13 days until the start of the Get Back sessions
Friday, December 20, 1968, marked two little milestones: Not only did the Beatles enjoy a partial reunion after weeks apart, they had a new record out, too.
Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr partied together in Kensington. What about John? Well, it’s a little complicated.
Roberto, Cynthia and Julian at the couple’s wedding in July 1970.
Via Reuters, as published on December 28 – but do the math:
Beatle John Lennon’s ex-wife Cynthia has become engaged to the son of a wealthy Italian hotel owner just seven weeks after her divorce from the millionaire pop singer, the Daily Sketch newspaper said here today.
The Sketch said Mrs. Lennon announced her engagement to Roberto Bassanini at a party at her new London home eight days ago.
It is said Mrs. Lennon, 27, refused to confirm the engagement, but quoted Roberto, 26, as saying, “We got engaged at the party last Friday night.”
The February 1969 Beatle Book magazine placed the other three Beatles at the party:
Ringo and Maureen, George and Pattie plus Paul and Linda Eastman were amongst the guests at a party given at her Kensington, West London, home by Cynthia and her friend, hotel owner, Roberto Bassanini.
Cynthia and Roberto did eventually marry, in July 1970.
And what of the other record release in ’68?
The White Album was atop the charts. Let It Be was about to be recorded. In between, in this little window of time, was the Beatles’ annual Christmas record.
DJ Kenny Everett linked the four segments running eight minutes, which were recorded separately by the individual Beatles and sent to 30,000 fans.
“It’s probably the best thing they’ve done in this line,” said publicist Derek Taylor.
John had already read his contributions during his appearance on the BBC early December 12 – referring to his “beast friends.” George enlisted Tiny Tim – who recorded “Nowhere Man” – to record his segment, when he was in New York in the fall. Paul delivered a typically tuneful contribution, and Ringo was his usual charming self, amid the chaos.
They May Be Parted 