A Beatles " What If ? "

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USA Today had an article back In 2001 where they discussed the Beatles and a wierd " What If ? ". In It the columnist made a timeline representing what could have happened had the Beatles stayed togethor. Now as fans lets do our own.


Fall 1969: With Apple In chaos and the Beatles themselves argueing on the Let It Be tapings..the Band hears whispers of a breakup. Mcartney finally pulls the plug on the show and walks out as Lennon Is shocked.

Lennon tells a newspaper he never thought Paul would do that and meets with his old friend at his home. Mcartney tells Lennon of the problems the Band has and how no one seems to care. Lennon details that the Band will take time off.


1970 : The Beatles meet up at Abby Road and contplate thier future. Let It Be Is shelved for good even though Lennon wants Phil Spector to go thru It. But the rest of the band agrees that the sessions bring back too many bad memories and decide to work on Abby Road .

The final song " The End " has many guessing Its over for the band. But Mcartney proclaims that the Band will stay togethor and plan to record again at some point.


1971: John Lennon releases his solo album " Imagine " . George Harrison releases his 1st solo album " All Things Must Pass. ". Harrison tells In an Interview that Mcartney & Lennon wouldn't release the song on the Abby Road album due to It being closely religious.


Late 1972: The Band meets up at the Studio's again and prepare to release " Getting Back to You ." Mcartney & Lennon work on " Band on the Run " and " Daytime , Nighttime Suffering " as songs on this. Lennon puts a new version of " Imagine " which plays almost like a love song. In this he uses a harp and soft panio.


Track listing:

1. Band on the Run
2. Imagine
3. What You Get *
4. Beautiful Girl
5. Mind Games
6. Only People
7. You Are Here
8. Getting Back To You *
9. Daytime , Nighttime Suffering
10. Maybe I'm Amazed
11. What your Love Gets You *

During these sessions George Harrison grows frustrated with Lennon and Mcartney's pushing his songs out. George gets " Beautful Girl " as his only song on the album as Lennon/McCartney get 10 of thier songs on the new album.


The album sells fantastic as Baby I'm Amazed , Mind Games and Band on the Run all hit 1# on BillBoards 1# Chart.


1975: Lennon tells Paul that Yoko Is expecting and that he wants to take time off . But wants to give a " Kick Ass " Beatles send off for now. Paul agrees as George Harrison In the studio finally quits. He admits that only 2 of his songs were being considered and he finally had It with the Band. Eric Clapton steps In to replace him.

Sessions for " The Haze over Europe " begins. The Band starts easy off with Clapton who brings a wild energy to the band. McCartney feels energized as the Band records a double album.


1. Jet
2. Let Me Roll It
3. The Haze Over Europe*
4. Clapton Solo / Orchestra
5. Let Em In.
6. Can't Stop Thinking of You. ( Harrison )
7. Not Guilty ( Harrison )
8. Whatever Gets You Thru the Night
9. Nobody Loves You When Your Down & Out.
10. Stand By Me
11. Ain't That A Shame
12. Live & Let Die
13. Hi, Hi, Hi
14. Gonna Shake It Up *
15. I Shot the Sheriff
16. Welcome and Sit On Down *
17. I Can't Hold Out
18. Swing Low , Sweet Chariot
19. Have You Ever Loved a Woman ?
20. Photograph
21. Saying Good-Bye For Now *
22. The End/Orchestra/Clapton Jam.


The album causes major havoc as George Harrison gets Incensed over the Band keeping " Not Guilty " and " Can't Stop...." . He sues and the suit Is settled but the Band annouces that Clapton Is now the 4th Beatle as they do a Tour of Big staduims.

The songs that Hit 1# on Billboard are: " Jet " , " Whatever Gets You Thru the Night " and " Live & Let Die ".


1979: Lennon and McCartney do various things during the time off as they do SNL skits and show up In a shocking performance. The 2 joke that Beatles albums are like freak hail storms. You never know when they'll happen or If.

Sessions for " Double Fantasy " begin as the songs come quickly.


1. Just Like Starting Over
2. Beautful Boy
3. Watching the Wheels
4. Nobody Knows
5. Real Love
6. Rockochstra Theme
7. Coming Up
8. Waterfalls.
9. Cocaine ( Clapton )
10. Lay Down Sally ( Clapton )
11. Wonderful Tonight. ( Clapton )
12. Double Fantasy *
13. Good-Bye Yellow Brick Road.


The Band Is shocked at how good Clapton's " Wonderful Tonight " Is. The Band pushes It as the 1st single off Double Fantasy and It goes to 1#. Lennon however doesn't like the Country/Western " Lay Down Sally " and keeps trying to push It off the album. Clapton however Is stern and says that he wants It there or he takes " Wonderful Tonight " off. McCartney convinces John to keep all 3 Clapton songs.

The songs that hit 1# are numerous as the Beatles comback album sells out fast. Also John Lennon narrowingly avoids death by Mark David Chapman In December 1980.

1# songs on Billboard: Wonderful Tonight , Just Like Starting Over , & Nobody Knows.


