Expert: Matt Gregersen - 10/24/2003

Question
Who was the first Beatle to release a solo album?

Answer
Hi, and thanks for your question!

Technically, it was George who first released a solo album. In 1968, he released the "Wonderwall Music" soundtrack, and if memory serves, it reached Number Forty-Nine in the charts. However, since it was a soundtrack album, I wouldn't call it an official solo album. John released several avant-garde and abstract albums in the late '60s with Yoko, such as "Two Virgins -- Unfinished Music Vol. 1" and "The Wedding Album", which was basically nothing more than John and Yoko shouting out each other's names and lengthy 'tracks' of just flipping through various radio stations. Not surprisingly, they were quickly dismissed and forgotten by the public.

Anyway, the first "official" solo album by a Beatle was "McCartney" by Paul. It was put out before the release of the Beatles's final album "Let it Be", and caused quite a stir among the public and John, George, and Ringo, who felt Paul betrayed them when he confessed the group had split in order to boost sales of his solo record.

Once again, thanks for your question!