Today in History - April 24: World's biggest band nearly reunited for tiny sum

A public reunion of the world's best-loved songwriting duo nearly took place the night of April 24, 1976.

During a broadcast of the sketch comedy Saturday Night Live, executive producer Lorne Michaels delivered a plea to camera for a Beatles reunion.

At the time, The Beatles had been broken up for seven years and John Lennon and Paul McCartney were reportedly not talking to each other.

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"It's also been said that no one has yet to come up with enough money to satisfy you. Well, if it's money you want, there's no problem here," Michaels said.

"The National Broadcasting Company has authorised me to offer you this cheque to be on our show. A certified cheque for $3000."

The crowd laughed at what was a comically small sum.

"This cheque is made out to The Beatles," Michaels continued.

"You divide it anyway you want: if you want to give Ringo less, that's up to you."

Unbeknownst to Michaels, Lennon and McCartney were watching TV together a few blocks away.

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The pair had buried the hatchet and had tuned in to what was at the time a new comedy program.

Lennon later revealed they gave serious consideration to crashing the studio for a sudden cameo.

"We were watching it and almost went down to the studio, just as a gag," he said.

"We nearly got into a cab, but we were actually too tired."

The next day McCartney arrived unannounced at Lennon's door to hang out.

Lennon rebuked McCartney for not calling first, and the two went their separate ways, never to see each other again.

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Later that season, George Harrison made an appearance on the show, disappointed he would only be paid a quarter of the $3000 for his performance.

McCartney and Michaels would later become close friends, with the former performing on the 50th anniversary of the show last year.

The Beatles would never reunite.

For more from our Today in History archive, click here

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