The Long and winding road turns 50

Behind the beat of each popular recording that the world has loved, is often a sad tale. The television show UNSUNG, on TVOne chronicles the rise and fall of many famous artists and there is usually one common theme, "Creative differences." Time and time again it is revealed that greedy, unscrupulous managers and producers desire to do thing their way at the expense of the artists. For those who were not aware, this issue, in part led to the demise of one of the most popular singing groups of all time, The Beatles." The beginning of the end was set in motion around June 20, 1970 when their classic song, "The Long and winding road" was introduced to the world.

This hit was recorded by the English rock and roll band and is on their 1970 album titled "Let It Be". Paul McCartney actually wrote the tune but it was credited to both he and John Lennon. The song was technically released as a single, in May of that year, just one month after the "Fab Four" broke up. It has a special significance as it became the group's 20th and final number-one hit in the United States on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Unknown to fans at the time, there was turmoil and unrest behind the scenes that would send shock waves through the music world when The Beatles broke up. Fans often simply enjoy the music without contemplating what went on to get their favorite song released to the public, Likewise many times it is not widely known what happens to cause a popular group to break up.

The Beatles, from their Apple Studio in central London, recorded several takes of "The Long and Winding Road" on January 26, 1969 and again on the 31st. The line-up for this hit was was McCartney on lead vocals, and piano, George Harrison playing electric guitar, guest keyboardist Billy Preston on Rhodes piano, John Lennon on bass guitar, George Harrison on electric guitar, and Ringo Starr playing the drums. it's said that Lennon made several mistakes, which is why the song was done over,

In April of 1970, the Beatles' manager, Allen Klein, turned over the recordings to American producer Phil Spector with the desire of being able to produce the album, titled Let It Be. During this time, Paul McCartney had become estranged from the other Beatles because he opposed Allen Klein being appointed as the group's manager. Once Phil Spector got his hands on the recordings he made a number of changes to the songs. His most dramatic embellishments took place on April 1, 1970, when he added orchestral overdubs to "The Long and Winding Road", along with "I ME Mine" and "Across the Universe."

The modifications to the recording, so angered Paul McCartney that demanded the song be released as the group had recorded it but he wa denied. Phil Spector's version went out to the public and McCartney made this issue one of 6 in the British High Court when asking that the Beatles disband. The group later recorded new versions of "The Long and winding road" that had simpler instrumentation. In 2011, Rolling Stone ranked this masterpiece as number 90 on their list of 100 greatest Beatles songs.Paul McCartney who was working on releasing his solo album asked Klein to dissolve the Beatles' partnership, but was refused.

The entertainer was so enraged that in 1971 he took the case to the High Court in London. He said that the group was forced to use orchestra music on The long and winding road to cover for the many mistakes made by John Lennon, because of his "atrocious" base playing. The song won an academy award, but McCartney refused to attend the ceremony and Quincy Jones accepted on his behalf. If you did not know any of this you may be shocked to find out that all of this was going on, but sadly there are far too many recording artists who have similar heartbreaking stories. At any rate, the long and winding road" has been with us forf 50 years and that's a reason to celebrate.