LogInThrough the use of machine learning, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr were able to transform old John Lennon's demo into what is likely to be the last collaborative effort by The Beatles.
On November 2, 2023, The Beatles released "Now And Then," their acclaimed "last song," which quickly became available for streaming on platforms such as YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music. The composition originates from a 1978 demo recorded by John Lennon, albeit which was with low audio quality. Yet, Director Peter Jackson, known for The Lord of the Rings series, played a crucial role in using AI technology to extract and enhance Lennon's voice.
The collaborative effort on the track goes beyond Lennon's vocals, as it also includes a guitar solo and backing vocals by George Harrison, sourced from archived studio sessions in 1995. Paul McCartney contributed the bass part, while Ringo Starr penned the drum section, culminating in a reunion of all four Beatles members for "Now And Then."
This project isn't the first time Peter Jackson has collaborated with The Beatles. In 2021, he released the documentary The Beatles: Get Back, offering insight into the Let It Be album recording process. Jackson's use of AI technology to improve the sound quality of old demos greatly impressed McCartney, who incorporated these recordings into his recent tour, resulting in a unique "duet" experience with Lennon.
In a recently released documentary focused on "Now and Then," McCartney reflects on the initial resistance they faced when attempting to complete the song.
"Wait a minute. Let's say I had a chance to ask John, 'Hey John, would you like us to finish this last song of yours?' I'm telling you, I know the answer would have been: 'Yeah.' He would have loved that," shared McCartney.
Some more news on AI, recently Scarlett Johansson has taken legal action against a company using her image and voice in the advertisement of an AI app. If you're curious, you can have a look at our recent article.
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