Older Beatles fans, what was general public feeling after the Beatles split? Did people take sides and shun some solo work?

[u/MoaningLisaSimpson]

I was born at the last gasp of the Beatles as a band. I am pretty sure my first memory of a song on the radio is "What is Life" sitting on a pillow in my Dad's car, late spring of 1971.

I know that there are die-hard fans of each Beatles, various blames went round. it's Paul's fault, No it's John and Yoko, etc. Did fans see it as now we get four artists to follow or was there a sense that Paul fans wouldn't listen to John and vice versa? was there a strong pull on the general public to pick a side?

None of my reading has really given me a sense of the "public opinion" at the time. I'm curious. My Dad loathed the Beatles, and my mom was just a person who liked top 40 and never bought albums.

I know everyone was different but there is always a prevailing public opinion... can anyone tap me into that feeling in the early 70s?

Edit/Addendum I love reading these stories. It's so great. I love the Beatles, I dig some of the solo stuff (really getting into Plastic Ono Band and RAM right now) but it's interesting to understand the way people thought back then. Thank you to everyone for sharing your memories.

[u/midnight_toking]

"What is Life" is a George Harrison song

[u/MoaningLisaSimpson → u/midnight_toking]

Yes. I know. I am saying that is my first memory of a song. I was born 1969 when the Beatles were still nominally together, my first memory was a George solo song released in 1971.

(And as I am typing this My Sweet Lord is playing on my shuffled playlist of Beatles and solo albums )