Fifty-five years ago, on April 9th, 1970, The Beatles and Paul McCartney found themselves in a public battle over the band's future. Rumors of a Beatles breakup were swirling, and the tension was evident. On that day, Apple Corps released a statement denying the split. Publicist Mavis Smith acknowledged that no new recordings were scheduled but expressed hope that the band would reunite for a session after the summer. That very night, Paul McCartney performed his new song, "Maybe I'm Amazed," on British television, adding fuel to the speculation.
The following day, April 10th, 1970, the headlines in London's Daily Mirror screamed, "Paul Is Quitting The Beatles." In response to the previous day's statement from Apple Corps, McCartney distributed his own "self-interview" along with review copies of his debut solo album, McCartney. He cited "business and music differences, but most of all because I have a better time with my family" as reasons for the break. He was uncertain whether the split would be temporary or permanent but made it clear that he didn't foresee a time when the Lennon and McCartney partnership would be active again in songwriting.
The legal battles that ensued lasted for four years, culminating on December 29th, 1974. On that day, John Lennon, while vacationing at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, signed the papers that formally terminated The Beatles. That marked the end of an era for one of the most iconic bands in music history.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]