<Li> "Let It Be" Released: 6 March 1970 </Li> <Li> "The Long and Winding Road" / "For You Blue" Released: 11 May 1970 </Li> <P> Let It Be is the twelfth and final studio album by the English rock band the Beatles . It was released on 8 May 1970, almost a month after the group's break - up . Like most of the band's previous releases, it was a number one album in many countries, including both the US and the UK, and was released in tandem with the motion picture of the same name . </P> <P> The album was conceived as Get Back, a return to the Beatles' earlier, less complicated approach to music . It was recorded and projected for release before their album Abbey Road (1969); for this reason, some critics and fans, such as Mark Lewisohn, argue that Abbey Road should be considered the group's final album and Let It Be the penultimate . Rehearsals began at Twickenham Film Studios in January 1969 as part of a planned documentary showing the Beatles preparing to return to live performance . A project initiated by Paul McCartney, the filmed rehearsals were marked by ill - feeling, leading to George Harrison's temporary departure from the group . As a condition of his return, the Beatles reconvened at their own Apple Studio, where they completed the recordings with the help of guest musician Billy Preston . </P>

Was let it be the beatles last album