In a heartfelt and candid conversation that touched the core of Beatles fans around the world, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr recently opened up about the unbreakable bond they’ve shared for over six decades—and how that relationship has grown even more meaningful in the years following the tragic deaths of their bandmates John Lennon and George Harrison

In a heartfelt and candid conversation that touched the core of Beatles fans around the world, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr recently opened up about the unbreakable bond they’ve shared for over six decades—and how that relationship has grown even more meaningful in the years following the tragic deaths of their bandmates John Lennon and George Harrison.

The surviving Beatles spoke during a recent joint interview and in separate appearances, offering rare insight into the personal connections that have endured beyond the music, beyond the fame, and beyond the sorrow that came with losing two of their closest friends and collaborators.

“Losing John and George wasn’t just losing bandmates,” McCartney said. “It was losing brothers. We went through everything together—the highs, the chaos, the magic—and then suddenly, they were gone. But through it all, Ringo and I have always stayed close. He’s like family to me.”

John Lennon was tragically shot and killed outside his New York City apartment on December 8, 1980, sending shockwaves around the world. George Harrison passed away from cancer on November 29, 2001. Both losses profoundly affected McCartney and Starr, the two remaining pillars of a band that transformed not only music but modern culture.

In the years since those devastating losses, McCartney and Starr have remained connected—not just through memories or their shared past, but through music, collaboration, and mutual support.

“We’ve always had this thing,” Ringo shared. “Even if we don’t talk every day, when we do get together, it’s like no time has passed. There’s a deep love there. It’s hard to explain unless you’ve lived through what we’ve lived through.”

The two have collaborated multiple times over the past two decades, including on Starr’s solo records and surprise guest appearances. Most recently, they worked together on “Now and Then,” a 2023 Beatles single made possible through a restored John Lennon demo and studio contributions from all four members. That project, which also utilized AI to enhance Lennon’s vocal clarity, was described by both men as a spiritual reunion of sorts—a chance to honor their fallen friends in the most meaningful way they knew: through music.

“That was really emotional,” McCartney said. “To hear John’s voice, to work on something new that all four of us are part of—well, it felt like we were together again, at least for a moment.”

The process of mourning, both publicly and privately, has never been easy for either Beatle. In the decades since Lennon and Harrison’s passing, both McCartney and Starr have used their platforms to pay tribute to their former bandmates—through music, documentaries, concerts, and even subtle nods during interviews.

“I think about George and John all the time,” McCartney admitted. “You can’t not. When I play guitar, I think of George. When I’m writing, I hear John’s voice pushing me, challenging me. They’re still here in a way, still part of what I do.”

For Ringo, the connection is just as powerful. “There are days when I sit at the drums, and I can almost hear them playing beside me,” he said. “That’s the thing about being in a band like the Beatles—it never really leaves you. The bond is forever.”

Fans have long admired the enduring friendship between McCartney and Starr, who, despite the chaos and fragmentation that often surrounded The Beatles’ later years, have remained genuinely supportive of each other. At tribute events, such as the Concert for George in 2002, and numerous Hall of Fame ceremonies, the warmth between the two is unmistakable.

“People ask if we ever fight,” Ringo said with a laugh. “Sure, we’re like any old mates. But there’s too much love there for anything to come between us.”

As they both continue to perform, record, and advocate for causes close to their hearts, McCartney and Starr have become not just music legends, but symbols of enduring friendship in the face of time, loss, and change.

“It’s strange, you know,” McCartney said. “We started out as kids in Liverpool, just wanting to play music. We had no idea what was coming. But I’m grateful for it all—and I’m especially grateful for Ringo. He’s been a constant. We’re still here, still loving it, and still loving each other.”

For fans, the relationship between Paul and Ringo isn’t just a nostalgic reminder of what once was—it’s proof that the spirit of the Beatles lives on, not just in the music, but in the hearts of the two men who carry that torch forward, together.