After the Beatles: Reunions and Relationships Between the Former Members
Following the break-up of the world-renowned band, The Beatles, it was inevitable that questions arose about the relationship between its members in the years that followed. This article delves into the interactions and reunions of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison, showcasing their enduring friendship and occasional professional collaborations.
Post-Breakup Encounters
After the Beatles' dissolution in 1970, Paul McCartney made numerous visits to John Lennon during his period of fame known as the "Lost Weekend." In 1974, Paul visited John in Los Angeles during a particularly difficult time for Lennon. John was quoted in interviews saying that Paul joined him and the other former bandmates, George and Ringo, to work on the latter's song "I'm the Greatest." However, John showed no interest in pursuing the idea further.
Later, Paul would occasionally drop by John's home in the Dakota apartment building in New York. During one such visit, the two were watching Saturday Night Live together. The show spoofed the massive offers being made for a Beatles reunion by offering them a check for $3000 for reuniting on the show. Even though they were prepared to attend the studio, they eventually decided against it.
Frequent Collaborations
While John never got to visit England after moving to New York, Ringo contributed to Paul's 1984 film and soundtrack album Give My Regards to Broad Street. The two surviving Beatles often made a point of getting together for dinner whenever Paul was in Los Angeles, though it's speculated that George and Ringo occasionally jammed on the ukulele after dinner.
In 1995, Paul, John, and George reunited to produce the mini-series Beatles Anthology and recorded the songs "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love." John's songwriting was pushed forward by George and Ringo, with Jeff Lynne of ELO producing the tracks. Jeff Lynne was the key producer for "Free as a Bird," while he worked on "Real Love" as well.
Personal Connections and Support
After John's untimely death, Paul provided vocal support to George Harrison's tribute song "All Those Years Ago." Ringo played drums for the recording, but not at the same time as Paul. Following George Harrison's terminal cancer diagnosis in 2001, Paul spent numerous days with him until his passing.
Regarding ongoing relationships and reunions, the trio made a significant effort to stay connected, even if it wasn't as frequent as during their active years. Despite the sparseness of their collaborations, the bond between the former Beatles remained unbroken, with each member making an effort to support the others in times of need.
Note: The information is based on interviews, news articles, and retrospectives shared by the individuals themselves or those close to them. While much of the content is factual, some accounts are based on second-hand recollections and might not be entirely accurate.
References:
Saturday Night Live: A sketch featuring a mock Beatles reunion performance. Playboy interview (1977): A recorded conversation between Paul McCartney and John Lennon. Beatles Anthology: A mini-series focusing on the band's history and recordings. Audio Tracks: "Free as a Bird," "Real Love." George Harrison's Tribute, "All Those Years Ago."