The London rooftop that hosted the final live performance of The Beatles is set to open to tourists. On January 30, 1969, John Lennon, Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison climbed to the top of 3 Savile Row and played for 42 minutes before police pulled the plug on their impromptu performance.
Historic Site Opens to Public
The site has long been a pilgrimage destination for fans of the Fab Four, but now the building is set to open as a tourist attraction, allowing members of the public to take a tour and finish on the iconic rooftop. The seven-storey building, once home to Apple Corps headquarters where the band recorded their final album, has been filled with Beatles memorabilia.
The Final Setlist
Included in their final set were some of the band's new songs, including "One After 909," "Dig a Pony," and "I've Got a Feeling," which were set to be featured in their final album, Let It Be. It also included renditions of "Get Back" and "Don't Let Me Down." Police responded to a noise complaint and unplugged the amps, but the band managed to play "Get Back" once more before they finished.
Lennon's final words into the mic were: 'I'd like to say thank you on behalf of the group and ourselves, and I hope we've passed the audition.'
Memories and Reflections
The Beatles' rooftop concert at 3 Savile Row in 1969 was the first time the band had performed together in three years, but it turned out to be their last. The concert was later depicted in the Beatles film Let It Be. After a visit to the refurbished site, Sir Paul told The Telegraph: 'It was such a trip to get back to 3 Savile Row recently and have a look around. There are so many special memories within the walls, not to mention the rooftop.' Starr said the space was 'like coming home.'
An Important Chapter in Beatles History
The site represents an important chapter in the story of the band. By 1969, they had already decided to part ways and recorded Let It Be together with some reluctance. Ringo later joked that he wanted the cops to drag him off. He said: 'It would have looked really great, kicking the cymbals and all but they didn’t, they just came bumbling in.' A few months after the 'disturbance' at 3 Savile Row, the song "Get Back" reached number one.
