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The Beatles on the Roof
At lunchtime on a bitterly cold January day in 1969, the strains of guitar chords could be heard in the streets surrounding London’s Savile Row. Crowds gathered – At ground level and above. People climbed onto roofs and postboxes, skipped lunch to gather and For the first time in more than two years, The Beatles were playing live.Ringing from the rooftops, disturbing the well-to-do ears of the tailors below, they upset the establishment and bewildered the police. It was filmed by director Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who hoped the footage would act as the finale to a celebratory TV special. When it finally surfaced, it was in the bleak, tumultuous documentary Let It Be. And The Beatles would never play live again.Tony Barrell examines the concert within the context of its time. He speaks to those who were the fans, film-makers, roadies, Apple Corps staff and police. He explores the politics of 1968, when peace gave way to protest, and how music promotion began to collide with cinéma vérité and reality TV. The Beatles on the Roof makes essential reading for anyone interested in the band’s reinventions and relationships, revealing why the rooftop concert happened at all, why it happened the way that it did, and why it would never happen again.
161 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
22 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Tony Barrell
6 books11 followersSince 1997, Tony Barrell has contributed regular features to The Sunday Times on pop music, modern art and popular culture. Topics have included The Beatles, Abbey Road Studios, the longest songs ever recorded, the history of tribute bands, the world’s strangest concert venues, and the exercise music used by celebrities. Tony has also interviewed and profiled many music stars, such as Ronnie Wood, Jimmy Page, Shirley Manson, Joan Baez, Alison Goldfrapp, Celine Dion and Mike Oldfield.
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March 9, 2024
"For every teenager who has ever been told to 'turn that ****** noise down!,' the rooftop concert stands as a glorious, rebellious event - the bedroom blast writ large. For an infinitesimal moment in human history, the wheels of industry ground to a halt and the power and glory of rock 'n roll burst through the barricades into the dismal grind of everyday life. And the people who were there - the fans, the shoppers, the film-makers and technicians, the policemen - will always feel special." -- on pages 171-172
Although then-unknown to the public at large, as 1969 began The Beatles were fast fraying at the seams, and having difficulties in making what would eventually be called the Let It Be album (their last effort to be released, although Abbey Road was technically the final one they made together). Into this cauldron of uncertainty stepped British-American film-maker Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who documented the none-too-fruitful recording sessions in January 1969. Soon the idea was floated that the group should perform in concert - both to showcase new songs like 'Get Back' AND to see if they still had that old magic in them - since their supposed final live performance occurred over two years prior in August 1966. Exotic locales around the globe were considered, but in the end - on a blustery Wednesday lunch break hour on 30 January 1969 - the boys formerly known as 'the Fab Four' ascended to the rooftop of their Apple Corps office building on Savile Row in London and performed a noon-time concert of sorts. Notably, this was to be their final live performance for the public. Author Darrell has written a wonderfully succinct and evocative document of that time period, coloring the weeks leading to and the day of the performance by interviewing the various proletariat folks who were present - Apple clerical staffers, members of the production crew, local working class young adults who had gathered in the streets, the policemen (many of whom were even a bit younger than The Beatles) who were dispatched for crowd control, and others - relating their first-hand experiences on witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime moment in popular music history.
Although then-unknown to the public at large, as 1969 began The Beatles were fast fraying at the seams, and having difficulties in making what would eventually be called the Let It Be album (their last effort to be released, although Abbey Road was technically the final one they made together). Into this cauldron of uncertainty stepped British-American film-maker Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who documented the none-too-fruitful recording sessions in January 1969. Soon the idea was floated that the group should perform in concert - both to showcase new songs like 'Get Back' AND to see if they still had that old magic in them - since their supposed final live performance occurred over two years prior in August 1966. Exotic locales around the globe were considered, but in the end - on a blustery Wednesday lunch break hour on 30 January 1969 - the boys formerly known as 'the Fab Four' ascended to the rooftop of their Apple Corps office building on Savile Row in London and performed a noon-time concert of sorts. Notably, this was to be their final live performance for the public. Author Darrell has written a wonderfully succinct and evocative document of that time period, coloring the weeks leading to and the day of the performance by interviewing the various proletariat folks who were present - Apple clerical staffers, members of the production crew, local working class young adults who had gathered in the streets, the policemen (many of whom were even a bit younger than The Beatles) who were dispatched for crowd control, and others - relating their first-hand experiences on witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime moment in popular music history.
December 8, 2017
The “Let It Be,” sessions resulted in the Beatles last film which is, to be honest, a tough watch for fans. Although it was going to be the Beatles filmed while recording an album, ending with the finale of a wonderful, life affirming concert (Director Michael Lindsay Hogg envisioned an amphitheatre in Tunisia, possibly with a dawn start, until realising the band would still be in bed at that time and Ringo, having disliked Indian food was not keen to try Tunisian cuisine…), the result was a band disintegrating in front of the cameras, with their final concert seeing them going no further than the roof of their Savile Row Apple offices…
That said, the Rooftop Concert, as it came to be, misleadingly, known (the author of this book suggests it was more a live recording session, with more than one version of some songs) is joyous and you can hear, and see, that the band are enjoying themselves. Plus, the earlier recording sessions did result in more bootlegged material than anything else in the Beatles career, so it did leave fans with some worthwhile material, to be endlessly mined and pored over.
In this book, we are taken from the end of 1968, through to the rooftop performance on January 30th, 1969. There is some good detail on the formation of Apple and the purchase of the building in Savile Row, along with a brief history of the building and the area, for those who are not familiar with it. As Apple Corps went into freefall, and the band fragmented, they were obliged to try to make business ventures work. However, as the band fell apart, both Lennon and McCartney were heavily involved in their most intense romantic relationships, with Yoko Ono and Linda Eastman. Linda, who would marry Paul in March of that year, was pregnant with their first child (Paul would adopt her young daughter, Heather), while John and Yoko would also tie the knot within a couple of months of the Beatles last live appearance. Yoko’s appearances at the recording studio caused continuing tension within the band, as did Lennon’s increased use of heroin; making him often distant, uncommunicative and disinterested.
From the start of filming at Twickenham studios, on January 2nd, 1969, it was clear that both the studio (cold and vast), and the stress of being constantly filmed, were not conducive to making music. The author suggests that going early in the morning may have reminded the Beatles of their early years when they commuted to work. Actually, the only Beatle who ever held a proper job for a long period, was Ringo, who did three years of an apprenticeship. George and Paul held short term jobs, but John only managed a few weeks as a labourer before being sacked, so I am not convinced that commuting was something they were too familiar with. Certainly, early mornings were not something they were that keen on either, but they all seemed initially interested in the idea of developing new material and, indeed, on the concept of a concert.
It is interesting to hear from many of the people who worked on the filming, or at Apple, or who were involved in events at some point in the story (including some of the police who traipsed along to Apple after complaints about the noise, and those who were lucky enough to be around and witness the impromptu concert). However, at the start in Twickenham, with no Brian, or George Martin, to set them down to work, the Beatles retreated into oldies; procrastinating, jamming and bickering. When George walked out, John unkindly suggested replacing him with Eric Clapton (apparently, when told this later, Clapton retorted that the Beatles were far too unpleasant to each other for his liking).
