John Lennon famously quipped how it marked the beginning of the end for the Fab Four
The Beatles in 1967 after they completed Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band(Image: Getty Images)
Music legend Billy Joel has criticised The Beatles’ self-titled 1968 album. Commonly referred to as The White Album due to its minimalist design, the record features classic hits such as Back In The USSR, Helter Skelter and While My Guitar Gently Weeps.
Although it’s loved by legion of fans all over the world, the Piano Man has hit out at the White Album. In a new interview on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast, the 76-year-old suggested the Fab Four were “too stoned” or “didn’t care anymore” when they recorded the 30-track epic.
He said: “I hear it as a collection of half-a***d songs they didn’t finish writing because they were too stoned, or they didn’t care anymore. I think they had fragments and they put them on the album.”
Billy added: “I think John [Lennon] was dissociating at that point. I think Paul [McCartney] was carrying the weight. Sometimes they were more prolific and sometimes they weren’t, and I hear that in some of those things.”
The songs were penned during a Transcendental Meditation retreat with the band’s late guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The recording of The White Album marked a change for The Beatles as it marked the first time the wives and partners of the band were allowed in the studio, with late frontman.
John Lennon famously quipped the album marked the beginning of the end for The Beatles as he said: “The break-up of The Beatles can be heard on that album.”
Sir Paul McCartney has previously addressed critics of the album, telling Radio Luxembourg: “I’m not a great one for that whole, ‘Y’know maybe it was too many of that’. What do you mean? It was great, it sold. It’s the bloody Beatles White Album, shut up!”
Drummer Ringo Starr previously insisted he’s always loved The White Album – despite quitting the group for two weeks around then. Speaking as he celebrated his 81st birthday in 2021, he told TMZ: “I’ve loved the White Album all of my life because we were back to being a band.”
Producer George Martin also disappeared during the process for an unexpected holiday, and engineer Geoff Emerick quit. George Harrison temporarily left the band in early 1969 during the famously acrimonious ‘Get Back’ sessions.
It was during those sessions, however, that he introduced the track ‘Something’ to the band. He had begun writing the track during the sessions for ‘The White Album’, believed to be inspired by his wife Pattie Boyd.
However, George denied this, saying the song was about the Hindu deity Krishna. Tensions within the group escalated after the chart-topping album’s release and they eventually announced their split in 1970.
Despite all the drama, The White Album is considered one of the greatest albums of all time. Billy was set to perform at Anfield this summer, but had to cancel the gigs due a condition.
Billy Joel(Image: Getty Images for The Recording A)
A statement on Instagram at the time said: “Billy Joel has announced that he will be cancelling all scheduled concerts following a recent diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH).
“This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance. Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.
“Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritising his health. He is grateful for the support from fans during this time and looks forward to the day when he can once again take the stage.” The full interview with Billy Joel on Club Random is available now on YouTube, Apple, Spotify and other platforms.