolly for Evening Standard (April 21-22, 1970)
https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/interview/interview-for-the-evening-standard
“The Party’s Over for the Beatles” by Derek Taylor for Sunday Magazine, (July 26, 1970)
http://www.meetthebeatlesforreal.com/2017/03/the-partys-over-for-beatles-written-by.html
The Beatles Authorized Biography by Hunter Davies (1968)
The Beatles Anthology (1995)
Cellarful of Noise by Brian Epstein (1964)
The Howard Stern Show “PAUL MCCARTNEY SHARES BEHIND-THE-SCENES STORIES FROM 18 BEATLES, WINGS, AND SOLO SONGS” (Nov 10, 2021)
PLAYLIST
You Never Give Me Your Money THE BEATLES (1969)
Long and Winding Road THE BEATLES (1970)
When the Wind is Blowing WINGS (1971)
Rupert PAUL MCCARTNEY (1977)
Let it Be THE BEATLES (1970)
I Know (I Know) JOHN LENNON (1973)
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