The Beatles stage impromptu concert atop Apple headquarters in London 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 30 1969)

Video: 'BEATLES -1969- Let it be (35mm 16:9 stereo)' (Jan. 30, 1969, 58:14-1:20:00)

(Thursday, January 30, 1969, 1:00-2:00 p.m. BST) — The Beatles staged an impromptu concert today atop the headquarters of the band’s multimedia corporation Apple Corps at 3 Savile Row in London in what become the group’s last public performance, the climax of their Let It Be documentary film.

In a 42-minute set, The Beatles, with Billy Preston on keyboards, played nine takes of five songs before the Metropolitan Police asked them to reduce the volume.

As police ascended to the roof, the Beatles realized that the concert would eventually be shut down, but continued to play for several more minutes. Paul McCartney improvised the lyrics of his song “Get Back” to reflect the situation: “You’ve been playing on the roofs again, and you know your Momma doesn’t like it, she’s gonna have you arrested!”

The concert came to an end with the conclusion of “Get Back,” with John Lennon saying, “I’d like to say thank you on behalf of the group and ourselves and I hope we’ve passed the audition.”

Video: 'I've Got A Feeling (Naked Version / Remastered 2013)'