In an extraordinary melding of technology and music, artificial intelligence has been employed to extract the voice of John Lennon from an old demo, resulting in what Paul McCartney refers to as “the last Beatles record.” Decades after the band disbanded, this groundbreaking achievement allows Lennon’s voice to be heard once again in a new song, set to be released later this year.
McCartney, now 80, revealed in an interview with the BBC that the AI technology was utilized to isolate the voices of the Beatles from background sounds during the production of director Peter Jackson’s documentary series, “The Beatles: Get Back,” which premiered in 2021. The specific application of AI involved separating Lennon’s voice from a less-than-ideal cassette recording and piano accompaniment. McCartney explained that Jackson instructed the AI to recognize Lennon’s voice and distinguish it from other elements such as the guitar.
“When we came to make what will be the last Beatles record, it was a demo that John had that we worked on,” McCartney disclosed. “We were able to take John’s voice and get it pure through this AI, so then we could mix the record as you would do. It gives you some sort of leeway.”
Although McCartney did not disclose the title of the demo, reports suggest it is likely an unfinished love song by Lennon from 1978 called “Now and Then.” This particular demo was contained on a cassette labeled “For Paul,” a gift McCartney had received from Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono.
Describing his experience with AI technology, McCartney expressed a mixture of awe and apprehension. “It’s kind of scary but exciting,” he admitted, adding, “We will just have to see where that leads.”
This isn’t the first time McCartney has utilized AI to collaborate with Lennon posthumously. Last year at the Glastonbury Festival, he virtually “duetted” with Lennon on the song “I’ve Got a Feeling,” showcasing the endless creative possibilities that arise from the intersection of technology and music.
In addition to this groundbreaking revelation, McCartney is preparing to unveil an exhibition titled “Eyes of the Storm” at the National Portrait Gallery in London later this month. The exhibition will feature a collection of over 250 previously unseen photographs taken by McCartney during the early days of Beatlemania in 1963 and 1964. These captivating images capture intimate moments with his fellow bandmates Ringo Starr, George Harrison, and Lennon, as well as their manager Brian Epstein.
The marriage of AI and music has opened up a world of possibilities, pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in the realm of art and creativity. As technology continues to advance, we can only imagine the astonishing innovations that lie ahead, forever altering the way we experience and appreciate music.