The Beatles remain the gold standard of global rock-and-roll, holding historic industry records decades after their 1970 split. Yet, the question of "what could have been" has lingered for over half a century.
Now, Ringo Starr has offered a poignant look at the band's history, sharing his belief that the legendary four-piece would have officially reunited to make new music if tragedy had not intervened.
The Reunion That Never Was
In an interview with Page Six, the 84-year-old drummer opened up about his former bandmates, John Lennon and George Harrison. Starr revealed that a reunion was not just a fan fantasy, but a highly likely reality had his "brothers" survived.
"I do think we possibly would have got together sometime from, you know, John leaving us to now, if we were all still around," Starr admitted.
The timeline of the band makes this "what if" scenario particularly tragic:
- April 1970: The Beatles officially announce their split.
- December 1980: John Lennon is shot and killed in New York City.
- November 2001: George Harrison passes away from cancer.
While a full-band reunion became impossible, the surviving members have kept the spirit of the group alive in their own way.
Inside the Remaining Brotherhood
Today, Starr and bassist Paul McCartney are the final two surviving Beatles. Despite the decades and the distance, their bond remains incredibly tight, with the duo keeping in touch a couple of times a month.
Starr shared that when he travels to England to visit family, he and McCartney make it a priority to meet up, grab dinner, and hang out.
While they cannot reform the original lineup, the two still collaborate musically. Starr has featured on McCartney's recent recording projects, and McCartney has returned the favor by performing on Starr's tracks.
A Legacy Built on Friendship
Reflecting on his time in the band, Starr—who is an only child—noted that joining The Beatles in 1962 gave him a family he never had.
"I had three brothers," Starr recalled, describing the group's dynamic as a mix of close togetherness and typical sibling arguments. "And you know, brothers have rows and you know, little get-togethers, and then little get-aparts."
Ultimately, Starr remembers the experience as "musically dynamite." Between Starr joining the lineup in 1962 and their 1970 split, the band achieved unprecedented global stardom, generating 20 Billboard Hot 100 number-one hits—a record that still stands today. Though a full reunion remains one of music history's greatest unfulfilled dreams, the enduring bond between Starr and McCartney keeps the legacy alive.
