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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How the Only Surviving Members of The Beatles 'Grasp Onto' Their Unique Bond
How the Only Surviving Members of The Beatles 'Grasp Onto' Their Unique Bond originally appeared on Parade. The last two surviving members of The Beatles put a lot of effort into their beautiful friendship now that they have lost their two closest friends. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr recently opened up about maintaining their lifelong bond in the years following the untimely deaths of John Lennon and George Harrison. 'With John and George not here, I think we realize nothing lasts forever,' McCartney, 83, told The New York Times in a recent interview for a profile on Starr, 84. 'So we grasp onto what we have now because we realize that it's very special. It's something hardly anyone else has. In fact, in our case, it's something no one else has. There's only me and Ringo, and we're the only people who can share those memories.' They're still making new ones too. In December, the pair reunited on stage for the first time in five years to perform the band's White Album hit 'Helter Skelter' during one of McCartney's shows at London's legendary O2 Arena. McCartney reminisced about the event in the profile, noting that despite the high intensity of the 'out-and-out rocker' track, he was definitely 'a little bit emotional' to be sharing the stage with Starr, whose real name is Richard Starkey, once again. 'He was a fantastic drummer,' McCartney gushed in the profile. 'We asked him if he would be in our band, and luckily for us he agreed.' Starr joined the band in 1962 after original drummer Pete Best was axed by the group's beloved manager Brian Epstein so they could try to snag Starr from his successful group Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. Aside from his excellent skills on the skins, Starr was known for providing vocals on a handful of fun Beatles tracks — but as far as songwriting goes, he came into the game a little later than his bandmates. 'It's hard to come to the front when you've got John and Paul,' he explained to the Times for the profile. He ended up leaning toward comedy in his tracks, which are some of the most fun of the group's output. 'I'd say, 'I've got this song.' And halfway through they'd all be laying on the floor laughing,' Starr recalled in the interview. 'Because I wasn't writing new songs. I was writing new words to old songs.' McCartney added, 'We'd say, 'Yeah, that's a great one. That's a great Bob Dylan song.'' The band released two songs written and sung by Starr, 'Octopus' Garden' and 'Don't Pass Me By.' He was credited as a co-writer on two more tracks, 'What Goes On' and 'Flying,' as well as the songs the full group is credited on like 'Maggie May' and 'Dig It.' Lennon was murdered in 1980 at age 40 and Harrison died from cancer in 2001 at age 58. The Beatles kicked off as a band in 1960 and broke up by the end of the decade in 1970. 'It's the most ludicrous and funny argument that, you know, you had these three talented singer-songwriters up front, and then you had the guy who got lucky,' Weinberg — a member of The E Street Band who was also Conan O'Brien's bandleader on Late Night — said. 'That was so far from the case, if you really go back and talk to people who were in that scene. To get Ringo in what became The Beatles was a coup for the three of them.' How the Only Surviving Members of The Beatles 'Grasp Onto' Their Unique Bond first appeared on Parade on Jul 2, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.


New York Post
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr reflect on ‘special' bond as only living members of The Beatles
They get by with a little help from each other. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are looking back on their decades-long friendship as the only surviving members of The Beatles. The duo reflected on their 'special' bond in a profile of Starr in The New York Times published on Wednesday, July 2. Advertisement 7 McCartney and Starr have been the last Beatles standing for nearly 25 years. AP 'With John and George not here, I think we realize nothing lasts forever,' McCartney, 83, said. 'So we grasp onto what we have now because we realize that it's very special.' The Beatles were active from 1960 until the four-piece rock band formed in Liverpool broke up in 1970. Advertisement McCartney and Starr, 84, were joined by John Lennon, who was shot and killed in 1980 at age 40, and George Harrison, who died from lung cancer in 2001 at age 58. 7 The Beatles were active from 1960 until they broke up in 1970. Bettmann Archive The pair have been the last Beatles standing for nearly 25 years. 'It's something hardly anyone else has. In fact, in our case, it's something no one else has,' McCartney continued. 'There's only me and Ringo, and we're the only people who can share those memories.' Advertisement In December 2024, McCartney and Starr reunited on stage for the first time in five years during the final night of McCartney's 'Got Back' tour. 7 McCartney and Starr reunited on stage for the first time in five years in December 2024. REUTERS Starr joined McCartney at London's O2 arena to perform Beatles hits 'Helter Skelter' and 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.' 