John Lennon and Paul McCartney's Last Meeting: A Look Back 50 Years Later

Christine BurroniSat, April 25, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTC

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On April 25, 1976, Beatles icons Paul McCartney and John Lennonsaw each other for the last time.

While what would be their final meeting was quick, as McCartney showed up to Lennon's apartment, the famed Dakota building in New York City, unannounced, the two also spent time together the night before and watched Saturday Night Live.

Coincidentally, on the particular episode of the show, producer Lorne Michaels was making a plea for the "Penny Lane" singers, including Ringo Star and George Harrison, to reunite on the late night sketch comedy show.

"Paul and I were together watching that show. He was visiting us at our place in the Dakota," Lennon once recalled, according to an excerpt of 'All We Were Saying,' by David Sheff. "We were watching it and almost went down to the studio, just as a gag. We nearly got into a cab, but we were actually too tired." "He and Linda walked in and he and I were just sitting there watching the show, and we went, 'Ha-ha, wouldn’t it be funny if we went down,' but we didn’t," the excerpt, which was shared on fan site Beatles Bible, continued. The TV stunt, which included a $3,000 bribe from Michaels for the band to perform on the show, came at a time when the group was effectively broken up and all four members had launched solo careers.

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According to Sheff's book, McCartney went to visit Lennon the next day with no notice and it was not received well.

"That was a period when Paul just kept turning up at our door with a guitar. I would let him in, but finally I said to him, ‘Please call before you come over. It’s not 1956, and turning up at the door isn’t the same anymore. You know, just give me a ring,’" read the excerpt also shared on Beatles Bible. "He was upset by that, but I didn’t mean it badly. I just meant that I was taking care of a baby all day, and some guy turns up at the door." According to the site, McCartney then left for Dallas, Texas and never saw Lennon again. Years later in December of 1980, the "Imagine" singer was fatally shot. He was 40 years old. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬

This story was originally published by Parade on Apr 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Celebs section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”