Things improved with a move to the basement at Apple and the intelligent suggestion, by a returned George, that Billy Preston (who they had first met in Hamburg and who was in London playing with Ray Charles) be invited along. As Lennon later admitted, a ‘guest,’ meant that everyone was on their best behaviour and things in the studio improved. Despairing of his amphitheatre venue, you sense that Michael Lindsay-Hogg was just grateful that the Beatles agreed to climb up to the roof and perform. Even at the last minute, even this was in doubt, until John took the lead and led the band out onto the chilly rooftop. The performance ended with John’s line, “I’d like to say thank you on behalf of the group and ourselves, and I hope we passed the audition.” Ironic, indeed, especially had he known the building had been previously owned by one of the directors of Decca – who had rejected the band back in 1962.
This book is full of such nuggets. The author weaves in all the current news stories, events going on at the same time, funny comments, reminiscences and memories. The Beatles never performed together again, despite endless offers. Perhaps it is just as well but, either way, it was a great performance and they certainly did pass the audition!
That said, the Rooftop Concert, as it came to be, misleadingly, known (the author of this book suggests it was more a live recording session, with more than one version of some songs) is joyous and you can hear, and see, that the band are enjoying themselves. Plus, the earlier recording sessions did result in more bootlegged material than anything else in the Beatles career, so it did leave fans with some worthwhile material, to be endlessly mined and pored over.
In this book, we are taken from the end of 1968, through to the rooftop performance on January 30th, 1969. There is some good detail on the formation of Apple and the purchase of the building in Savile Row, along with a brief history of the building and the area, for those who are not familiar with it. As Apple Corps went into freefall, and the band fragmented, they were obliged to try to make business ventures work. However, as the band fell apart, both Lennon and McCartney were heavily involved in their most intense romantic relationships, with Yoko Ono and Linda Eastman. Linda, who would marry Paul in March of that year, was pregnant with their first child (Paul would adopt her young daughter, Heather), while John and Yoko would also tie the knot within a couple of months of the Beatles last live appearance. Yoko’s appearances at the recording studio caused continuing tension within the band, as did Lennon’s increased use of heroin; making him often distant, uncommunicative and disinterested.
From the start of filming at Twickenham studios, on January 2nd, 1969, it was clear that both the studio (cold and vast), and the stress of being constantly filmed, were not conducive to making music. The author suggests that going early in the morning may have reminded the Beatles of their early years when they commuted to work. Actually, the only Beatle who ever held a proper job for a long period, was Ringo, who did three years of an apprenticeship. George and Paul held short term jobs, but John only managed a few weeks as a labourer before being sacked, so I am not convinced that commuting was something they were too familiar with. Certainly, early mornings were not something they were that keen on either, but they all seemed initially interested in the idea of developing new material and, indeed, on the concept of a concert.
It is interesting to hear from many of the people who worked on the filming, or at Apple, or who were involved in events at some point in the story (including some of the police who traipsed along to Apple after complaints about the noise, and those who were lucky enough to be around and witness the impromptu concert). However, at the start in Twickenham, with no Brian, or George Martin, to set them down to work, the Beatles retreated into oldies; procrastinating, jamming and bickering. When George walked out, John unkindly suggested replacing him with Eric Clapton (apparently, when told this later, Clapton retorted that the Beatles were far too unpleasant to each other for his liking).
Things improved with a move to the basement at Apple and the intelligent suggestion, by a returned George, that Billy Preston (who they had first met in Hamburg and who was in London playing with Ray Charles) be invited along. As Lennon later admitted, a ‘guest,’ meant that everyone was on their best behaviour and things in the studio improved. Despairing of his amphitheatre venue, you sense that Michael Lindsay-Hogg was just grateful that the Beatles agreed to climb up to the roof and perform. Even at the last minute, even this was in doubt, until John took the lead and led the band out onto the chilly rooftop. The performance ended with John’s line, “I’d like to say thank you on behalf of the group and ourselves, and I hope we passed the audition.” Ironic, indeed, especially had he known the building had been previously owned by one of the directors of Decca – who had rejected the band back in 1962.
This book is full of such nuggets. The author weaves in all the current news stories, events going on at the same time, funny comments, reminiscences and memories. The Beatles never performed together again, despite endless offers. Perhaps it is just as well but, either way, it was a great performance and they certainly did pass the audition!
September 20, 2018
Netgalley # 39
Many thanks to tony Barrell, Omnibus Press, and Netgalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
This book was such a breath of fresh air to this huge Beatles fan! I'm so used to getting a rehash of their career. Instead I read about the "spontaneous event" that occurred on the roof of Apple Studios on January 30, 1969, a day that lives in the memory of so many people to this day and has not stopped inspiring other artists such as U2 and Blur.
The angst of the Let It Be sessions bleeds from these pages. It's just heartbreaking and brutal. The pressure the mates was under cannot new measure. More concerned with jamming on oldies than writing new songs, it seemed as if no new albums would ever be released. No one was satisfied. It was agreed that the recording process would be recorded for the fans, but it just wasn't getting off the ground. So many ideas were tossed around. And then BAM!!!
The rooftop! So Savile Row wasn't too happy; neither were the police. I think my favorite cop quote has to be,"Do you know that this is louder than a transistor radio?" Bahahaha really, officer?
There is a beautiful photo section at the end. I particularly like the one of Paul meeting Linda for the second time in his life.
Barrell did an outstanding job of allowing the reader to live these weeks again with the band. I definitely see myself repeatedly reading this book, and I'm overjoyed to have this as part of my memorabilia collection.
Many thanks to tony Barrell, Omnibus Press, and Netgalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
This book was such a breath of fresh air to this huge Beatles fan! I'm so used to getting a rehash of their career. Instead I read about the "spontaneous event" that occurred on the roof of Apple Studios on January 30, 1969, a day that lives in the memory of so many people to this day and has not stopped inspiring other artists such as U2 and Blur.
The angst of the Let It Be sessions bleeds from these pages. It's just heartbreaking and brutal. The pressure the mates was under cannot new measure. More concerned with jamming on oldies than writing new songs, it seemed as if no new albums would ever be released. No one was satisfied. It was agreed that the recording process would be recorded for the fans, but it just wasn't getting off the ground. So many ideas were tossed around. And then BAM!!!
The rooftop! So Savile Row wasn't too happy; neither were the police. I think my favorite cop quote has to be,"Do you know that this is louder than a transistor radio?" Bahahaha really, officer?
There is a beautiful photo section at the end. I particularly like the one of Paul meeting Linda for the second time in his life.
Barrell did an outstanding job of allowing the reader to live these weeks again with the band. I definitely see myself repeatedly reading this book, and I'm overjoyed to have this as part of my memorabilia collection.
March 21, 2018
Thank you to the publisher Omnibus Press who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
This book focuses on the iconic performance of The Beatles on the rooftop of their company Apple Corp at 3 Savile Row in London. This took place on January 30, 1969 and wound up being the very last time The Beatles performed together in public. It also was the finale concert ending the "Let it Be" movie which documented their breakup, although it was originally intended to be a television special about them making a new album. Many people think that "Let it Be" is The Beatles' final album, but that was actually "Abbey Road". It's just that both the filming and recordings from the "Let it Be" sessions were so depressing that they sat on the shelf for awhile before "layer of sound" record producer Phil Spector was engaged to make the raw recordings sound more appealing. In the end, The Beatles went back to their stalwart producer George Martin to make "Abbey Road"...a record made "like we used to."
