Why did the Beatles Break Up?

Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Opinion: Why did the Beatles break up?
This is a question that will never grow old. It's the source of speculation among Beatles fans and non-Beatles fans alike. Never in the history of any band from the past or modern times has there been a band who's been studied, scrutinized and dissected more than the Beatles. Only the Beatles have beat the Beatles. They've have had their albums in the top 10 of the billboard charts more than once. Not too shabby for a band who broke up more than 40 years ago!
Which raises the question, just why DID they break up? Some blame Yoko, some blame Linda. In my personal opinion, while these two women may have had a part in the eventual breakup, I don't think they were the deciding factors. They were growing up, no longer boys, and had developed new priorities like family. None of them were getting along at the end with George walking out at one point because of the bickering, ditto with Ringo. John had moved Yoko into the studio after their car accident which contributed to the resentment. John, George and Ringo were fed up with Paul's domineering ways, which could be looked at him being desperate to hold on to the band he loved so much. The others were ready to let it go, or so it seemed. George was getting frustrated at not being taken seriously as a songwriter. John had always thought of the Beatles as "his" band and now he felt like he was losing control to Paul.
After Brian Epstein died, they were at a crossroads because they couldn't agree on who to hire as their new manager. John wanted Allen Klein, Paul wanted the Eastmans. The other three Beatles felt that hiring the Eastmans would only give Paul more of the control he desired so George and Ringo sided with John.
When Paul officially dissolved the Beatles, John was livid. He said that he had been the one who had wanted to do it but had held off. But was it just because John secretly wanted the band to continue? He was very adept at hiding his real feelings, this coming from the many ways he had been hurt in the past by the ones he loved, his mum, his dad, his Aunt Mimi. In fact, when the court date loomed after Paul had filed for "divorce", John refused to show up. Did John panic, not really accepting that the dream was over?
Or was it just a case of having four separate talents in a band, each one wanting to be recognized on their own? Was the bitterness so rampant that this is the reason that Paul and Ringo have refused to allow Let It Be to be released? Even though we know the truth, or most of it anyway. Or do we?
Whatever the case may be, the world has still not gotten over it and probably never will. The Beatles have been, and will remain, the biggest force in music history. Love them or hate them, there's no denying that there will never be another Beatles, even as much as the media wishes it to be. Whenever a new band causes a sensation, the words "the next Beatles!" are always heard. But the truth is, they can never be duplicated, not in this lifetime nor the next.

They were a phenomenon that this Beatlemaniac will never again see in my lifetime.