“The Beatles: Get Back to Let It Be” exhibition at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

About

To complement the release of Peter Jackson’s “The Beatles: Get Back” documentary, the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland opened a new exhibition on March 18, 2022, dedicated to the making of the “Let It Be” album and accompanying film, with various artefacts belonging to the ex-Beatles on display.

From Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (rockhall.com), January 27, 2022:

The Featured Exhibit is an Immersive Complement to Peter Jackson’s “The Beatles: Get Back” Docuseries

Experience one of the most iconic moments of the 20th Century by stepping inside The Beatles’ January 1969 rehearsals, studio sessions, and legendary Apple Corps rooftop concert, the band’s final live performance. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s newest exhibition, The Beatles: Get Back to Let It Be, opens March 18, 2022.

This groundbreaking exhibition curated by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is an immersive complement to Peter Jackson’s docuseries, “The Beatles: Get Back.”

“The Beatles have had a massive, global impact across generations. We are excited to welcome a diverse mix of fans from around the world to experience this exhibit and are grateful for the support of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, the estates of John Lennon and George Harrison, Apple Corps Ltd., and Peter Jackson for helping us tell this important story,” said Greg Harris, President & CEO, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Fans will experience The Beatles’ creative journey through the exhibit’s original instruments, clothing, and handwritten lyrics used by The Beatles and seen in the film, including items loaned directly by Paul McCartney, Ringo Star, and the estates of George Harrison and John Lennon. The exhibit will feature high-definition film clips, audio, and custom projections, transporting fans into The Beatles’ vibrant world of January 1969.

Some of the exhibit’s unique items include:

Paul McCartney’s black and gray shirt that was worn in the studio and handwritten lyrics for “I’ve Got A Feeling.”

Ringo Starr’s maple Ludwig drum kit and his borrowed red raincoat from the rooftop performance.

John Lennon’s iconic eyeglasses, Wrangler jacket, an Epiphone electric guitar, and handwritten lyrics for “Dig A Pony.”

George Harrison’s pink pinstripe suit and handwritten lyrics for “I Me Mine.”

Fans will also enjoy audio engineer, producer, and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Glyn Johns’ record acetate from the sessions and iconic photography by Linda McCartney and by Ethan Russell, who documented the band’s January 1969 rehearsals, sessions, and rooftop performance, and whose photos are featured in the Let It Be album art. 

Like Jackson’s “Get Back” docuseries, the exhibit shows how The Beatles composed and recorded many of their iconic songs from scratch. The exhibit’s three screening rooms feature a selection of footage from each location from the docuseries: Twickenham, Apple Studios, and the Apple Corps rooftop. The footage from the recording sessions and conversations turn the clock back to 1969, showing the intimacy, joyousness, and humor as The Beatles write and record songs for Let It Be and some songs featured on Abbey Road and future solo albums. […]

From thebeatles.com, January 27, 2022:

Today, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announces a groundbreaking featured exhibit, titled The Beatles: Get Back to Let It Be, set to open on March 18, 2022 and run through March 2023. An immersive complement to Peter Jackson’s “Get Back” docuseries, the multimedia exhibit will welcome fans to step into The Beatles’ January 1969 rehearsals, sessions, and witness the band’s final rooftop performance, surrounded by large-scale projections and superior sound. The scene is thrillingly set with original instruments, clothing, handwritten lyrics, and other unique items, including several on loan directly from Beatles principals. Special events to be hosted by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame during the exhibit’s run, including interviews, film screenings, panels, and more will be announced throughout the year.

Last updated on December 22, 2023