When you're talking about The Beatles, it feels impossible to talk about any phase of their career without using the word "iconic." In a mere 9 years the band became a global phenomenon, altering the face of both music and pop culture permanently. They are considered by many to be the greatest rock band of all time. Just writing this introduction is difficult, the words feeling redundant and bulky, the notion of having to give background on The Beatles seeming utterly ridiculous.

So it's fitting that the end of the band was also iconic. On January 30, 1969, The Beatles held their final public performance together. The legendary London gig was decided on just days beforehand, held without announcement and the venue was the rooftop of the Beatle's own Apple Corp building.

The setlist was made up of 12 songs, including four performances of the hit "Get Back." The fourth was cut short by the London police, who arrived to break up the concert citing "noise complaints." Paul McCartney, in response, improvised a change to some of the song's lyrics, "You've been playing on the roofs again, and you know your Momma doesn't like it, she's gonna have you arrested!" just before the show was officially broken up.

The performance was filmed for the documentary Let It Be. Footage of the band performing in the wind, wrapped up in winter coats, is mixed with shots of fans gathering to watch. People flocked to the sidewalks, windows, fire escapes and their own rooftops, unaware that they were seeing the band together for the final time. But as the band dispersed, John Lennon spoke what became the perfect final words, one last iconic moment for the band that changed everything.

"I'd like to say thank you on behalf of the group and ourselves and I hope we've passed the audition"