As I always say when I review yet another book about The Beatles, I am a decades long Beatles fan and have quite an extensive Beatles library. My challenge when reading a new offering is to find out something new...another pearl or kernel of truth about them. I did find a few here, to my delight, but I won't divulge everything to spoil it for others...save this: the bright orange raincoat RIngo is wearing during the rooftop concert actually belonged to his then wife Maureen!
There is commentary from various people who were in the area that day to experience this happening such as a tailor apprentice (Savile Row is famous for their pricey tailoring shops), a young business man who climbed along a pipe and across rooftops to closely witness the concert, and the policemen who responded to the noise and traffic complaints. There are many other accounts documented in the book, including from workers inside the Apple building who struggled themselves to be allowed to go up there. There were serious concerns about too much weight on the roof between the people and musical equipment.
If this book were not in digital format, I would sit it cozily beside my other Beatles tomes in my treasured bookcases. To steal a line from the witty John Lennon as this concert came to a close, "This book passed the audition!"
This book focuses on the iconic performance of The Beatles on the rooftop of their company Apple Corp at 3 Savile Row in London. This took place on January 30, 1969 and wound up being the very last time The Beatles performed together in public. It also was the finale concert ending the "Let it Be" movie which documented their breakup, although it was originally intended to be a television special about them making a new album. Many people think that "Let it Be" is The Beatles' final album, but that was actually "Abbey Road". It's just that both the filming and recordings from the "Let it Be" sessions were so depressing that they sat on the shelf for awhile before "layer of sound" record producer Phil Spector was engaged to make the raw recordings sound more appealing. In the end, The Beatles went back to their stalwart producer George Martin to make "Abbey Road"...a record made "like we used to."
As I always say when I review yet another book about The Beatles, I am a decades long Beatles fan and have quite an extensive Beatles library. My challenge when reading a new offering is to find out something new...another pearl or kernel of truth about them. I did find a few here, to my delight, but I won't divulge everything to spoil it for others...save this: the bright orange raincoat RIngo is wearing during the rooftop concert actually belonged to his then wife Maureen!
There is commentary from various people who were in the area that day to experience this happening such as a tailor apprentice (Savile Row is famous for their pricey tailoring shops), a young business man who climbed along a pipe and across rooftops to closely witness the concert, and the policemen who responded to the noise and traffic complaints. There are many other accounts documented in the book, including from workers inside the Apple building who struggled themselves to be allowed to go up there. There were serious concerns about too much weight on the roof between the people and musical equipment.
If this book were not in digital format, I would sit it cozily beside my other Beatles tomes in my treasured bookcases. To steal a line from the witty John Lennon as this concert came to a close, "This book passed the audition!"
March 17, 2018
3..5/5.0 stars
This book relates events surrounding the Beatles playing on the roof at Apple headquarters in London at 3 Savile Row on a frosty lunchtime afternoon on January 30th, 1969. It became such an important event, in hindsight as it turned out because it would be the Beatles final live performance/recording session filmed as a group. Sadly, for many reasons they did break up afterward, as it turned out. Their playing that day, which drew crowds and stopped traffic, caused a major fuss with many people calling the police to complain about the noise and crowds of listeners. Eventually, the local police were sent out to do something when traffic became a gridlock situation.
This would likely be enjoyed by those who are Beatles fans, biography readers, music fans, history fans, non-fiction fans, etc. It's not overly long at 224 pages. A section of photos at the end adds interest.
An advance digital copy was provided by NetGalley and author Tony Barrell for my honest review.
Omnibus Press
Published on Oct 26,2017
This book relates events surrounding the Beatles playing on the roof at Apple headquarters in London at 3 Savile Row on a frosty lunchtime afternoon on January 30th, 1969. It became such an important event, in hindsight as it turned out because it would be the Beatles final live performance/recording session filmed as a group. Sadly, for many reasons they did break up afterward, as it turned out. Their playing that day, which drew crowds and stopped traffic, caused a major fuss with many people calling the police to complain about the noise and crowds of listeners. Eventually, the local police were sent out to do something when traffic became a gridlock situation.
This would likely be enjoyed by those who are Beatles fans, biography readers, music fans, history fans, non-fiction fans, etc. It's not overly long at 224 pages. A section of photos at the end adds interest.
An advance digital copy was provided by NetGalley and author Tony Barrell for my honest review.
Omnibus Press
Published on Oct 26,2017
March 17, 2018
"The Beatles on the Roof" is a book about the Beatles, but particularly focused on the last years of the band, 1968 through January 30, 1969, when they had their infamous concert on the roof of the Apple building. This concert was in reality a live recording session for the movie Let It Be and the eventual album. They had spent a year writing separately and talking about a final concert - after not having played live for years- and talked about holding it in Tunisia, in Gibraltar, or any number of exotic locations.
This book gives the Beatles fan an in-depth look at that year -sometimes with more detail than you thought you'd get -- interspersing their struggles to work together with current events both in Britain and around the world. It details the Apple Records empire and the purchase of the iconic property on Savile Row and ultimately winds up with the concert on the roof, the difficulty in getting the instruments up there, the concern about a roof never signed to carry that much weight, the nervousness the band had after so long without touring, and the surprise that the city had when people realized what was going on because it was a surprise to just about everyone.
An intense book that, instead of chronicling the entire history of the Beatles, focuses like a laser on one moment and what led up to it. I found particularly interesting the statements by the band members as to where the lyrics came from and how sometimes they were a bunch of phrases put together without necessarily an overarching theme and that characters like Jojo were made up. Us fans probably put far more effort into deciphering the lyrics than the writers took in penning them. Given the detail and the background, this book probably has the greatest appeal to the serious fan.
Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
This book gives the Beatles fan an in-depth look at that year -sometimes with more detail than you thought you'd get -- interspersing their struggles to work together with current events both in Britain and around the world. It details the Apple Records empire and the purchase of the iconic property on Savile Row and ultimately winds up with the concert on the roof, the difficulty in getting the instruments up there, the concern about a roof never signed to carry that much weight, the nervousness the band had after so long without touring, and the surprise that the city had when people realized what was going on because it was a surprise to just about everyone.
An intense book that, instead of chronicling the entire history of the Beatles, focuses like a laser on one moment and what led up to it. I found particularly interesting the statements by the band members as to where the lyrics came from and how sometimes they were a bunch of phrases put together without necessarily an overarching theme and that characters like Jojo were made up. Us fans probably put far more effort into deciphering the lyrics than the writers took in penning them. Given the detail and the background, this book probably has the greatest appeal to the serious fan.
Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
June 6, 2019
Author and music journalist Tony Barrell provides a comprehensive look into the atmosphere and influences that led to the Beatles’ historic last music session spontaneously held on Apple Records rooftop at a time when fans believed the band to have already broken up. Chock-full of interesting backstory and little-known tidbits about the bestselling band's history including song inspiration, lows, loves and why this final legendary concert even happened. A quick and good read well worth this Beatles fan’s time.
