54 years ago today, The Beatles released their massive, eleventh studio album, Abbey Road. It is the last album the group recorded. Let It Be was the last album completed before the band’s break-up in April 1970. They recorded it mostly in the summer of 1969. They eventually released it on this day, September 26th, 1969, in the United Kingdom, and 1 October 1969 in the United States. It reached number one in both countries. A double A-side single from the album, “Something” / “Come Together” debuted in October, which also topped the charts in the US.
Abbey Road is among the greatest albums of all time. It features some of the Beatles’ most iconic songs, such as “Come Together,” “Something,” “Here Comes the Sun,” “Let It Be,” and one of my all-time favorite tunes from the Beatles “I Want You (She’s So Heavy).” The album is also notable for its iconic cover photo, which shows the Beatles walking through the crosswalk outside Abbey Road Studios.
Abbey Road
Abbey Road was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States.The album has sold over 31 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time.
Several legendary bands and artists have covered the Beatles tune “Come Together” over the years including Aerosmith, Godsmack, Gary Clark Jr. and even Ike & Tina Turner.
A month after the original version by the Beatles came out, Ike & Tina Turner began performing “Come Together” live during some of their performances. Due to its popularity at the live shows, their record company rushed the release of a studio version that also features a soul infused cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Women.”
Aerosmith recorded their version of “Come Together” in 1978 for the film Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. They later released another recording on their double album Live! Bootleg.
Godsmack released “Come Together” in 2012 on their Live & Inspired album. That album also features cool versions of “Rocky Mountain Way” by Joe Walsh, “Time” by Pink Floyd, and “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica.
Gary Clark Jr. released a rocking bluesy version of “Come Together” as the lead single from the DC Comics Justice League movie soundtrack in 2017.
Each interpretation of “Come Together” is cool and interesting to listen to in their own respective ways. All starting with the original, the Fab Four version, off of their great Abbey Road album, celebrating its 54th anniversary today!