On Friday I mentioned how Snoopy made his annual report to the Head Beagle in a Peanuts strip that ran on Sunday the 4th of January, 1970.
That date, it nagged me in the back of my mind yesterday and today.
And then, this morning, I realized what’s so important about that date. I just knew.
January 4, 1970 is the date of the Beatles’ last session. “I Me Mine” was recorded by George, Paul, and Ringo on Saturday the 3rd. On Sunday the 4th, the three of them (John having already left the band in the fall) recorded overdubs for “Let It Be,” the version that went out on the Let It Be album, in particular George’s searing guitar solo that sets the album version of the song apart.
Technically, there are a few more sessions where strings were recorded by Phil Spector, and Ringo recorded a new drum track in April. Then, in 1994 and 1995 Paul, George, and Ringo worked on “Real Love,” “Free as a Bird,” “Now and Then,” “Grow Old With Me,” and “All For Love” (with the latter three going unreleased).
But for what most people would say, what most histories would say, what was the last session of the Beatles, it was January 4, 1970.
Within two weeks, Ringo begins work on his solo album, Sentimental Journey, John records “Instant Karma” with George on guitar, and Paul works in secret on McCartney, his first solo album.
How can the human mind carry such knowledge? How is it going to help me? Knowing that on the day Snoopy filed his Annual Report to the Head Beagle that across the Atlantic the Beatles were putting the final touches on my particular favorite version of “Let It Be,” the album version.
When people say, “Do you know what September 19 is?”, looking for Talk Like A Pirate Day, I say, “It’s the anniversay of Harry Morgan’s first appearance on M*A*S*H as Sherman Potter.”
Oh, but that’s cool knowledge to have. 🙂
(I always liked Colonel Potter more than Colonel Blake, anyway.)