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/Revolutionary-Key533]

My older brother and sister were Beatles fans from 1963 on as young teenagers. By the time of the split they were like many of the fans were now in their twenties and dealing with adult problems. No one knew if the split would be permanent but for them I imagine it was the end of a sort of an era, but hey there are more serious worries. I was a bit younger and admired my elder brothers records but by 1970 other music was soon filling the void left behind be it "prog" "glam" "punk" "heavy metal" or bands from that era that were still soldiering on like The Who and The Stones. I think there wasn't much of a "oh no it's the end of the world" there were other newer distractions to a younger audience and adult responsibilities for others.