One member of the legendary band The Beatles improved massively after leaving, according to John Lennon.
The Imagine songwriter believed his work had improved “a millionfold” when it came to lyrics. Another member of the band had improved massively, too, proving he’s a “really tough guy” and a crucial member of the band. High praise came for all members of the Fab Four from Lennon, though it was Ringo Starr he singled out for the most compliments. In an interview with the NME, Lennon explained how the band had “flowered” since the breakup of the band, and that they were better off alone than they were together. In particular, Starr’s writing had improved massively in the two years since the split.
Lennon, speaking on the breakup in 1972, opened up on what he believed to be the net positive of the group no longer working together. He shared: “I think my music’s improved a millionfold lyric-wise and everything.
“And Ringo’s coming out and writing ‘It Don’t Come Easy’ and now he’s going to write the title song for this cowboy thing he’s in, and he’s playing a really tough guy and all that. It’s really beautiful.”
Lennon would heap praise onto Starr constantly over the next eight years, even mentioning The Beatles’ drummer in what would be his last-ever television interview. Starr, who is set to release a new studio album in 2026, was praised by Lennon as having the “better” career of the two.
He shared: “I’m most happy for Ringo’s success because it always went round that Ringo was dumb, but he ain’t dumb. He just didn’t have that much of a writing ability and he wasn’t known for writing his own material.
“There was a bit of a worry, although he can make movies and he does make movies and he’s good at it, but how was his recording career gonna be? And in general, it’s probably better than mine actually.”
Lennon and Starr would collaborate on the latter’s 1973 release, Ringo. It is the only post-Beatles album to feature Lennon, McCartney, George Harrison, and Starr. Despite the group splitting up in 1970, the members would frequently work with one another on solo projects.
George Harrison and Starr would work with Lennon at various points in the studio, though the Walls and Bridges hitmaker made it clear he was the boss. He said: “So then the three of us would have been on, but then it wouldn’t have been the Beatles.
“It would have been Plastic Ono because I would have the final say. There would be no decision-making by George or Ringo, other than if I liked an idea, I’d take it — which is what happened with the Beatles — but then it was more diplomatic.”
