studio work

Although Let It Be was the Beatles’ final album release, it was largely recorded before Abbey Road . The project’s impetus came from an idea Martin attributes to McCartney, who suggested they “record an album of new material and rehearse it, then perform it before a live audience for the very first time – on record and on film”. Originally intended for a one-hour television programme to be called Beatles at Work , in the event much of the album’s content came from studio work beginning in January 1969, many hours of which were captured on film by director Michael Lindsay-Hogg . Martin said that the project was “not at all a happy recording experience. It was a time when relations between the Beatles were at their lowest ebb.” Lennon described the largely impromptu sessions as “hell … the most miserable … on Earth”, and Harrison, “the low of all-time”. Irritated by McCartney and Lennon, Harrison walked out for five days. Upon returning, he threatened to leave the band unless they “abandon[ed] all talk of live performance” and instead focused on finishing a new album, initially titled Get Back , using songs recorded for the TV special. He also demanded they cease work at Twickenham Film Studios , where the sessions had begun, and relocate to the newly finished Apple Studio . His bandmates agreed and it was decided to salvage the footage shot for the TV production for use in a feature film.