After The Beatles disbanded in 1970, each member pursued highly successful solo careers—but the question on everyone’s mind for years remained the same: Would the Beatles ever reunite?
For a decade after their breakup, fans and media alike constantly speculated about a reunion. While the members offered vague or dismissive responses, John Lennon’s own attitude changed significantly by 1975.
Lennon and McCartney: From Feuds to Forgiveness
Much of the post-breakup tension centered around the once-inseparable songwriting duo John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Their musical and personal partnership had been intense, and so were their fallouts.
After the split, Lennon famously declared, “I don’t believe in Beatles… the dream is over,” in his song “God.” Later, in the biting diss track “How Do You Sleep?”, Lennon directly attacked McCartney, calling his music “muzak” and branding him “just a pretty face.” George Harrison even played guitar on the track, highlighting the rift.
McCartney later revealed that the song wounded him deeply.
A Surprising Change of Heart in 1975
By 1975, however, the feud had cooled. In a newly resurfaced interview from that time, Lennon didn’t dismiss the idea of a Beatles reunion—in fact, he sounded open to it. He mentioned he had reconnected with McCartney and was “close” to him again, although they hadn’t yet worked together musically.
He had already collaborated with George Harrison and Ringo Starr on various solo projects, and while he doubted Harrison would be interested in a reunion, Lennon himself was open to it.
Lennon and McCartney Jammed Together Post-Breakup
In a moment that fans cherish, Lennon revealed he and McCartney had actually played together informally in 1974, during Lennon’s brief separation from Yoko Ono, known as the “Lost Weekend.” Paul and Linda McCartney visited him in Los Angeles, and although about 50 musicians were present, all eyes were on Lennon and McCartney as they jammed together for the first time since the breakup.
The Saturday Night Live Almost-Reunion
One of the most bittersweet “what-if” moments in rock history came from a 1980 interview Lennon gave to Playboy. He recounted the infamous joke from Saturday Night Live’s Lorne Michaels, who offered the Beatles $3,200 to reunite on the show.
Lennon revealed:
“Paul and I were together watching that show. He was visiting us at our place in the Dakota. We were watching it and almost went down to the studio, just as a gag. We nearly got into a cab, but we were actually too tired.”
It was perhaps the closest the Beatles came to reuniting—and it nearly happened spontaneously.
Final Reflections: A Reunion That Almost Was
Lennon continued to reflect on a possible reunion during his final interviews. He told Playboy in 1980:
“The Beatles don’t exist and can never exist again… We can’t be that again, nor can the people who are listening.”
Despite that, it’s clear Lennon believed that a musical collaboration among the four members could still happen—even if it wouldn’t technically be The Beatles.
Tragically, just weeks after that interview, Lennon was murdered outside his home in New York City. The chance for a Beatles reunion died with him.
Conclusion
It’s heartbreaking to know that the Beatles reunion was not only possible—but almost happened. The emotional journey from rivalry to reconciliation between Lennon and McCartney is a reminder of the enduring bonds of friendship and artistry that defined the Beatles.
