The Beatles' Grammy Win for 'Now and Then': A Milestone in Music History
On February 2, 2025, The Beatles received the Grammy award for best rock performance for their song "Now and Then." Despite this achievement, neither Paul McCartney nor Ringo Starr, the surviving members of the band, were present to accept the award. This win marked The Beatles' first Grammy victory since 1997, when they were recognized for The Beatles Anthology and the single "Free As A Bird." The track "Now and Then" was also a contender for record of the year but ultimately lost to Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us."
"Now and Then," released in November 2024, was promoted as The Beatles' "final song" and featured vocals by John Lennon from a demo recorded in the late '70s. Yoko Ono, Lennon's wife, shared the three-song demo with McCartney, Starr, and George Harrison in 1994. The trio utilized the demo to create "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love," which were included in The Beatles Anthology project in the mid-'90s. To bring "Now and Then" to life, director Peter Jackson employed new technology to extract Lennon's vocals from the demo's final track. McCartney and Starr then completed the song in 2022, incorporating guitar parts recorded by Harrison in 1995.
In conclusion, The Beatles' Grammy win for "Now and Then" in 2025 marked a significant milestone for the legendary band, showcasing their enduring impact on the music industry. The innovative use of technology and collaboration among the surviving members underscored the timeless appeal of The Beatles' music, solidifying their place in music history.