10 Albums Which Almost Destroyed Their Creators

The most controversial of all Beatles' albums, Let It Be (1970) was the last record the band released, although not the last that they recorded (Abbey Road, released the year before, was their final studio effort). The sessions for Let It Be came at a particularly fractious time for the group. Paul McCartney took creative lead, urging the artists to return to their rock 'n roll roots, with a planned accompanying live concert and documentary film.

Rehearsals began at Twickenham film studios, with the addition of an intrusive camera crew documenting the band's every move. From the start Lennon, who along with partner Yoko Ono had descended into extensive heroin use, proved hostile to McCartney's ideas, with Lennon unable to contribute his usual share of songs. George Harrison, in contrast, offered several compositions, many of which were turned down by both Lennon and McCartney.

Accusations of McCartney's 'control issues,' a gloomy, pressured working environment and violent arguments ensued. Harrison stormed out. A return to Apple Studios lightened the atmosphere, but by this time the underlying fractures which ultimately split The Beatles were well in place. To further complicate matters, Lennon and Harrison handed over the master tapes to producer Phil Spector, who significantly altered McCartney's vision. The band would miraculously regroup for their triumphant swan song, Abbey Road. The relative merits of Let It Be are argued over to this day.