AI aids McCartney in crafting final Beatles record from Lennon demo

Sir Paul McCartney, 80, recently shared that artificial intelligence (AI) played a significant role in creating the final Beatles record, which is set to be released later this year. The technology was used to extract and purify John Lennon’s vocals from a demo during the production of the 2021 documentary series The Beatles: Get Back, directed by Peter Jackson.

Sir Paul discussed the use of AI in an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. He explained that Peter Jackson was able to separate Lennon’s voice from a low-quality cassette recording and a piano using AI. This enabled the band to work on the demo and complete the final Beatles record.

The technology allowed the band to mix the record as they would typically do, providing some flexibility. Sir Paul also mentioned being informed about tracks supposedly featuring Lennon singing his songs, which were actually created using AI. While he acknowledged the “good side” of the technology, he also expressed concerns about its “scary side.”

In 2021, Sir Paul had previously experienced the benefits of AI when he received the de-aging treatment in the music video for his song Find My Way. Additionally, he spoke about his upcoming photography exhibition, Paul McCartney Photographs 1963-64: Eyes Of The Storm, which celebrates the reopening of the National Portrait Gallery.

The exhibition features previously unseen photographs taken by Sir Paul on his Pentax camera during the early days of Beatlemania. It includes portraits of Sir Ringo Starr, late bandmates George Harrison and John Lennon, and manager Brian Epstein. Sir Paul described the exhibition as “very poignant” and a way to hold onto “beautiful memories” of the good times with his fellow Beatles members.

The exhibition, Paul McCartney Photographs 1963-64: Eyes Of The Storm, will run from June 28 to October 1.