March 21, 2018
This book reminds me of Ian Macdonald's absolutely blissful "Revolution In the Head", which goes through both The Beatles's music as well as their lives at the time, providing sociological breadth at the same time as delving into what happened.
This book goes into a little more than the actual rooftop session:
The book delves into where The Beatles actually were around the time of running through those tracks, their interpersonal issues, their business, the Apple store, how they were sick and tired of the band but still wanted it all to work, to some extent.
There's a lot of good analysis on how the band carried on just before the actual gig, albeit a bit too much guesswork:
Barrell believes the vexations between members, and also Lennon's heroin use, ground songwriting to a halt:
There's also some fun anecdotal views of the world surrounding The Beatles, like this little gem:
The band wanted to play live, even though they hadn't at that point, for years. Some thoughts around that are interesting:
Well, they ended up on a rooftop in London, despite dispatching staff to other continents to scout out locations. Anyway, the breakdowns of their existence with each other turned things fairly sour at some points, thus bringing the bigness to shrink; reticence is the word:
It's interesting to read of how Enoch Powell's xenophobia inspired The Beatles to write "Get Back":
Then, on the rooftop:
Notably, the London police constabulary didn't care about it all:
Altogether, the author's love for the band and the subject matter is apparent, and what is needed to write this book, or so merely I strongly feel. It's a good one.
This book goes into a little more than the actual rooftop session:
Most people call it the “rooftop concert”, so that’s what I usually call it. However, while it certainly took place on a rooftop, it wasn’t really a concert. When you go to a concert, the musicians don’t usually play a public sound check followed by a rehearsal of a song and then a proper version of it. But that’s what The Beatles were doing: they were doing takes of their songs. That’s what you do in a recording session, which is what it was. Except that it was more than that, as well.
The book delves into where The Beatles actually were around the time of running through those tracks, their interpersonal issues, their business, the Apple store, how they were sick and tired of the band but still wanted it all to work, to some extent.
There's a lot of good analysis on how the band carried on just before the actual gig, albeit a bit too much guesswork:
Like McCartney on that first day of filming, the other Beatles didn’t always arrive on time for their rehearsal duties. Though their individual timekeeping was erratic, The Beatles nonetheless became everyday commuters at one of the worst times of the year, the middle of winter. The weather wasn’t the main problem: in fact, January 1969 was an unusually mild month, thanks to a gentle airstream caressing England from the south-west. It was the shortness of the days: the fact that the sun didn’t come up until around 8 a.m., but went down again as early as 4 p.m. At this time of year, many ordinary commuters know the misery of leaving their homes before sunrise and returning to them after sunset, as each day’s window of light is eclipsed by their hours in the workplace. The Beatles would have suffered – more than many office and shop workers, who at least had windows to look out of – from daylight deprivation. The term “seasonal affective disorder” (SAD) had yet to be coined (it wasn’t named in print until 1985) but these short days would likely have had a negative bearing on the musicians’ wellbeing, mood and mental health. SAD is a form of depression, whose symptoms can include lethargy, anxiety and irritability.
Barrell believes the vexations between members, and also Lennon's heroin use, ground songwriting to a halt:
During their discussions in Twickenham, it emerged that there was a problem with the new material – apart from the fact that there wasn’t that much of it. Both George and Paul admitted that many of the songs they had written were slow numbers, echoing John’s complaint about his own songs the day before, when he had suggested they try to write some rockers. One uptempo song that they played that day was new to most of the people around them – the film crew and the sound technicians – although it wasn’t new to the group. ‘One After 909’ was a song begun by John as a teenager back in the late fifties: a juvenile homage to the American tradition of songs about trains, and to skiffle numbers like Lonnie Donegan’s ‘Rock Island Line’. The Beatles had recorded it at EMI back in 1963, but it hadn’t been deemed good enough to release. Now they dusted it off, though they had reservations about the words. “I never, sort of, knew what it was about before,” admitted Paul. “So she’s on a train and he, sort of…” “He goes to the station and misses it,” explained John. “But he goes back and finds it was the wrong number,” said Paul. “Wrong location,” said George. “To rhyme with ‘station’, you know,” said John. Paul added that his brother, Mike, had been suggesting for years that The Beatles use the song. “But I said, ‘Well, you know, Mike, you don’t understand about these things, you know.’” George made a case here for meaningless song lyrics. “Most people just don’t give a shit what the words are about, as long as it’s ‘pop of the month’,” he said. And John confessed that “we always thought it wasn’t finished. We couldn’t be bothered finishing it.”
There's also some fun anecdotal views of the world surrounding The Beatles, like this little gem:
The BBC had some interesting TV shows that weekend. Saturday evening brought Happening For Lulu, a variety showcase for the eponymous pop singer, broadcast from the corporation’s Shepherd’s Bush building and entailing a bit of singing, dancing and comedy plus some special guests. The Daily Express, which described Lulu as “that explosive little cracker from the Glasgow backstreets”, warned that each show “will be informal and unscripted, with an audience of teenagers”. The show was also live, so there was no telling what might happen.
The guests that evening included The Jimi Hendrix Experience, performing ‘Voodoo Chile’ and a couple of minutes of ‘Hey Joe’ – at which point Jimi departed from the script. “We’re gonna stop playing this rubbish,” he announced (you could almost hear the distant wailing from his public-relations team), “and dedicate a song to the Cream… I’d like to dedicate this to Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce.” They immediately tore into a cover of Cream’s ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’, which ended up crashing the sacred evening news slot and prompted the producers to take the show off air. The following week, the programme was billed simply as Lulu, the Happening no doubt dispensed with for fear of something similar occurring again.
The band wanted to play live, even though they hadn't at that point, for years. Some thoughts around that are interesting:
The Beatles discussed how inspiring the feedback from an audience would be, but George, remembering their previous concerts, was concerned that the audience might consist only of screaming young female Beatlemaniacs. Yoko Ono chipped in with a highly conceptual idea: that The Beatles perform to 20,000 empty seats, which would represent “the invisible, nameless everybody in the world”. Paul ran briefly with Yoko’s idea, suggesting that they play one concert to a real audience, and another to empty seats. Paul raised the possibility of The Beatles playing in the nude, to which George added that it might be better if the audience were naked rather than the performers. When they returned to the subject later that day, Paul was advocating building an artificial set resembling the Colosseum in Rome, and having The Beatles come in together with some real, live lions.
Well, they ended up on a rooftop in London, despite dispatching staff to other continents to scout out locations. Anyway, the breakdowns of their existence with each other turned things fairly sour at some points, thus bringing the bigness to shrink; reticence is the word:
But on this winter’s day in Twickenham, he wasn’t noticeably inspired by his bandmate’s grandiose but well-meaning proposal to improve the lives of thousands of starving Africans. “Don’t they say charity begins at home?” he remarked. “So we will do it at George’s house,” Paul fired back. “Let’s do the show right here,” said Ringo, echoing the old movie cliche´. Picking up from his Biafran suggestion, Paul continued: “Say we were doing it in an airport: you could stop the people from coming and going. They’ve all got planes to catch; like, you get a lot of people all the time going for planes and looking. It would be a scene. Or in a hospital: they can’t get up – except at the finale, when John walks over to the little girl and says, ‘Come, ye,’ and she gets up and walks.”