1983: John Lennon helps his son In the studio record his new album as well as helping Jullian with a few songs. The 2 bond as John convinces Paul to let Jullian go on Tours with the band as well as helping on songs In the studio for the Band's upcoming album.


Clapton releases his solo album as well during this time.

1985: The Band heads Into the studio as they think back on the 20+ years they have been togethor. Sgt. Pepper's anniversy Is looming and the Band decides It wouldn't be right to do a Sgt.Pepper album without George Harrison. George at 1st Is a hard sell but relents when McCartney apologizes on MTV about the breakup.

Clapton sticks for now as 5 Beatles will head Into the studio.

1986: The Band starts on " Sgt.Pepper and His Old Age Band ! "


1. Sgt.Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
2. Forever Man ( Clapton )
3. She's Waiting. ( Clapton )
4. Mr.Kite
5. Got My Mind Set On You ( Harrison )
6. When We Were Fab. ( Harrison )
7. Just For Today. ( Harrison )
8. Under My Tent In Shadows *
9. The Old Man and the Sea *
10. Only Love Remains
11. Tug of War.
12. Sgt . Pepper & His Old Age Band *


The Band Is shocked as young kids ( due to MTV ) sell out the Tour. The cable channel even replays " Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' and It helps the video go to 1# !

After the album and Tour Clapton annouces he's quitting the band to stretch his boundries and release more solo albums while the mega band goes on breaks. Harrison quits as well as now Its Paul McCartney , John Lennon and Ringo Starr left to wonder....where does the band go from there ?


end of part 1#

[SUPERECWFAN1]

1989: The Beatles hold a meeting and John convinces Paul to bring In Jullian to help with the band . Paul McCartney also gets Bryan Adams to come In. McCartney had met Adams at a few shows and found his soft pop touch something he uses.


Lennon Is less than thrilled but takes It as a trade off as Jullian Is allowed In.


After nearly 20 years the band dusts off Let It Be and adds some touches to It. McCartney and Lennon agree It should be better polished.


Let It Be :

1.Get Back
2. Dig a Pony
3. One after 909
4. Two of Us
5. I've Got a Feeling
6. Don't Let Me Down
7. In My Backdoor *
8. Let It Be
9. My Kingdom , My Kingdom *
10. Thought I'd Die & Gone to Heaven ( Adams )
11. Can't Stop This Thing we Started. ( Adams )


The album Is heralded as being found after 20 years. McCartney wants more work done on Across the Universe and The Long & Winding Road so those 2 are kept off the album.

Jullian Lennon helps his father write " My Kingdom , My Kingdom " as It goes to 1# In England.

Time Magazine wonders how long the Beatles can keep thier magic with new and old fans . John Lennon remarks : " Its a love affair thats last nearly 30 years. Are we old ? Yes...but me and Paul can sit and still write songs . "

Songs that go to 1# on Billboard :

Let It Be , Get Back , and Thought I'd Died & Gone to Heaven. The Band shoots music videos for the 1st time as Lennon comes up with wacky concepts. The videos are pretty funky to watch.


1991: The Band on a break EMI convinces Paul and John to release a Beatles : Greatest Hits Box Set collection. The Band at 1st Is relunctant but agrees. The Band decides to pick all thier favorite songs. It quickly becomes a 3 Disc collection set defined In era's.

Harrison , Clapton , & Adams also get songs put on the album. A lost Harrison tune from the Let It Be album Is placed on there.


The Beatles: Yesterday , Today and all your Tomorrows.

The Radical/Magical 60's era: 1962-1969

1. All My Loving
2. Day Tripper
3. Love Me Do
4.Twist & Shout * ( Lennon and Clapton : New Version )
5.A Hard Days Night
6. Can't Buy Me Love
7.Rock & Roll Music * ( McCartney & Jullian Lennon : New Version)
8. Norwiegon Wood
9. In My Life
10. Nowhere Man*( Lennon , McCartney , Clapton , Adams & Harrison : New Version )
11. Yesterday
12. Taxman
13. Got To Get You Into My Life
14. Sgt.Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
15.With A Little Help From My Friends
16. Lucy In the Sky with Diamonds
17.A Day In the Life
18.Hello , Good-Bye
19. Strawberry Fields Forever
20. Penny Lane
21. All You Need Is Love
22. Ob-Li-Di,Ob-La-Da
23. While My Guitar Gently Weeps* ( New Verision with Clapton/Harrison)
24. Yer Blues
25. Helter Skelter
26. Revolution
27. Something
28. Come Togethor
29. Oh Darling
30. Here Comes the Sun.


