On this day in 1970, Paul McCartney announced his break with The Beatles in a typed statement he included with copies of the solo album the singer sent to the British press. In the letter, he attributed the split to “personal differences, musical differences, business differences,” but most of all because he wanted to spend more time with his family. (above)
In memory of the anniversary, check out interviews with fans that gathered outside of Abbey Road Studios after the announcement, below.