The Last Picture Show
Final Beatles photoshoot a bittersweet comedy. “This marriage had come to an end — and boy does it show.”
The last recording sessions for Abbey Road took place on 18–20 August. This was when various tracks were finished, including ‘Here Comes the Sun’ and, fittingly ‘The End’. After the chaos of Let it Be, The Beatles had produced a fitting swansong. Their work was done.
Sadly, there was not leaving party or farewell trip to to the pub. Nor was there an outsized card covered with messages like All best for the future, Peace and Love, Ringo. Put simply there were many ruffled feathers and seething resentments for any show of bonhomie. As photographer Ethan Russell put it, “the concept of the Beatles just didn’t sync with who they were any more.”
The recording of Abbey Road completed there was now just one official Beatles engagement left to complete: a photoshoot for two record sleeve covers. One was the single Come Together/Something and the other a feebly labelled US LP The Hey Jude Compilation.
Nobody faced the prospect with any enthusiasm. The days when photoshoots involved the boys laughing, leaping in the air or even smiling for the camera were long gone. This was strictly business, dictated by contractual requirements.
Showing up was going to be marginally less of a drag than not doing so.
So on August 22 1969, two days after drifting away from Abbey Road the band got together one last time. The venue was the Tittenhurst Park Estate, Ascot, Surrey. This happened to be the residence of the rhythm guitarist and owner of a comically grandiose new Chez Lennon-Ono.
With its Diana statue, Weeping Blue Atlas cedar trees Victorian assembly hall and stone busts, Tittenhurst didn’t exactly scream ‘working class hero’. But we hadn’t got to that bit yet and those big gates kept out unwanted press, fans and other riff raff.
Handy for George and Ringo, too, as they lived just up the road. Paul was in central London but the others weren’t talking much to him. Mr McCartney could make his own travel arrangements.
Two photographers — Russell, a friend of John and Yoko, and Monte Fresco— had the daunting task of getting some shots that could be used to sell records. Ubiquitous Beatles fixer, Mal Evans, was also conscripted. His last day at the office would be spent getting a few souvenir photos. They were unlikely to appear on any Beatle mantlepiece
Yoko was present, of course, the mistress of the manor. She showcased the hipster dress code, way ahead of the fashion curve with her faded jeans and white trainers. The overall look was that of a wealthy avant garde artist affecting to remain unnoticed at the yoga class. Or perhaps an urban guerilla about to read out ransom demands.
A heavily pregnant Linda was the cheeriest participant (albeit in a weak field). Though an accomplished professional photographer, she was also in holiday snap mode. Linda’s images, taken with Paul’s 16mm camera, would prove the last ever taken of the band.
Her husband, as ever, threw himself into proceedings.
Paul was trying to hold it together. He had his arms crossed like, ‘Come on, lads!’
But the lads were beyond cajoling. His efforts to spark some Fab Four energy were met with a silence stonier than the gravel paths they miserably marched around.
Notable absentees included half the then current wives: namely Patti and Maureen. Both women enjoyed a day out but kept to the old school ‘no birds’ rule when it came to band business. In Patti’s case, her modelling expertise might have been useful to her husband.
George, however, was not in an advice taking mood.
The shadow of the youngest Beatle looms large over proceedings. Ethan Russell later commented:
George Harrison was miserable from frame one to frame 500….I don’t think he did anything but scowl for three hours.
That’s unfair. He does wear his hat for our entertainment — a towering presence in every shot. Even when it is wrestled off him for cover photo, it still makes the contact sheet. George, you can leave it on that bust over there. And I promise you can have it back as soon as we finish. Now smile for the camera? Just a little one? Say cheese
True to form, John Lennon runs George close in the scowling sweep. Sporting a mini-me Harrison hat, John has aged most of the four. It looks like he has spent the tumultuous Rubber Soul years wandering the desert .
In contrast, Paul and Ringo are strikingly youthful. They too, have made unusual sartorial choices. Ringo is dressed for a cowboy wedding, with a scarf he may have borrowed from Linda. Paul has evidently forgotten to pack the shirt and tie that go with his double-breasted suit and shiny shoes.
But they at least they are making conversation and an effort.
Even at this melancholy bash there are lighter moments. The gloom briefly lightens when John and Yoko lead in a couple of donkeys from a nearby stable to join the fun. Even a mystified George manages a smile, though he is careful stands at a safe distance.
Mr Harrison ain’t riding no donkey — no matter what the contractual small print.
The final meeting(s) still disputed after more than half a century
