The Beatles' Grammy Win for 'Now and Then': A Tribute to Their Enduring Legacy
On February 2, 2025, The Beatles secured the Grammy award for best rock performance with their song "Now and Then." Notably, neither Paul McCartney nor Ringo Starr, the surviving members of the iconic band, were present to receive the accolade. This victory marked The Beatles' first Grammy win since 1997, when they were recognized for The Beatles Anthology and the single "Free As A Bird." Despite being nominated for record of the year, "Now and Then" 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 he recorded in the late '70s. Yoko Ono, Lennon's wife, shared the three-song demo with McCartney, Starr, and George Harrison in 1994. This demo served as the foundation for creating "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love," which were part of The Beatles Anthology project in the mid '90s. The innovative technology developed by director Peter Jackson played a crucial role in extracting Lennon's vocals from the demo's final track for "Now and Then." McCartney and Starr 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 the collaboration between the surviving members to bring John Lennon's vocals to life exemplify the band's timeless legacy and creative spirit.