<P> After the band had stopped touring in August 1966, each of the members, to varying degrees, began to pursue his own musical tastes . When the group convened to record Sgt . Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in November 1966, there was still a camaraderie and desire to collaborate as musicians . However, their individual differences were becoming more apparent . To a greater extent than the others, McCartney maintained a deep interest in the pop musical trends and styles emerging both in Britain and the United States, whereas Harrison developed an interest in Indian music, and Lennon's compositions became more introspective and experimental . Consequently, McCartney began to assume the role of the initiator and leader of the artistic projects of the Beatles . </P> <P> Each band member began to develop individual artistic agendas, which eventually compromised the enthusiasm among the musicians . Soon, each band member became impatient with the others . This became most evident on the White Album, in which personal artistic preferences began to dominate the recording sessions, which in turn further undermined the band's unity . </P> <P> Lennon was in a fragile state of mind after returning from the band's sojourn in India in early 1968 . He was disillusioned and resentful that their Transcendental Meditation guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, had not fulfilled his expectations . </P> <P> Coupled with renewed drug use and deterioration in his marriage and family life, Lennon's personal identity and artistic role within the Beatles was a source of discontent . He began to develop an intense interest in the work of Yoko Ono, a Japanese - American conceptual artist whom he had first met at one of her exhibitions in 1966 . The pair maintained a platonic relationship until the spring of 1968 . In May that year, they spent time together in his home studio while his wife, Cynthia, was away on holiday . They recorded an avant - garde tape that would eventually be released as Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins, before consummating their new relationship . From that point on, the two were almost always together, even as Lennon was working with the rest of the band in the studio . This violated a previous tacit agreement between the members not to let wives or girlfriends into the studio . </P>

Who temporarily quit the band during sessions for let it be