Paul was edging into biblical territory here, daring to suggest that the group – and John in particular – replicate one of the Miracles of Jesus, as when the Son of God raised Lazarus from the dead. Though this is likely to have been tongue-in-cheek, a casual jest to keep the desperately needed ideas for a live show rolling along, there were echoes here of John’s troublesome “Jesus” remark. Later, after they tinkered with a few half-hearted numbers, Paul addressed his frustrations with the attitudes of his old friends. “I don’t see why any of you, if you’re not interested, got yourselves into this,” he said. “What’s it for? It can’t be for the money. Why are you here? I’m here because I want to do a show, but I really don’t feel a lot of support.” Paul went on to deliver a petulant ultimatum. “There’s only two choices,” he said. “We’re going to do it or we’re not going to do it. And I want a decision. Because I’m not interested in spending my fucking days farting around here while everyone makes up their minds whether they want to do it or not. If everyone else wants to do it, great, but I don’t have to be here.” If the experience of this project ended up like that of the White Album, he said, maybe it should be their last venture together. “There’s no point in hanging on.”
It's interesting to read of how Enoch Powell's xenophobia inspired The Beatles to write "Get Back":
It was at this point that ‘Get Back’ began to develop as a song. As he often did when working up a composition, Paul sang snatches of gibberish while they played; some of the words and phrases that emerged would be discarded and some would remain in the finished number. He riffed about Pakistanis, Arizona, California grass, Puerto Ricans and Mohicans, and introduced two characters, Joe and Theresa. Paul sang about somebody with an uncertain sexual identity, who thought she was a woman but was really “another man”, and other lines were present that are now preserved in the finished song. The chorus was now fixed as “Get back to where you once belonged”. Paul laughed and commented on the lack of meaning in the lyrics, though he was only following the long-established Beatles tradition of writing vaguely plausible words that scanned with the music. George commented that it wouldn’t matter if he used any “rubbish” for the text of the song, as The Band had done on their track ‘Caledonia Mission’, with its watchman, garden gate, magistrate and hexagram. But for a while, one of the lyrical themes of ‘Get Back’ would be a satire on racist attitudes to immigration. Sticking to the lyrical theme of ‘Get Back’, Paul began to improvise another song about Enoch Powell and his arguments for repatriation. The lyric had Powell telling immigrants to “get back to your Commonwealth homes”, and Ted Heath (leader of the Opposition, who had sacked Powell from the Shadow Cabinet the previous April) telling Powell: “Enoch, you’d better go home.” Harold Wilson came into the song at this point, saying something barely intelligible. The song’s chorus was simply the word “Commonwealth” called out by Paul, who was audibly amused when John responded with the word “Yes?” in a high voice with a distinctly proletarian accent – a quick-witted interpretation of the word “common”. Paul continued the number by name-checking various Commonwealth countries, including Pakistan, India, Australia and New Zealand, though one decidedly non-Commonwealth destination stood out: Tucson, a populous city in southern Arizona.
Then, on the rooftop:
After an agonising silence, John Lennon suddenly came through as the leader of the group, as he had been from the beginning. “Fuck it. Let’s do it,” he said. With John on side, George and Ringo immediately dropped their objections, and within minutes all four Beatles climbed up the spiral staircase, one by one, to play music together in public for the final time.
Notably, the London police constabulary didn't care about it all:
Tom Brown wondered about the legality of what The Beatles were doing: the police did not seem to be intervening, but surely they couldn’t get away with creating such a major disturbance in the middle of London. So he and Mike came down from the roof and walked towards West End Central to make some enquiries. “We went round to the police station and we just asked the obvious question – were they going to stop it? The guy behind the desk said no, they were happy for The Beatles to have their fun. Apart from the fact that it had brought that part of London to a standstill, it wasn’t doing any harm. At least that’s the way he saw it. It was something different, in the spirit of the time. So at that point they were happy to let them play.”
Altogether, the author's love for the band and the subject matter is apparent, and what is needed to write this book, or so merely I strongly feel. It's a good one.
After The Beatles finished their second go at ‘Don’t Let Me Down’, they rounded off the performance with the song they had started it with: ‘Get Back’. Despite the deal that had been made with the police, an officer made a remark that caused some confusion and prompted Mal Evans to turn off the Fender Twin amplifiers that John and George were using. Ringo cried “Don’t touch that!” and George turned his amplifier back on and Mal revived John’s, and they were able to finish the song, with Paul tossing in a spoken section about the song’s Loretta character “playing on the roofs again” to the displeasure of her mother, who would have her arrested. As the song ended, there was a final “Yay!” of enthusiasm from Maureen Starkey, eliciting a “Thanks, Mo” from Paul. John lifted the Epiphone Casino off his body, turned to the microphone and inspired peals of knowing laughter for the immortal lines: “I’d like to say thank you on behalf of the group and ourselves, and I hope we passed the audition.”
July 12, 2019
Neat little detailed snap-shot for the event essentially called the last Beatles live concert which took place on the rooftop of the Apple building in London.
Barrell covers all the news stories going on during that cold January 30th in 1969 as well as all of the band drama going on within the Beatles including all of their ideas for a location for a possible live concert.
Wrapped around all of this is the filming of the Beatles for a television special which turned into the Let It Be film.
Barrell covers all the news stories going on during that cold January 30th in 1969 as well as all of the band drama going on within the Beatles including all of their ideas for a location for a possible live concert.
Wrapped around all of this is the filming of the Beatles for a television special which turned into the Let It Be film.
January 7, 2019
Most people call it the “rooftop concert”, so that’s what I usually call it. However, while it certainly took place on a rooftop, it wasn’t really a concert. When you go to a concert, the musicians don’t usually play a public sound check followed by a rehearsal of a song and then a proper version of it. But that’s what The Beatles were doing: they were doing takes of their songs. That’s what you do in a recording session, which is what it was. Except that it was more than that, as well."
The author weaves in all the current news stories, events going on at the same time, funny comments, reminiscences and memories, creating a book nostalgic and ideal for Beatles' fans.
The copy was kindly provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley.
December 6, 2019
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 3.5 of 5
How do you write an entire book about an incident that last only a couple of hours? By using the moment as the center point and moving outward, like the ripples in a pond.
I've been seeing a fair number of books about The Beatles in the last few years and I suspect there's a bit of a rush to gather as many first-hand accounts as possible before we lose access to those who were there for The Beatles' various moments. This is no exception and author Tony Barrell nicely captures the memories of as many people involved in the actual performance on the rooftop, the people who worked in the the Apple Records building at the time, people who worked in the offices around Apple Records whose afternoon was interrupted by the loud music, and those who were either passing by or those who rushed to the scene when word got out that The Beatles were playing some new songs, live at the Apple Records building.
For those of us who have even a modest interest in The Beatles (and if you didn't why would you consider this book?) we probably now a few basic things about the 'concert on the roof.' First, 'concert' is a bit of a misnomer. It wasn't a concert as much as it was a recording session. And filming was a means to an end ... a way to fulfill an obligation for a film. But it was quite spur of the moment, and we get some good inside information from those who worked at Apple. Sometimes the information is contradictory, but that definitely adds to the 'realness' of the moment.
