Did Yoko break up the Beatles?

cantdrv55 · 12-23-2007, 08:11 PM

Or, was she the cause of it?

I saw a show about the Beatles on BBC America today and they interviewed several acquaintances of the boys. Seems they're all hinting about it but no one plainly stated it so. May Pang did admit that John wanted to work with Paul again but then changed his mind when he got back with Yoko.

I was too young when all of this was coming down. What was word going around then about one of the world's most influential band's breakup?

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I saw it too. But I don't think the BBC show today was an informative as another Beatles documentary I've seen a few times. Those guys went through hell on their tours. Tour management was non-existent back then. PA systems sucked, stage setup sucked, equipment was primative and the band could rarely hear themselves over the screaming crowd. I think the last line the narrator said in that show was that the moderm touring industry was invented the day after the Beatles' finaly show. I got to be a security guard at a show on the Stones' Steel Wheels tour. It was just amazing to watch that entire operation set up and tear down. And to think the Beatles were at least that famous and trying to play stadium show with totally amateur equipement and crew.

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

no, she didnt break up the Beatles. On all accounts, there had been some competition within the group for quite some time, in the spirit of the songwriting and also in other ways, such as who is the 'cute Beatle' etc. Fame has a way of distorting reality. They would have broken up anyway, John and Paul were looking to get out, and following the death of Brian Epstein there were disagreements in the band on who would manage them as well as be their legal console. The story goes that Ringo was the first one to actually leave the group during the recording of the White Album, but was persuaded to stay by John and Paul who sent him flowers. Paul later refused to sign the deal that the rest of the band did with attorney Allen Klein, he wanted to go with Linda's father or brother as the attorney, and then the legal action began. It was inevitable. Things had grown to such a huge proportion that they all needed to exhale and take a breath outside the group.

WolfeMacleod · 12-24-2007, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

Or, was she the cause of it?

I was once engaged to someone who's Father knew John and Yoko well. I've seen pictures. Father is the cousin of Ian Anderson, and was quite the musician himself in the 60's.

He has yes yes, without a doubt, that Yoko was the cause.

Joeaksa · 12-24-2007, 12:39 AM

I feel that without Yoko in the picture that they would have stayed together a lot longer.

Chocaholic · 12-24-2007, 02:09 AM

But pointing the finger at Yoko isn't accurate. She was there because John wanted her there. Honestly, I agree with those that say the end was near anyway. But in any case, it was John that brought her into the mix.

flashgordon13 · 12-24-2007, 02:30 AM

Greed broke the band. She may have stirred the stew, but it would have happened without her.

charleskieffner · 12-24-2007, 03:46 AM

yoko was a TWIT!

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Yoko Ono is the devil incarnate...

Joeaksa · 12-24-2007, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azasadny

Yoko Ono is the devil incarnate...

Personally I lean in this direction as well...

Rick V · 12-24-2007, 04:40 AM

I have Yoko's on my 911

motion · 12-24-2007, 05:50 AM

I was under the impression it was more Linda than Yoko. Linda wanted to pull Paul away and was encouraging him to start his own band, of which she would be part of. And she was, unfortunately.

Steve Carlton · 12-24-2007, 05:52 AM

For whatever reason, I think it was for the best. Think of the independent albums we wouldn't have gotten.

cashflyer · 12-24-2007, 07:44 AM

My opinion is that Yoko changed who John was...

Perhaps from musician to activist, as Yoko was already a "I want to change the way people think" type person when he met her. Or perhaps much simpler, he just changed from a person who only had to care about himself to a person who cared about her.

I think that his renewed interest in the band was a symptom of his split from her, and that reuniting with her was incompatible with reuniting the band simply because he wouldn't divide himself between the two. He was absolutely in love with her and when the opportunity arose, he chose spending his time and energy with her over the band.

As mentioned, there was already a lot of tension in the band. And there was the Paul & Linda issue. And there was the legal issues. Ad infinitum.

And perhaps this is why John chose her over the band. He saw that the band had run their course, and wanted to concentrate on a future with Mrs. Lennon.

vash · vash's Garage

wait..., is "break up" code for "blow"?

K. Roman · K. Roman's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by vash

wait..., is "break up" code for "blow"?

Shhhh...

Or is Yoko slang for coke?

Jared at Pelican Parts · 12-24-2007, 02:43 PM

The breakup was inevitable. From the legal end with McCartney to the talent end with Harrison emerging. Yoko simply brought out the activist and absurdist artistic elements in Lennon.

Yoko was likely a large factor. But no more so than Linda. Both of them were artists who tried to be musicians and failed. Imagine if you were married to a Beatle. You'd think you could do anything as well. Listen to any Wings live recording for an example. Linda is WAY off. In a lot of ways, worse than what Yoko was doing.