Friday 8th May in the UK and Monday 18th May in the USA marks the 50th anniversary since the release of ‘Let It Be’ in each country respectively. The album was the last to be released by The Beatles after Paul McCartney announced his departure from the group in April 1970.

Featuring all time classics such as, ‘The Long and Winding Road,’ ‘Get Back,’ and ‘Let It Be,’ the album was actually recorded prior to the ‘Abbey Road’ album sessions, in early 1969. Work did continue on ‘Let It Be’ after ‘Abbey Road’ was released, however debate amongst Beatles’ fans still continues about what should be considered as the final Beatles album.

The idea behind ‘Let It Be’ was to ultimately capture the band 'live in studio' without adding any post-production effects. However, this changed when producer, Phil Spector, was brought in to reproduce the tracks and put the final touches on the album, ending The Beatles’ time as a recording powerhouse.

On 13 May 1970, the ‘Let It Be’ documentary film, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, premiered in New York City. The documentary captures the ‘Let It Be’ sessions of January 1969 and won an Oscar for Original Song Score and also a GRAMMY for Best Original Score. News surfaced early in 2019 that the film would be re-released to coincide with the 50th anniversary, yet Beatles fans across the world are still in anticipation when an official announcement made in March 2020 stated that Peter Jackson’s reproduction, featuring hours of unseen footage and audio from the sessions, will be finally released on 4th September 2020, entitled ‘The Beatles: Get Back’.

To celebrate the ‘Let It Be’ 50th anniversary, we’ve asked 12 friends and Liverpool city partners of The Beatles Story to get involved in our recognition of this milestone in Beatles’ history, with their individual reviews of each track! Click through the link on each track to read more…

1. ‘Two Of Us’ is reviewed by Charley Martin, who holds a Master’s degree in ‘The Beatles, Popular Music and Society’ and is one of the most qualified tour guides in Liverpool: https://bit.ly/LIB50Track1  

2. Dr Mike Brocken, senior lecturer in Popular Music Studies at Liverpool Hope University breaks down track two, ‘Dig A Pony’:https://bit.ly/LIB50Track2 

3. ‘Across The Universe’ is looked at by our friend ‘across the city’ Jon Keats, who is Director of Music and Events for the Cavern Club: https://bit.ly/LIB50Track3 

4. Jackie Spencer, a Liverpool born and bred child of the sixties and Blue Badge Guide & Beatles Tour Guide of 25 years, gives her take on ‘I Me Mine’: https://bit.ly/LIB50Track4 

5. Strawberry Field, Dig it! Major Kathy Versfeld is a Salvation Army officer and mission director for the new visitor centre at Strawberry Field and she gives us the scoop on ‘Dig It’: https://bit.ly/LIB50Track5 

6. The album’s title track is reviewed by Julia Baird, John Lennon’s Sister. See why she thinks ‘Let It Be’ is ‘a Paul special’: https://bit.ly/LIB50Track6 

7. ‘Maggie Mae’ might be just be around 40 seconds long, but Merseyside journalist David Charters gets a mighty tune from this mini song!: https://bit.ly/LIB50Track7

8. Blue Badge Tour Guide and Broadcaster Paul Beesley explains why the eighth track on the album has been stitched together in a way that would make Mother Mary or Aunt Mimi proud! ‘I’ve Got A Feeling’ you’ll enjoy this: https://bit.ly/LIB50Track8 

9. You may recognise David Bedford from our recent ‘Get Back’ series, but in this instalment the Liverpool Author and Historian reviews ‘One After 909’: https://bit.ly/LIB50Track9 

10. Founding member of The Farm, Peter Hooton, explains why if there’s one song that epitomises the sad end of The Beatles, then ‘The Long and Winding Road’ is that song: https://bit.ly/LIB50Track10 

11. Jan Morris is the Sales Manager at the only Beatles Inspired Hotel in the world, Hard Days Night Hotel in Liverpool. She explains why the lyrics of ‘For You Blue’ creates everlasting memories: https://bit.ly/LIB50Track11 

12. Unlike most Beatles fans, author and broadcaster Spencer Leigh celebrates the song ‘Get Back’. Read as he explains why he’s glad that the Beatles broke up: https://bit.ly/LIB50Track12