THE LAST OF THE BEATLES

nary a smile . . . all is not well

On this day in music history: August 22, 1969 - The Beatles last official photo session takes place at Tittenhurst Park in Sunninghill, Ascot, Berkshire UK. One week after the bands last recording session for “Abbey Road” (recording overdubs for “Golden Slumbers”, “Carry That Weight”, “Something”, “Here Comes The Sun” and “The End”), The Beatles meet at John Lennon’s estate in the English countryside with photographer Ethan Russell (“Let It Be”) for one final photo session. Russell takes numerous photos of the band in front of the house and on the surrounding grounds. Linda McCartney and Yoko Ono are both present at the photo shoot along with Apple press officer Derek Taylor. Linda who is only six days away from giving birth to her and Paul’s first child Mary, also shoots 16mm film of the session. Pictures from this photo session are used on the cover of the compilation album “Hey Jude” (aka “The Beatles Again”) released in February of 1970. Many of the other exposures are used for publicity purposes though many have been unseen by the public at large.