By 1969, The Beatles were essentially broken up, but the announcement wouldn’t come out until 1970. After their last album came out that same year, it’s believed that The Beatles never worked together as a four-piece again. However, due to references and hints over the years, fans learned that John Lennon and Paul McCartney made a bootleg album in 1974 after the breakup.

A Toot And A Snore In 74 was an unreleased, bootleg album that Lennon and McCartney made after The Beatles broke up. It is the only known recording of the two of them following the split. McCartney happened to come by the studio at the same time that Lennon was there, along with some other contemporaries.

Lennon first mentioned the recording during a 1975 interview. From there, it was referenced by McCartney in 1997, as well as in May Pang’s 1983 book Loving John, which was an account of her short-lived relationship with Lennon.

John Lennon was at Burbank Studios producing Harry Nilsson’s album Pussy Cats. Paul and Linda McCartney dropped by, and a jam session kicked up. Joining them were Nilsson, Stevie Wonder, Jesse Ed Davis, May Pang, Mal Evans, Bobby Keys, and Ed Freeman.

According to reports from Pang’s book and various interviews, the jam session was heavily influenced by drugs. McCartney once described it as “hazy […] for a number of reasons.” The general consensus is that, musically, it wasn’t anything spectacular. However, it’s a testament to Lennon and McCartney’s partnership. Apparently, they picked up where they left off after not seeing each other for three years.

The session featured Lennon on guitar and vocals, with McCartney singing harmony and playing drums. Stevie Wonder was on piano, Linda McCartney on organ, and May Pang on tambourine. Filling out the session were Jesse Ed Davis on guitar, Harry Nilsson providing vocals, and Bobby Keys on saxophone. Ed Freeman took a break from producing Don McLean in the neighboring studio and filled in on bass.

While the recordings weren’t anything to write home about, and more of an impromptu jam among friends, a bootleg album post-Beatles breakup is still a rare treasure. While John Lennon was experiencing his “lost weekend” at this time, he still had a friend to come around and make some music with despite the circumstances.

Photo by Bettmann/Getty Images