There’s no doubt about it – the Beatles are the most influential rock and roll band of all time. Their catchy beats, thoughtful lyrics, and decade-appropriate fashion made them superstars during their time, and time hasn’t dimmed their power.
Not every member of the band is still around to enjoy the legacy of the Beatles, but fortunately, fans can still look to several of the famous bandmates in times of trouble. Read on to discover which members of the Beatles are still alive, and which ones have sadly passed on.
John Lennon was notoriously murdered
John Lennon was arguably the most popular Beatle while he was alive. His anti-establishment attitude and quiet defiance of war and discord made him a cultural icon, even after the band broke up in 1970. After the breakup of the Beatles, Lennon and his wife, fellow musician and artist Yoko Ono, worked together on projects that they believed would help to foster peace around the world.
Not everyone appreciated Lennon’s message of solidarity, and he had many detractors. He received a lot of criticism during the last few years of his life for his anti-war sentiments, but ultimately, he was gunned down in the most violent way possible.
In 1980, John Lennon was shot by a man named Mark David Chapman, a man who waited outside of his apartment, shooting Lennon after getting his autograph. Chapman later admitted that he killed Lennon purely for attention and actually had “no ill will” towards Lennon.
Although Lennon died as a result of his wounds, his message of peace and love lives on, inspiring the generations of both musicians and fans that have followed in his inimitable footsteps.
George Harrison had a successful solo career
When he was in the Beatles, George Harrison was known as the quiet one. Introspective and thoughtful as compared to his bandmate’s loud personalities, Harrison was responsible for penning many of the Beatles’ successful tunes and was widely credited with introducing Middle Eastern influence into their melodies.
Following the band’s breakup, Harrison became a successful solo artist — his hit song “My Sweet Lord” became his trademark ballad and it remains very popular to this day.
Sadly, Harrison fought a long battle with cancer while he was only in his fifties. Ultimately, he passed away in 2001 from lung cancer at the age of 58.
Two Beatles members are still alive
Although two of their friends have fallen, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the other two members of the Beatles, have soldiered on throughout the years. McCartney’s staggering success as a solo artist has made him one of the wealthiest musicians in the world, and although his rocky personal life has often made him the subject of tabloid speculation, McCartney remains a force to be reckoned with.
As for Ringo Starr, the Beatles’ charismatic drummer, he has remained active and healthy well into his late 70s. He has consistently written and performed ever since the breakup of the Beatles and has even earned renown as a painter. Starr has also continued to collaborate with his former bandmate Paul McCartney, with McCartney making several appearances on Starr’s 2017 album, “Give More Love.”
Starr has an impressive net worth of around $150 million and still tours the world, playing music for sold-out crowds everywhere.
Fans love seeing Starr and McCartney and reliving the glory days of Beatlemania. Although not every member of the band got to live a long and happy life, fans can take comfort in knowing that the songs of John Lennon and George Harrison will live on forever.
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