Things we don't often think about when we talk about an event such as this are the non-players who are affected. Reading about the neighbors who were annoyed by the loud music and the disruption caused by people standing around to watch and listen at first seems inconceivable, but of course it makes a certain amount of sense. Only those of us who are Beatles fans would prioritize the impromptu concert/recording session over any other daily business.
I enjoyed reading about some of the other people who were there at the recording. From secretaries who wanted to be a part of this momentous occasion to assistant engineer Alan Parsons. Barrell even manages to get comments from some of the police who we remember from the film coming to stop the playing. What I didn't know before this was that someone had previously checked in with the local police station and were told that if the owners of the building didn't complain, they wouldn't have a problem with it. Since the Beatles owned the building, they assumed they were good to play.
When I've watched the film, I've wondered why there weren't more people around (aside from the smaller space) and this is addressed as well (concerns about the roof being able to support the weight).
This was an interesting book and while the distinction is slight, this was more about a moment in time, featuring The Beatles, than it was about The Beatles specifically. We don't really get as much about the Fab Four themselves as we might in many other books written about the group. But we do get a number of first-hand accounts about what it was like being there, and the reactions to this group who didn't perform in public much any more, making a surprise rooftop appearance.
Looking for a good book? The Beatles On the Roof by Tony Barrell explores reactions from many different people to The Beatles' noted rooftop concert.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review
How do you write an entire book about an incident that last only a couple of hours? By using the moment as the center point and moving outward, like the ripples in a pond.
I've been seeing a fair number of books about The Beatles in the last few years and I suspect there's a bit of a rush to gather as many first-hand accounts as possible before we lose access to those who were there for The Beatles' various moments. This is no exception and author Tony Barrell nicely captures the memories of as many people involved in the actual performance on the rooftop, the people who worked in the the Apple Records building at the time, people who worked in the offices around Apple Records whose afternoon was interrupted by the loud music, and those who were either passing by or those who rushed to the scene when word got out that The Beatles were playing some new songs, live at the Apple Records building.
For those of us who have even a modest interest in The Beatles (and if you didn't why would you consider this book?) we probably now a few basic things about the 'concert on the roof.' First, 'concert' is a bit of a misnomer. It wasn't a concert as much as it was a recording session. And filming was a means to an end ... a way to fulfill an obligation for a film. But it was quite spur of the moment, and we get some good inside information from those who worked at Apple. Sometimes the information is contradictory, but that definitely adds to the 'realness' of the moment.
Things we don't often think about when we talk about an event such as this are the non-players who are affected. Reading about the neighbors who were annoyed by the loud music and the disruption caused by people standing around to watch and listen at first seems inconceivable, but of course it makes a certain amount of sense. Only those of us who are Beatles fans would prioritize the impromptu concert/recording session over any other daily business.
I enjoyed reading about some of the other people who were there at the recording. From secretaries who wanted to be a part of this momentous occasion to assistant engineer Alan Parsons. Barrell even manages to get comments from some of the police who we remember from the film coming to stop the playing. What I didn't know before this was that someone had previously checked in with the local police station and were told that if the owners of the building didn't complain, they wouldn't have a problem with it. Since the Beatles owned the building, they assumed they were good to play.
When I've watched the film, I've wondered why there weren't more people around (aside from the smaller space) and this is addressed as well (concerns about the roof being able to support the weight).
This was an interesting book and while the distinction is slight, this was more about a moment in time, featuring The Beatles, than it was about The Beatles specifically. We don't really get as much about the Fab Four themselves as we might in many other books written about the group. But we do get a number of first-hand accounts about what it was like being there, and the reactions to this group who didn't perform in public much any more, making a surprise rooftop appearance.
Looking for a good book? The Beatles On the Roof by Tony Barrell explores reactions from many different people to The Beatles' noted rooftop concert.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review
June 14, 2020
THOSE MOPTOPS - HOW FRESH!!
THE Beatles On the Rooftop is a refreshment when placed next to the hundreds of other Beatles tomes...all so earnest and deeply investigative.
'Rooftop' captures one fresh, windy January day in the latter-day lives of The Beatles, in fact the truly final day of their careers as live performers.
We get to note every little detail of that confusing day: the quavering "will we, won't we" of the Beatles' prima donna indecisiveness. The Rooftop happened to be the last-minute crazy idea in a late night brainstorming session of nutty, crazier ideas for ways to get the group out before a live audience again since their celebrated swansong in 1966 at California's Candlestick Park.
The Rooftop of 3 Saville Row, Apple Headquarters, was the inspired idea of a Beatles aide, an idea that they instantly saw as the perfect justice for their years of being artistically insulted by always being seen by screaming crowds, but never heard over the din. From atop #3 the table would at last be turned: they would be heard, but not seen by their audience below on the streets. Brilliant!
The logistics involved countless hurried engineering, carpentry and electronics tasks taken care of by countless tradesmen, all running in and out, up and down the stairs, called in at the spur of the moment to serve the Fabs. The boys enjoyed their capability of making things happen with the snap of a finger. Rather royal, were The Beatles!
In the windy, wet London weather that nearly gave their hands frostbite The Beatles played the newly-penned 'Don't Let Me Down' - which John flubbed in several parts and had to re-play because the show was being video recorded - 'Get Back,' a real rave; 'One After Nine O Nine,' and 'Two of Us.'
An eclectic audience of hundreds came out of their work stations and offices to peer upwards, craning their necks to get a view. Only a lucky view actually watched the concert, those who worked in buildings adjoining #3 Saville and who were nimble enough to get up on their respective roofs.
Some grouch called the police complaining about the "noise." The bobbies duly showed up but felt so starstruck by The Beatles, they could only feebly make the case for shutting the show down, "Please," said one them, a die hard Beatles fan. John obliged by negotiating their staying put for the extra time needed for that needed second take of 'Don't Let Me Down.'
Then it was all done. In his inimitable style John spoke into the microphone:" On behalf of me and the group I'd like to say thank you to all, and I hope we passed the audition."
This book is an easy read, light-hearted and engaging. Dig it!
THE Beatles On the Rooftop is a refreshment when placed next to the hundreds of other Beatles tomes...all so earnest and deeply investigative.
'Rooftop' captures one fresh, windy January day in the latter-day lives of The Beatles, in fact the truly final day of their careers as live performers.
We get to note every little detail of that confusing day: the quavering "will we, won't we" of the Beatles' prima donna indecisiveness. The Rooftop happened to be the last-minute crazy idea in a late night brainstorming session of nutty, crazier ideas for ways to get the group out before a live audience again since their celebrated swansong in 1966 at California's Candlestick Park.
The Rooftop of 3 Saville Row, Apple Headquarters, was the inspired idea of a Beatles aide, an idea that they instantly saw as the perfect justice for their years of being artistically insulted by always being seen by screaming crowds, but never heard over the din. From atop #3 the table would at last be turned: they would be heard, but not seen by their audience below on the streets. Brilliant!
The logistics involved countless hurried engineering, carpentry and electronics tasks taken care of by countless tradesmen, all running in and out, up and down the stairs, called in at the spur of the moment to serve the Fabs. The boys enjoyed their capability of making things happen with the snap of a finger. Rather royal, were The Beatles!
