Up on the roof

30th January 2009 was the 40th anniversary of the Beatles playing their last ever live performance on the roof of their Apple headquarters. It was the climax of the film Let It Be. The original idea of the film was that the Beatles would be perform a huge concert which would be filmed and recorded for posterity. Rehearsals, which were also filmed, began at Twickenham Film Studios in early January 1969. However there was no agreement on where to do the concert, and an exasperated George Harrison walked out, telling the others he would see them 'around the clubs'.

George finally came back after negotiations and filming and recording reverted to the Apple Studio in the basement of 3 Savile Row. However Paul McCartney wanted some sort of climax for the film and also wanted to play live. It was therefore suggested they should get on the roof of 3 Savile Row and play a few songs. It was to be their last ever live performance.

Initially the Bootleg Beatles, Britain's leading Beatles tribute band, were due to play on the roof for 40th the anniversary, but Westminster Council wouldn't give them a license over fears of the safety of the building, which has been unoccupied for several years.

Even though the Bootleg Beatles gig had been cancelled I thought there should be some sort of commemoration. Members of the British Beatles Fan Club had decided to go down to Savile Row anyway and have a party so I asked them whether they would like to do a special tour that day. We planned to arrive in Savile Row around noon—the same time the Beatles played on the roof.

The rooftop, 40 years on
Photo by Richard Porter

A few days before the walk I got hold of the phone number for the Kier Group, who now own 3 Savile Row, as I wanted to find out why the Bootleg Beatles concert was cancelled. I was put through to Leigh Thomas, the site manager there. During our conversation I mentioned my special tour and asked whether we could have access to the roof. I've been doing Beatles tours for 20 years and never been up on the roof on a tour, so I was sure he was going to say no. But I was wrong, he said yes! He said that as long as not too many people turned up we could all go and see the roof. I was amazed—but also had a dilemma, I wanted to publicise the special addition, but wanted to make sure numbers were manageable on the tour. I therefore made it a surprise for the people that turned up.

Just before the event I was called by CNN, who wanted to cover the tour. It was going to be a very special day!

I arrived in good time for the 10.45am start of the tour. Eventually about 25 people turned up, less than the maximum of 30 that Leigh said could get on the roof. I was very relieved. We were met by the CNN crew and I told the people on the tour that we were actually going on the roof. That announcement received some gasps of surprise.

Gordon & Carol Bentley on the roof
Photo by Ernie Sutton

We arrived at Savile Row around 11.30am and I gave a talk outside about the history of Apple and the build up to the rooftop concert. We were then met by Leigh Thomas who led the first group into the building, along with the CNN crew. We decided only a few could go up at once as the roof is relatively small.

3 Savile Row is currently being redeveloped as an office building and has been gutted. For that reason we couldn't really stop and look through the building as some rooms were unsafe. However I did put my head around the door of what used to be John and Yoko's 'Bag One' office on the ground floor, and the former press office on the first floor.

As if to maintain authenticity, a police van pulled up as we were waiting outside!
Photo by Terry Bloxham

Due to the renovation work going on there is no working elevator in the building so we had to go up many rather dark flights of stairs to the roof. All the while I was being interviewed by CNN about my reactions of being there on such an anniversary. Eventually we saw daylight ahead of us and made our way on to the roof.

Although I'd been up a few times before, it still took my breath away to see the very familiar surroundings up there, although there have been many changes too. For instance the door to the roof is now facing Savile Row, where before it was on the side. The wall around the door is now tiled, whereas in 1969 it was brick. One very familiar thing still there was the glass structure on the roof of No. 2 Savile Row, which can be seen very clearly in Let It Be.

One thing that I noticed straight away is that the area where the Beatles were playing is very small. The film crew must have been right on the edge of the building to get them all in shot. I also thought of the Rutles send-up of the rooftop concert when 'Ron Nasty' kicks a technician over the edge!

Luckily when we were on the roof it was a bright, sunny day and we were sheltered from the wind, unlike the Beatles 40 years earlier.

L-R: BBFC members Ernie Sutton, Mike Darwood, Cecilia Burgin and Richard Porter
Photo by Terry Bloxham

While I was on the roof quite a crowd had gathered by the doorway, as fans had gone to Savile Row independently to celebrate the anniversary. Some people waiting outside spotted Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones walk by! A surreal moment on a Beatles anniversary, though the Stones did rehearse at Apple for their Hyde Park concert.

While inside the building I was shown a green plaque to commemorate the concert, which the Kier Group will put on the building as soon as they get planning permission from the council. A big unveiling is planned, to which Paul and Ringo will be invited.

The Commemorative Plaque
Photo by Richard Porter

As only a few people were allowed on the roof at any one time I had to go up and down the steps many times to collect all the people on the tour and must have spent and hour and a half either on the roof or in the building. Finally it was time to go and I completed the tour by going to Abbey Road. We then went to Richoux, Paul McCartney's favourite restaurant in St John's Wood, to celebrate with a few friends. It was a great way to end a wonderful day.

—Richard Porter

Richard does Beatles London walks five days a week for London Walks. He is also available for private tours. For more info please see www.beatlesinlondon.com
He is also the owner of the Beatles Coffee Shop, www.beatlescoffeeshop.com, which is part of St John's Wood underground station, the nearest to Abbey Road. The shop sells food and drink as well as a large range of official Beatles merchandise.

© 2010 British Beatles Fan Club