by The Beatles
First published 2021
January 1969. The Beatles arrive at Twickenham Film Studios in London to begin work on a new project. Their White Album sits at number one, but tensions simmer beneath the surface as cameras and tape recorders capture every moment. Over 21 days, John, Paul, George, and Ringo rehearse dozens of songs, moving from Twickenham to their new Apple Studios. The band jokes, argues, and creates music while knowing this may be their last collaboration. Photographers Ethan Russell and Linda Eastman document the intimate moments between takes. The sessions build toward an unplanned climax when the four musicians climb to their office building rooftop for an impromptu concert that stops traffic in central London. Through transcripts of their actual conversations and hundreds of behind-the-scenes photographs, the story reveals not a band falling apart, but artists pushing through creative struggles to produce some of their finest work during their final weeks together.
Genres: 20th-century, non-fiction, biography-memoir, music
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: creative-struggle, found-family
Setting: Twickenham Film Studios, London, Apple Studios
Period: January 1969
240 pages · Hardcover · Callaway Arts & Entertainment