In the windy, wet London weather that nearly gave their hands frostbite The Beatles played the newly-penned 'Don't Let Me Down' - which John flubbed in several parts and had to re-play because the show was being video recorded - 'Get Back,' a real rave; 'One After Nine O Nine,' and 'Two of Us.'
An eclectic audience of hundreds came out of their work stations and offices to peer upwards, craning their necks to get a view. Only a lucky view actually watched the concert, those who worked in buildings adjoining #3 Saville and who were nimble enough to get up on their respective roofs.
Some grouch called the police complaining about the "noise." The bobbies duly showed up but felt so starstruck by The Beatles, they could only feebly make the case for shutting the show down, "Please," said one them, a die hard Beatles fan. John obliged by negotiating their staying put for the extra time needed for that needed second take of 'Don't Let Me Down.'
Then it was all done. In his inimitable style John spoke into the microphone:" On behalf of me and the group I'd like to say thank you to all, and I hope we passed the audition."
This book is an easy read, light-hearted and engaging. Dig it!
July 11, 2018
The Beatles on The Roof is a delightful, focused account on that time and event in Beatle's history that elevated their final concert to the rooftop of Apple Records.
Author, Tony Barrell, does a fantastic job of bringing the time period into focus. With detailed care he weaves world and music history into the moments that led to the concert so that the reader is brought into the late 1960's with a deep understanding of what was going on in society as the individual lives of the Beatles and their life as a band.
In addition he brings together facts that reveal more than I have read about this time period, and lifts some of the assumptions made if one sees or is told about the "Let It Be" film. For instance the book details George Harrison's part of the deliberations about a concert and being the hold out about not going to some exotic local. This, as well as his argument with Paul McCartney sends him, as Ringo did earlier, walking away from the band for a period. Not shown in the film, but in the book is the soon realization that George is a "key" member of the Beatles and thus when he is brought back, he is given a new respect that leads to his music inclusions on the later Abbey Road album.
Finally with all of the difficulties the band was having the inclusion of Billy Preston (a Harrison suggestion) they begin playing "nice," which leads to the rooftop concert. I was also surprised that the concert almost did not happen until moments before it did.
Through the internet I was able to stream Let it Be after reading this book, and what used to be a "downer" film was suddenly a winner. The band playing together on the roof was a reminder that "they could still do it." That they four, with Billy, still gelled.
As a Beatle fan I cannot sing the praises of this book enough. Whether you want a detailed look into this history or just want a glimpse into the life of the Beatles this book is worth the read.
Author, Tony Barrell, does a fantastic job of bringing the time period into focus. With detailed care he weaves world and music history into the moments that led to the concert so that the reader is brought into the late 1960's with a deep understanding of what was going on in society as the individual lives of the Beatles and their life as a band.
In addition he brings together facts that reveal more than I have read about this time period, and lifts some of the assumptions made if one sees or is told about the "Let It Be" film. For instance the book details George Harrison's part of the deliberations about a concert and being the hold out about not going to some exotic local. This, as well as his argument with Paul McCartney sends him, as Ringo did earlier, walking away from the band for a period. Not shown in the film, but in the book is the soon realization that George is a "key" member of the Beatles and thus when he is brought back, he is given a new respect that leads to his music inclusions on the later Abbey Road album.
Finally with all of the difficulties the band was having the inclusion of Billy Preston (a Harrison suggestion) they begin playing "nice," which leads to the rooftop concert. I was also surprised that the concert almost did not happen until moments before it did.
Through the internet I was able to stream Let it Be after reading this book, and what used to be a "downer" film was suddenly a winner. The band playing together on the roof was a reminder that "they could still do it." That they four, with Billy, still gelled.
As a Beatle fan I cannot sing the praises of this book enough. Whether you want a detailed look into this history or just want a glimpse into the life of the Beatles this book is worth the read.
August 27, 2019
There are no deep truths or anything fundamentally earth shattering here. Yet, what a fun and interesting book. In truth, the actual concert on the roof takes up a small portion of this short book. Barrell instead takes us inside the final year of the Beatles with all of their sniping at each other, rivalries, jealousies, and different ambitions. One wonders how these four supremely talented and yet strong willed musicians held it together for as long as they did!
One of the most interesting sections of the book is about how they ended up on the roof in the first place (the person who actually suggested it has been attributed to so many people at this point that the truth will probably never be known). The Beatles had at this time not performed live for years and had little interest in doing so again. Yet when the ideas for a new Beatles film and tv program were suggested to them, it was one of the rare things that all members found some common ground on. Some new live footage was to be included but where would they play? Some suggested a ship, others some of the old clubs they played in Liverpool as they were coming up, a live show with 100,000 people, a live show with no people (Yoko Ono’s contribution), a show in the deserts of Morocco, and John’s idea when it was put to him by Paul that they should do a show performing naked, that the audience should be naked instead. (This was by far my favorite suggestion).
Barrell writes like a fan (which he is) but it never distracts from the book as it continues to be fun and informative throughout. If you are interested in The Beatles, or simply London at the end of the 1960’s, this is the book for you.
One of the most interesting sections of the book is about how they ended up on the roof in the first place (the person who actually suggested it has been attributed to so many people at this point that the truth will probably never be known). The Beatles had at this time not performed live for years and had little interest in doing so again. Yet when the ideas for a new Beatles film and tv program were suggested to them, it was one of the rare things that all members found some common ground on. Some new live footage was to be included but where would they play? Some suggested a ship, others some of the old clubs they played in Liverpool as they were coming up, a live show with 100,000 people, a live show with no people (Yoko Ono’s contribution), a show in the deserts of Morocco, and John’s idea when it was put to him by Paul that they should do a show performing naked, that the audience should be naked instead. (This was by far my favorite suggestion).
Barrell writes like a fan (which he is) but it never distracts from the book as it continues to be fun and informative throughout. If you are interested in The Beatles, or simply London at the end of the 1960’s, this is the book for you.
September 11, 2018
Warning: You’ll probably want to shell out $149 for the entire oeuvre on iTunes if you read Tony Barrell’s account of The Beatles’ final “concert”!
Never a particular aficionado of The Beatles, more of a run-of-the-mill fan, I nevertheless enjoyed immensely the story leading up to and culminating in the concert on the roof of 3 Savile Row in London.
The focus on one specific event, what turned out to be the final live appearance of The Beatles, is fascinating in its detail, not just about the temperaments and relationships between the four musicians and those who worked closely with them, but also what else was going on in London and in the world at that specific time.
For a die-hard fan hungry for a single-minded story about the band and directly-related specifics, the short discussions about everything from riots at the London School of Economics to the launch of the Apollo 8 mission to the moon might be tedious, but I found them fascinating. I felt I had a better understanding of the times (I was barely 6 years old at the time).
I bought this as a gift, read it, and have a whole new appreciation for the lads from Liverpool. Very good writing, and both succinct (172 pages) and compelling.
Never a particular aficionado of The Beatles, more of a run-of-the-mill fan, I nevertheless enjoyed immensely the story leading up to and culminating in the concert on the roof of 3 Savile Row in London.
