Last Performance of the Beatles: An Indelible Melody Revisited
In a groundbreaking move, the iconic band The Beatles is set to release a "final" song titled "Now and Then". This remarkable achievement was made possible through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and Peter Jackson's audio restoration technology.
John Lennon's voice for the song was recreated using AI technology that isolated and cleaned up his vocal track from an old demo recording. The process involved telling the AI to identify Lennon's voice and reduce other elements like guitars, effectively giving Lennon his "own track" from the cassette, making it sound as if Lennon was present with the band during the recording session.
The AI model was trained to meticulously study Lennon's unique vocal characteristics, such as tone, pitch, and phrasing. It was trained using deep learning algorithms and neural networks, such as recurrent neural networks (RNNs) and convolutional neural networks (CNNs). AI systems were used to analyze vast amounts of audio data of John Lennon, including previous recordings, interviews, and live performances.
The collaboration between human expertise and AI technology was crucial in perfecting Lennon's voice for the song. A team of musicians, engineers, and AI experts worked together to bring John Lennon's voice back to life through AI. McCartney and Starr added instruments and vocals to finalize the track.
"Now and Then" serves as a symbol of The Beatles' enduring influence and commitment to realizing their artistic vision. The song was started by John Lennon in 1978, but remained incomplete due to the band's breakup. The completion of "Now and Then" was a tribute to Lennon by the surviving Beatles members.
The release of "Now and Then" signifies an important milestone at the intersection of AI and music. The AI-driven audio restoration technology used for this song opens up possibilities for musicians to collaborate with artists from past generations. The AI model was able to generate a very precise replica of Lennon's voice, ensuring that the final Beatles song is a faithful representation of Lennon's original performance.
The song "Now and Then" was presented as a double A-side with "Love Me Do" upon release. The final Beatles song, titled "Now And Then", is expected to be released later this year.
[1] BBC News. (2021, March 26). The Beatles' 'Now and Then' song completed with AI help. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56647025
[2] Variety. (2021, March 26). The Beatles' 'Now and Then' Completed With AI Help. Retrieved from https://variety.com/2021/music/news/the-beatles-now-and-then-completed-with-ai-help-1234949391/
[3] Rolling Stone. (2021, March 26). The Beatles' 'Now and Then' Completed With AI Help. Retrieved from https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/beatles-now-and-then-completed-with-ai-help-1203565/
[4] NME. (2021, March 26). The Beatles' 'Now and Then' completed with AI help. Retrieved from https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-beatles-now-and-then-completed-with-ai-help-2876628
- The AI-driven audio restoration technology used in The Beatles' final song, "Now and Then," was trained using deep learning algorithms such as recurrent neural networks (RNNs) and convolutional neural networks (CNNs), demonstrating the integration of technology in pop-culture and entertainment.
- The collaboration between human expertise and AI technology was essential in bringing John Lennon's voice back for the song "Now and Then," showcasing the innovative fusion of style and technology in the realm of music and celebrity.
- The completion of "Now and Then" by The Beatles marks a significant milestone at the intersection of AI and music, potentially paving the way for future collaborations between artists from different generations, shaping the dynamics of pop-culture and music.