The Moody 70's : 1972-1979:

1. Band On the Run
2. Mind Games
3. Beautful Girl
4. Daytime , Nighttime Suffering
5. Maybe I'm Amazed
6. Jet
7. Stand By Me * ( Lennon does a New Cover )
8. Not Guilty
9. Whatever Gets You Thru the Night
10. Hi, Hi, Hi
11. Live & Let Die
12. I Shot the Sheriff
13. Have You Ever Loved a Woman
14. Photograph* ( New Version with Harrison/Starr )
15. The Haze Over Europe
16. Just Like Starting Over
17. Watching the Wheels
18. Nobody Knows
19. Real Love
20. Rockostra Theme
21. Waterfalls
22. Lay Down Sally
23. Wonderful Tonight
24. Good-Bye Yellow Brick Road


The 80's & Today :

1. Sgt.Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band * ( New Version...everyone Included)
2. Forever Man
3. Got My Mind Set On You
4. When We Were Fab.
5. Just For Today
6. The Old Man & the Sea
7. Tug of War
8. Only Love Remains
9. Let It Be
10. Get Back
11. Dig a Pony
12. Two of Us
13. Thought I'd Died & Gone to Heaven
14. I've Got A Feeling
15. Can't Stop This Thing We Started
16. My Kingdom , My Kingdom


The Massive 70 Track Hits set Is priced at 40 bucks and many are shocked at how big and deep It Is. EMI releases It In boxed set and as single album sets thru 1991 . The album sold In seperate album sets breaks Soundscan records as Lennon exclaims he never realized how big the Band was and how deep thier catalouge Is.

The Band Tours and Harrison and Clapton join the new line-up at some concerts. Lennon talks about the Iraq War and says he has songs planned for the next album to talk about It.


Early 1993: The Band goes back Into the studio at Abby Road and the new album Is called : Stop The Madness . Lennon has plans to bring In several guests for the Beatles. Paul thinks the Band should release 2 albums because Adams has a few songs he wants to do as well.

Stop the Madness

1. Stop the Madness *
2. What The Hell Are We Fighting For ? *
3. People are Starving *
4. Looking for Changes
5. Peace In the Nieghborhood.
6. Golden Earth Girl.
7. Everything Is Beautiful ( Lennon does this cover with a choir )
8. Peace In the Valley ( Cover with McCartney & Adams )
9. Don't Drop That Bomb On Me ( Adams)
10. Vanishing ( Adams )


Lennon brings In Rick Rubin as producer for the 1st time. Its a move that rackles McCartney some as he felt George Martin knew them best. Rubin brought In guests for " What The Hell Are We Fighting For " and Stop the Madness " like rapper Dr.Dre to open the title track. And Anthony Kleduis for the People Are Starving and 2nd song.

The album fails to land 1# hit for the Band for the 1st time In 30 years. Even though " Everything Is Beautiful " lands In the top 10. Lennon Isn't happy with the albums failure.

Late 1993: The Band brings In George Martin again as Bryan Adams and McCartney feel ready to deliver the next 10 tracks. This Album will be called : Beautiful Blue Skies.

Beautful Blue Skies

1. Beautful Blue Skies*
2. Everything I Do, I Do It For You
3. All I Want Is You
4. Please Forgive Me
5. Lemonade & Scotch*
6. Across the Universe
7. The Lovers That Never Were
8. My Lovely Wife *
9. Open Jam with Lennon/Adams/McCartney
10. Candle In the Wind * ( Cover with Jullian playin Guitar , McCartney/Lennon)


The album sells better and the cover with Adams: " Everything I Do, I do It For You " goes to 1#. Lennon feels angry that his anti-War album message fizzled while McCartney's standerd album sold better.

The 2 have an arguement that the Beatles should stand for something. The 2 leave as tabloids report a breakup Is soon.


1994: McCartney goes on Regis & Kathy Lee and admits that having 3 creative writers In a Band Is hard. Each person wants a song In. He admits he hasn't talked to John Lennon In awhile.

Lennon does single projects thru the next few years and the band goes on hiatus. Lennon Is seen hanging around Bono and even sits In with them for a few recording sessions.


1998: In 1998 John Lennon annouces that he has quit the Band. McCartney Is In shock and accepts It. Jullian stays In the band as Paul and Bryan Adams work on the next album. Lennon does however let the band have " Free As a Bird."


That becomes the name of the next album. As a way to say good-bye to the Lennon/McCartney team.

Free As a Bird.

1. Free As a Bird
2. The Song We Are Singing
3. Heaven on a Sunday
4. The Long & Winding Road
5. When Your Gone
6. I Don't Wanna Live Forever
7. On a Day Like Today
8. Good-bye My Friend *
9. Heaven ( Cover of the Warrent song)
10. Try Not to Cry
11. What It Is
12. The New Millenum Is Ahead*


The Album doesn't chart so well due to Lennon's departure. " The Long & Winding Road, Free As a Bird , and When Your Gone chart well. But the album doesn't sell like the other Beatles albums.


2000: Paul McCartney annouces that the Beatles are done as group. MTV holds a long tribute as they look back at the band that had 7 members , over 40# 1 singles and sold millions of albums worldwide. The Band's Impact Is huge.


2003: Lennon,McCartney,Starr,Harrison,Clapton and Adams gather as Beatles 1# Is released. The album has over 40 1# hits and celebrates the Bands 40 year history.

Paul says that the band Is thinking of touring at some point to hype the album. But George Harrison's Illness cancels those plans and the Band quietly stays gone. As the albums sell huge.


The End......thanks for reading. :)