Abbey Road is the eleventh original album released by the Beatles, released on 12 September 1969 in France, 26 September 1969 in the United Kingdom, and 1 October in the United States and Canada. Although its release precedes that of Let It Be, which came out in May 1970, it is the last album recorded by the 'Fab Four'. On 20 August 1969, the four Beatles were together for the very last time in the studio and, on 20 September, just as the record was about to be released, John Lennon ended the group by announcing his permanent departure. The separation of the Beatles was not officially confirmed until April 1970.