'Should we rock? Get on your kit,' McCartney said as Starr appeared. Advertisement At the end of the show, Starr said, 'It's fantastic, playing with me old mate, but there comes a time when we've got to go home. All that remains to be said… I've had a great night, and I love you all.' 7 McCartney and Starr released 'Now and Then' in 2023. Getty Images McCartney told The New York Times that even though 'Helter Skelter' is an 'out-and-out rocker,' he found himself getting 'a little bit emotional.' In 2023, McCartney and Starr released 'Now and Then,' billed as 'the last Beatles song.' Originally written and recorded by the late John Lennon before his death, the track was completed with the help of AI, which was used to refine the 'Imagine' singer's vocals. 7 'Now and Then' earned the band a Grammy for Best Rock Performance at the 2025 awards. Getty Images The final version earned the band a Grammy for Best Rock Performance and a nomination for Record of the Year at the 2025 awards. Starr also recently admitted that McCartney was the reason the 'Twist and Shout' band released so much music. Advertisement 'Because of Paul, who was the workaholic of our band, we made a lot more records than John and I would've made,' Starr told Dan Rather for AXS TV. 'We liked to sit around a little more and then Paul would call, 'All right lads,' and we'd go in.' 7 The Beatles are set to get the silver screen biopic treatment. AFP/Getty Images The Beatles are the latest musical act set to get the silver screen biopic treatment — in four separate films. Directed by Sam Mendes ('1917' and 'Skyfall'), each installment, together titled 'The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event,' will focus on one member of the iconic group. Advertisement The cast of the biopic series was announced at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. 7 Harris Dickinson, Paul Mescal, Barry Keoghan and Joseph Quinn will portray the iconic British rock band in the upcoming biopic series. Ilaria Urbinati / Instagram Paul Mescal will play Paul McCartney, Barry Keoghan will play Ringo Starr, Harris Dickinson will play John Lennon and Joseph Quinn will play George Harrison. All four movies are set to hit theaters in April 2028.


Irish Daily Mirror
25-06-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Charles Manson's final words in chilling interview before his agonising death
Charles Manson, the notorious killer and cult leader who cast a shadow over California's history, could only ever leave prison in one way after being handed nine life sentences - and that was in a coffin. The mastermind behind the chilling 1969 murders of Sharon Tate and eight others in Los Angeles passed away in 2017 at the age of 83 from colon cancer. Nearly half a century had elapsed since Manson orchestrated the infamous killings when he died. His followers, known as the 'Manson Family', carried out the brutal acts across four locations in July and August 1969, following his orders. Manson and several members of his cult were apprehended and indicted in December that year. The slayings that shook the hills of L.A. were part of Manson's twisted plan to ignite a racial conflict he dubbed "Helter Skelter." He envisaged this apocalyptic event would result in the Manson Family emerging victorious, enabling them to create a stronghold of power, reports the Mirror US. The country was gripped by a mix of intrigue and horror throughout the nine-month trial that followed. Although Manson was initially sentenced to death in 1971 for his role in orchestrating the savage crimes, his sentence was reduced to life imprisonment when California repealed capital punishment in 1972. The declaration sealed Manson's fate, ensuring he would spend the bulk of his existence locked away, and although his life was extended, the notorious cult leader was never to experience freedom again. He faced parole rejection a staggering twelve times throughout his incarceration. People Magazine reported that at the time of Manson's death, his last words were shrouded in mystery. The LA Times noted that Manson had been "seriously ill" in the lead-up to his demise. In November 2017, he was hospitalised due to gastrointestinal bleeding linked to his colon but was considered too frail for surgery, according to the New York Times. Subsequently, he was returned to Corcoran State Prison in Bakersfield, California. Later in the year, TMZ reported that Manson was readmitted to the hospital in critical condition and would not make it back to prison. His death occurred just two days after news of his hospitalisation broke. Manson's death certificate revealed his health status at the time of death and the cause. Manson's final battle was with metastatic colon cancer. Respiratory failure and cardiac arrest were the ultimate causes of his passing. Manson's life came to an end on November 19, 2017, at 8.13 pm PT. Throughout his time in prison, Manson accumulated over 100 infractions, including threats to prison staff, weapon possession, and assault. Charles Manson's final words remain a mystery, but he engaged in several interviews with author and TV producer James Buddy Day during the last year of his life. Day, who would go on to pen the 2019 publication 'Hippie Cult Leader: The Last Words of Charles Manson', is credited as the last individual to extensively interview Manson, as highlighted by TIME. Manson consistently proclaimed his innocence regarding the infamous murders right up to his passing, Day remarked. In his ultimate recorded conversation with Day, Manson asserted over the phone: "I didn't have nothing to do with killing those people. They knew I didn't have anything to do with it."