The focus on one specific event, what turned out to be the final live appearance of The Beatles, is fascinating in its detail, not just about the temperaments and relationships between the four musicians and those who worked closely with them, but also what else was going on in London and in the world at that specific time.
For a die-hard fan hungry for a single-minded story about the band and directly-related specifics, the short discussions about everything from riots at the London School of Economics to the launch of the Apollo 8 mission to the moon might be tedious, but I found them fascinating. I felt I had a better understanding of the times (I was barely 6 years old at the time).
I bought this as a gift, read it, and have a whole new appreciation for the lads from Liverpool. Very good writing, and both succinct (172 pages) and compelling.
May 12, 2018
The Beatles on the Roof focuses on the time leading up to and through the concert on the roof of the Apple building in Savile Row. The book discusses all of the major players in and around the Beatles at the time, along with how the decision to perform this concert came to be.
It is an interesting read even though parts of this story has been told in other books, interviews and documentaries. Out of all the things that Beatles fans have full access to, the Let It Be documentary in full is one of the few things that is still not within reach of fans for easy viewing access. Although there are plenty of clips, this book puts together the entire picture of what was going on during the filming and how this impacted the Beatles going forward as a band. Most Beatles fans would enjoy this book.
*Book provided by NetGalley
It is an interesting read even though parts of this story has been told in other books, interviews and documentaries. Out of all the things that Beatles fans have full access to, the Let It Be documentary in full is one of the few things that is still not within reach of fans for easy viewing access. Although there are plenty of clips, this book puts together the entire picture of what was going on during the filming and how this impacted the Beatles going forward as a band. Most Beatles fans would enjoy this book.
*Book provided by NetGalley
September 13, 2018
I loved this book! I thought it was a super entertaining look into the beginning of the end of my all-time favorite super group, The Beatles. It was full of little tidbits that I found fascinating, both about The Beatles, but also about other happenings in London and the rest of the world that gave some insight into the band’s decision making that ultimately led to their last live performance on the roof top of 3 Savile Row. The book contains interviews from all sorts of people, from the police officers that came in to Apple Records to address the noise complaints from the bowler hat neighbors, to passerby’s who were in the right place at the right time to witness this historic event first hand. I highly recommend this book to any Beatlemaniac, like myself, or to anyone who has an appreciation for classic rock.
April 1, 2018
This entertaining and engrossing book contextualizes the Beatles' iconic rooftop session. The personal and professional lives of John, Paul, George, and Ringo in 1968 and early 1969 illuminate the situation behind the scenes, and I also enjoyed Barrell's references to other cultural and historical events happening at the time. The recollections of those lucky enough to be witnesses to the unannounced performance (Apple staff, fans, students, workers, and police) were amusing. The book is a quick read, and when it builds up to the cathartic concert -- even though fans know what happened and have likely seen the filmed footage -- it gives readers a tiny hint of the euphoria and awe that those present must have felt at such a unique event.
April 20, 2019
Arc provided from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I am a huge fan of the Beatles and this really satisfied my need. This book kept me interested all throughout, and I learned a lot of new things.
I loved how it interviews people who were there and helped make it happen. It was nice to see people’s opinions on it. I also liked how he didn’t sugarcoat anything that was happening at the time during the Beatles’ life.
I also really loved the pictures at the end! It was a very nice touch. I’d defiantly recommend this book to any Beatles fan or just anyone looking for a good nonfiction read!
I am a huge fan of the Beatles and this really satisfied my need. This book kept me interested all throughout, and I learned a lot of new things.
I loved how it interviews people who were there and helped make it happen. It was nice to see people’s opinions on it. I also liked how he didn’t sugarcoat anything that was happening at the time during the Beatles’ life.
I also really loved the pictures at the end! It was a very nice touch. I’d defiantly recommend this book to any Beatles fan or just anyone looking for a good nonfiction read!
May 9, 2018
While the story does have same Beatles tastiness, I found the telling flat ... In the run-up to the roof concert, the story is mostly a depressing one because as most Beatles fans know, 1968 was a time when the Beatles themselves hated each other and almost everything about the Beatles ... Then when they finally got up on the roof, I hoped the book would geek-out on how the Lads played and interacted with each other, but that really never happened ... Like the rooftop concert itself, I'd hoped for more
December 29, 2019
Rate this book 3.5 out of 5. Interesting book, but one for Beatle obsessives I think. I was initially skeptical if the author could devote a book to one small (albeit outstanding) aspect of the Beatles story. The rooftop session was a special performance from a group at a time where they were breaking up but still had the togetherness to put on a great live gig.
The author weaves some social history background and related Beatles stories in the build up to the performance and the detail shines a light on the story of how and why the rooftop session took place. Definitely worth a read.
The author weaves some social history background and related Beatles stories in the build up to the performance and the detail shines a light on the story of how and why the rooftop session took place. Definitely worth a read.
July 15, 2018
I loved this book The Beatles on The Roof by Tony Barrell. Reading this was having my dad back in the room again as he was a big fan of the Beatles. The author Tony Barrell has done a brilliant job writing this book. He writes with so much care and attention on this wonderful world of music and the history of this time 1060's of the individual lives of the Beatles.
My dad would of loved this book.
Thank you to the publisher Omnibus Press who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
My dad would of loved this book.
Thank you to the publisher Omnibus Press who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
January 22, 2025
There’s nothing in this book that every well-researched Beatles fan doesn’t already know, but it’s a good read. I enjoyed reading about everyone who was on the rooftop with the band, and thought the book did a nice job building up to that cold January day.
On behalf of the readers, it certainly passes the audition.
On behalf of the readers, it certainly passes the audition.
November 4, 2018
great read, more Beatle facts? to ponder, plenty of contradiction in the story and friction within the band but the songs shine on.. despite the bloody freezing day they stuck it up the 'establishment' one last time..
January 20, 2020
This has long been an event that fascinated me, and it was fun to read a start to finish account of how it happened, especially the quotes from people who were there. I wish I had a time machine so I could see the show myself!
December 31, 2020
As a chronicle about the later-era Beatles, it's fairly interesting a read- however, the main focus (the rooftop performance itself) only takes center stage in the last chapter.
Maybe this could have worked much better as something shorter, and better focused.
Maybe this could have worked much better as something shorter, and better focused.
February 26, 2021
A pretty lightweight look at The Beatles last live performance.
Focusing on the rooftop gig really limits what is a fascinating period of Beatles history and that aspect is dealt much more fully elsewhere.
Not an unenjoyable book. Just inessential.
Focusing on the rooftop gig really limits what is a fascinating period of Beatles history and that aspect is dealt much more fully elsewhere.
Not an unenjoyable book. Just inessential.
September 4, 2021
A short and sweet book about the Beatles recording on the roof. Like I've said I enjoy getting into these more specialized books on the Beatles. This one was good...maybe not great but I still liked it and it makes me quite excited for the release of Let It Be coming soon!
Grade: B+
Grade: B+
October 9, 2018
Very readable account of The Beatles final concert performance, or not so much a concert but a recording session on a rooftop.
Excellent book
Excellent book
May 19, 2020
A fun, brisk read for any Beatle fan - or music fan in general. Puts the rooftop event into its social and historical context,
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