The Beatles' Abbey Road, 50 Years Later

It was the winter of 1969, and just coming off what might be the lowest point in their careers during the recording of what would later be released at Let It Be, The Beatles wanted to give it one more shot. One last recording session, one last album. But how does such an iconic and storied band finally bring the train back to the station?

The Beatles' answer: Abbey Road. From the now famous cover art, the opening baseline of “Come Together,” the extensive side two medley and the final notes of “The End” (followed by Paul's little ditty “Her Majesty,” because they could never end on too serious of a note), it was their swan song.

Released on September 26, 1969, it would not be the final album they released (the aforementioned Let It Be came out in 1970), but it was the final album they recorded together, and the final notes they played together as a band.

After the release, they would each go on to their solo careers, and leave The Beatles in the rearview mirror. So five decades later, what place does Abbey Road hold in their catalog? John Covach, director of the University of Rochester Institute for Popular Music, sees it as a nice blend of their pop sensibilities, and also a more refined experimental and artistic side than had appeared on previous albums. While it may not have lived up to everyone's expectations at the time of its release, 50 years later it stands as a fitting end to one of the greatest rock and roll collaborations of all time.

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