The 1970s started with some shocking news from the music industry. Fans across the globe were rocked by the news that the world's most iconic music group of the time, The Beatles, had officially disbanded.
Rumors spread fast, with many different theories spread around. However, most of these eventually condensed into a firmly-held belief that Yoko Ono was the reason for the music industry’s most significant loss of the decade.
Ono's name has been at the centre of fan theories since 1969, but today, she might finally be off the hook. Sir Paul McCartney released a statement that defended Lennon's ex-wife.
McCartney was quoted saying, “She certainly didn't break the group up. I don't think you can blame her for anything.” The musician added that Lennon was going to leave anyway, no matter what he, Yoko, or anyone else did or said.
The ex-Beatles star even credited the widow's creative inspiration for sparking the legendary song, Imagine.
Sir Paul went added, “When Yoko came along, part of her attraction was her avant-garde side, her view of things.” He noted that Ono showed Lennon a different way of seeing the world, one that made him a better person.
But are these words enough to finally lay all the Yoko-blame to rest?
Suzannah Galland, who held strong family ties to Lennon, confirmed that Yoko’s influence was only that she gave him the courage to embrace change. “John was just tired of the band's unhealthy rivalry and wanted to go his own way,” she continued.
Editor of Billboard, Joe Levy, also leapt to Ono's defense saying, “Of course Yoko's not to blame. Any fan who thought so was just someone who couldn't accept, as John Lennon put it on his first solo album, that the dream was over.” Still, the editor foresaw that these words might not be enough to remove all the unnecessary blame that has, for decades, been directed towards Ono.
LA-based music producer Jonathan McHugh added that people's relationships grow apart. What happened to The Beatles is an example of that. It just so happened that Yoko came along and helped him explore his eclectic side, which was evident in their formation of their subsequent groups, The Plastic Ono Band and Elephant’s Memory. John explored his darker side while Paul stayed at the top of his pop game.
The Beatles reigned supreme in the charts during their heyday. They were so famous that fans held grudges against anyone, like Ono, who seemed to find a way in. What's fascinating is that they remain as relevant today as they were in the past. Any content that revolves around them still attracts millions of fans.
Why are they still so famous you ask?
Their personalities, ethics, and desire to help the world molded generations, showing us how powerful and transformative music can be. Then, of course, there’s the simple fact that their songs are infectiously good.