Paul McCartney brought his “Got Back” tour to an unforgettable close with a heartwarming surprise, reuniting with fellow Beatles legend Ringo Starr during his final show at London’s O2 Arena on Friday night.
The iconic drummer joined McCartney on stage, delighting fans with a nostalgic and electrifying performance.
In a video shared on social media, McCartney introduced Starr to the cheering crowd. The duo embraced as Starr beamed, “I want to tell you, I’ve had a great night tonight.” McCartney then asked, “Shall we rock?”—setting the stage for renditions of Beatles classics “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “Helter Skelter.”
Starr Reflects on Beatles Days
Starr, who joined the Beatles after witnessing their early gigs in Germany, has often spoken about his transformative time in the band. In a candid interview with AARP The Magazine, he shared, “We all went mad at different times. You can’t imagine what it was like being in the Beatles. It got bigger and crazier.”
He reminisced about their first big break with the release of “Love Me Do.” “My God, there’s nothing bigger than that, our first vinyl,” he recalled. “We found out the BBC was going to play it, and we pulled the car over. ‘Wow! We’re on the radio, man!'”
A Lasting Bond Between Two Legends
The Beatles’ journey, from playing small clubs to becoming global icons, forged an unbreakable bond among the four members. While John Lennon and George Harrison have tragically passed—Lennon in 1980 and Harrison in 2001—McCartney and Starr have maintained a close connection.
“Paul loves me as much as I love him,” Starr once said. “He’s the brother I never had. As an only child, suddenly I got three brothers.”
During his Beatles years, Starr lent his unique voice to beloved tracks like “Yellow Submarine,” “With a Little Help from My Friends,” and “Octopus’s Garden.” Despite joking that his bandmates “ruined” his rock-drumming career by writing songs for him, Starr’s contributions remain a vital part of the Beatles’ legacy.
The reunion at the O2 Arena served as a poignant reminder of the enduring magic of the Fab Four, leaving fans with memories to cherish forever.