New York Post
02-06-2025
- New York Post
Manson family killer Patricia Krenwinkel recommended for parole 56 years after infamous murders
One of Charles Manson's accomplices has been recommended for parole after serving decades in prison for her role in the 1969 murders of pregnant actress Sharon Tate and six others in California. A state parole board has again recommended the release of Patricia Krenwinkel, who is the longest-serving female inmate in the state. Advertisement At 77, Krenwinkel is still serving a life sentence at the California Institution for Women for her role in one of America's most notorious killing sprees. She was convicted on seven counts of first-degree murder in 1971. 4 A state parole board has again recommended the release of Patricia Krenwinkel. AP Krenwinkel was just 19 years old when she abandoned her life as a secretary in California to follow Charles Manson, the charismatic cult leader who has since transformed into one of history's darkest and most mysterious figures. Advertisement Drawn in by promises of love and spiritual enlightenment, Krenwinkel instead became a key figure in one of the most infamous crimes in American history. Krenwinkel personally stabbed heiress Abigail Folger multiple times and then participated in the murders of grocery store owners Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, writing 'Helter Skelter' and other phrases on the walls in the victims' blood. Convicted of seven counts of first-degree murder, Krenwinkel was originally sentenced to death. 4 Krenwinkel is the longest-serving female inmate in California. AP Advertisement But in 1972, her sentence was commuted to life in prison after California briefly abolished the death penalty. She has been incarcerated ever since. Over the years, Krenwinkel has expressed remorse and described years of psychological abuse at Manson's hands. She has stated she was under the influence of drugs and fear throughout her time in the cult. Nonetheless, her parole efforts have been repeatedly denied, with authorities citing the severity of her crimes. Advertisement In May 2022, Krenwinkel was recommended for parole for the first time, but the decision was reversed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Her most recent recommendation in 2024 now awaits approval, reigniting debate over justice, rehabilitation, and the enduring legacy of the Manson Family. 4 Charles Mason died in prison in 2017 at the age of 83. The recommendation came on Friday and must still pass several hurdles before being confirmed. It requires final approval from the full Board of Parole Hearings and California Governor Gavin Newsom, who denied a similar parole recommendation in 2022. That review process can take up to 150 days. According to state prison officials, she had previously been denied parole 14 times. Charles Mason died in prison in 2017 at the age of 83. Manson, whose name to this day is synonymous with unspeakable violence and madness, died of natural causes at Kern County hospital, according to a California Department of Corrections statement. Advertisement Manson — who exerted a form of mind control over his mainly female followers — had been in prison for four decades. In the 1960s, he surrounded himself with runaways and disaffected youths and then sent them out to butcher members of Hollywood's elite. 4 Over the years, Krenwinkel has expressed remorse and described years of psychological abuse at Manson's hands. Bettmann Archive Prosecutors said Manson and his followers were trying to incite a race war he dubbed Helter Skelter, taken from the Beatles song of the same name. The Polanski house in Beverly Hills was targeted because it represented Manson's rejection by the celebrity world and society, according to one of the Family member's statements. Advertisement Manson considered himself the harbinger of doom regarding the planet's future. He was influenced not only by drugs such as LSD, but by art works and music of the time such as The Beatles song, Helter Skelter, from their White Album. He often spoke to members of his 'Family' about Helter Skelter, which he believed signified an impending apocalyptic race war. Advertisement He preached that the black man would rise up and start killing members of the white establishment, turning the cities into an inferno of racial revenge. Manson also had a strong belief in the notion of Armageddon from the Book of Revelations and looked into obscure cult churches such as the Church of the Final Judgement. His life continues to be a point of interest several decades after his macabre dealings in 1960s California.


NBC News
01-06-2025
- NBC News
Former Charles Manson follower is recommended for parole
A California state parole board recommended parole for Patricia Krenwinkel, a follower of the cult leader Charles Manson, on Friday for the second time. The decision will now have to be approved by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who denied Krenwinkel's first parole recommendation. The governor's review process can take up to 150 days following a parole hearing. The 77-year-old is serving a life sentence in the California Institution for Women for her role in the killings of pregnant actor Sharon Tate and four others in August 1969, as well as grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary, the following night in what prosecutors have called Manson's attempt to start a race war. Krenwinkel was recommended for parole for the first time in May 2022, but Newsom denied clemency five months later, according to Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation inmate records. She was previously denied parole 14 times before then. Krenwinkel was 19 and working as a secretary when she met a 33-year-old Manson at a party, leaving her life behind to follow him because she believed they could have a romantic relationship, she said in 2016 testimony. Instead, she was abused by Manson and tried to flee, but was brought back each time and was often under the influence of drugs. Krenwinkel admitted to stabbing an heiress to a coffee fortune, Abigail Folger, multiple times on the night of Aug. 9, 1969, as well as participating in the killings of the LaBiancas the following night. During the LaBianca murders, she infamously wrote 'Helter Skelter' and other phrases on the wall in her victims' blood. She, along with other participants including Manson, were convicted and sentenced to death. However, their sentences were commuted to life with the possibility parole in 1972, after the death penalty was briefly ruled unconstitutional in California. Krenwinkel is now the state's longest-serving inmate. The California governor's office and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation did not immediately respond to NBC News' requests for comment.