Paul McCartney.Photo: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage
Paul McCartneyis clearing up some rumors.
In an interview on the BBC Radio 4 interview seriesThis Cultural Lifewith John Wilson set to release later this month, McCartney revealed the truth behindThe Beatles' breakup — and said that though many believed that he instigated it — it was actuallyJohn Lennonwho did.
“I didn’t instigate the split. That was our Johnny,” McCartney, 79, said of the band’s breakup in 1970, which consisted of McCartney, Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
He later added on his decision to go solo, “I am not the person who instigated the split. Oh no, no, no. John walked into a room one day and said, ‘I am leaving the Beatles.’ Is that instigating the split, or not?”
The Beatles.Fox Photos/Getty Images
In fact, McCartney said that when it first happened, he wanted the band to go on — since after eight years together, they were still creating “pretty good stuff.”
“This was my band, this was my job, this was my life, so I wanted it to continue,” McCartney said.
McCartney also added that if Lennon had not quit, the band’s musical journey would’ve gone on much longer, but Lennon was “always looking to break loose.”
Lennon’s official Twitter accountbacked up McCartney’s story, sharing a quote from a 1970 interview Lennon gaveRolling Stonein which he recalled, “I said to Paul, ‘I’m leaving.'”
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The news also comes ahead of the release ofGet Back, Peter Jackson’s television series that will detail the final months of the band.
On Saturday, McCartney and Yoko Ono also honored Lennon on what would’ve been his 81st birthday on social media with throwback photos.
McCartneypaid tribute to his late bandmateon Instagram with ablack-and-white photoof him and John holding electric guitars like violins to their chins.
“Happy Birthday thoughts for John,” McCartney wrote alongside the image.
The Beatles.Getty
McCartney also released the sequel to his first picture book,Hey Grandude!, titledGrandude’s Green Submarineon Tuesday.
“I’m really happy with howHey Grandude!was received, as this was a very personal story for me, celebrating Grandudes everywhere and their relationships and adventures with their grandchildren,” he said in a statement. “I love that it has become a book read to grandkids at bedtime all around the world.”
The full interview will premiere on Oct. 23, andMcCartney’s new book, The Lyrics: 1956 to the Presentwill be available on Nov. 2.
source: people.com
