Despite all the bad feelings around the Beatles’ breakup in the final months of 1969, John Lennon and Paul McCartney were back on good terms as early as 1974. Lennon — newly separated from his wife, Yoko Ono — was in the throes of his drunken Lost Weekend. May Pang, his girlfriend, reunited the two former Beatles on March 28 of that year, in Los Angeles, where Lennon was producing Harry Nilsson’s album Pussy Cats at Burbank Studios.
McCartney and his wife, Linda, dropped by, resulting in an impromptu jam session featuring both former Beatles, Nilsson, Stevie Wonder, Jesse Ed Davis on electric guitar, Ed Freeman on bass, and saxophonist Bobby Keys, as well as Pang and former Beatles roadie Mal Evans.
Although it was unproductive, the jam was enough to mend their broken relationship. Sometime later, back in New York City, Lennon and McCartney dropped in at the Pierre Hotel for a 3 a.m. visit to David Bowie. As Bowie recalled in an interview with Marc Riley, the three men discussed the possibility of working together, an idea that faded with the morning light.
As far as anyone knows, Lennon and McCartney never again considered re-teaming — except once, in 1976. And it was all thanks to Lorne Michaels, producer of Saturday Night Live.
George, John and Ringo have talked among themselves about a reunion, and their attorneys say it is possible."
— People Magazine, April 5, 1976
The show was in its first season, delivering 90 minutes of sketch comedy and music “live from New York” beginning at 11:30 p.m. SNL had become an instant hit with its youthful cast, edgy humor and smart choice of musical guests.
Then, as now, part of the show’s appeal was its satirical take on topical issues. And in early 1976, one of the biggest stories in music was about attempts to reunite the Beatles.
Concert promoter Bill Sargent had offered the band $10 million in 1973 and upped his offer to $50 million in January 1976. According to an article in the April 5, 1976 issue of People magazine, a "top-level rock functionary" said he knew "for a fact that George, John and Ringo have talked among themselves about a reunion, and their attorneys say it is possible."
With perfect timing, Michaels made a tongue-in-cheek proposal to get the Beatles back together on SNL — for the humorously low price of $3,000. (He would sweeten the offer to $3,200 on the May 22 episode.)
Appearing onscreen, Michaels made his pitch on the April 24, 1976 episode.
“Please allow me, if I may, to address myself to four very special people: John, Paul, George and Ringo. The Beatles. Lately there have been a lot of rumors to the effect that the four of you might be getting back together.
“Now, we’ve heard and read a lot about personality and legal conflicts that might prevent you guys from reuniting,” he said. “That’s something which is none of my business. That’s a personal problem. You guys will have to handle that.
All you have to do is sing three Beatles songs. ‘She Loves You,’ yeah, yeah, yeah — that’s $1,000 right there. You know the words. It’ll be easy.”
—Lorne Michaels
“But it’s also been said that no one has yet to come up with enough money to satisfy you. Well, if it’s money you want, there’s no problem here. The National Broadcasting Company has authorized me to offer you this check to be on our show. A certified check for $3,000.”
As the audience laughed, Michaels continued.
“All you have to do is sing three Beatles songs. ‘She Loves You, yeah, yeah, yeah’ — that’s $1,000 right there. You know the words. It’ll be easy.
“Like I said, this is made out to ‘the Beatles,’” he said, holding the check. “You divide it any way you want. If you want to give Ringo less, that’s up to you. I’d rather not get involved.”
John Lennon, an avid fan of the show, was watching as the skit aired, and he loved it.
Although it’s often said Lennon and McCartney were both at Lennon’s house at the time, McCartney says he didn’t visit until the following Saturday.
“I was at John's place and Saturday Night Live was on. And John said to me, ‘Have you seen this?’ I said, ‘No’ — I’m living in England; he was living in America.”
Lennon told him about Lorne’s “offer.”
“And he said, ‘We should go down, just you and me. We should show up. There’s only two of us — take half the money.’
“And for a second, it was like —” McCartney said, indicating they gave it a thought.
What stopped them? Apparently it would have been too much effort, even though Lennon’s home was a five-minute cab ride from the NBC studios at 30 Rock.
We were having a night off. So we elected to not go and go to work. It was a nice idea. We nearly did it”
— Paul McCartney
“It would have been work,” McCartney said.
“We were having a night off. So we elected to not go and go to work.
“It was a nice idea. We nearly did it.”
They didn’t, but George Harrison did. On the November 20 episode later that year, he appeared in the cold open, complaining to Michaels that he had showed up to play and wanted his share of the money, only for Michaels to remind him that the pitch was for all four Beatles, not one.
As a consolation, Harrison got to announce the show, and then went on to perform with the night’s host and musical guest Paul Simon.
