Legendary '60s Rock Band Scored Its Final No. 1 Hit 56 Years Ago Today, Setting Multiple Records
56 years ago today, on June 13, 1970, legendary 1960s rock band The Beatles had their 20th and final single hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"The Long and Winding Road" was initially released on The Beatles' iconic album Let It Be on May 8, 1970-their last to be released, following their official split one month earlier. Just a few days later, on May 11, 1970, the song was released as a single, with "For You Blue" on the B-side.
Billboard ultimately charted the two songs together, and on June 13, 1970, they hit No. 1, where they stayed for two consecutive weeks. This was momentous for several reasons. For one, this made "The Long and Winding Road"/"For You Blue" the band's final single to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, following 19 prior No. 1 hits.
Additionally, this was the song that cemented The Beatles' all-time record as the band with the most singles to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, which they achieved in just six years. Their first single to top the charts, "I Want to Hold Your Hand," had done so on Feb. 1, 1964.
The ballad, written by Paul McCartney, was also the final single released by The Beatles while all four members remained alive.
The Beatles' full list of No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, listed in chronological order, is as follows:
- "I Want to Hold Your Hand" on Feb. 1, 1964
- "She Loves You" on March 21, 1964
- "Can't Buy Me Love" on April 4, 1964
- "Love Me Do" on May 30, 1964
- "A Hard Day's Night" on Aug. 1, 1964
- "I Feel Fine" on Dec. 26, 1964
- "Eight Days a Week" on March 13, 1965
- "Ticket to Ride" on May 22, 1965
- "Help!" on Sept. 4, 1965
- "Yesterday" on Oct. 9, 1965
- "We Can Work It Out" on Jan. 8, 1966
- "Paperback Writer" on June 25, 1966
- "Penny Lane" on March 18, 1967
- "All You Need Is Love" on Aug. 19, 1967
- "Hello Goodbye" on Aug. 19, 1967
- "Hey Jude" on Sept. 28, 1968
- "Get Back" on May 24, 1969
- "Come Together"/"Something" on Nov. 29, 1969
- "Let It Be" on April 11, 1970
- "The Long and Winding Road"/"For You Blue" on June 13, 1970
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This story was originally published June 13, 2026 at 9:18 AM.