Recommendations of the editorial team
For the first time, three sons of the Beatles can be heard in one song: James McCartney (47), Sean Ono Lennon (49) and ZAK Starkey (59). The two sons by Paul McCartney (82) and John Lennon (1940–1980) are present as guests at the new track “Rip-Off” by ZAK Starkkeys band Mantra of the Cosmos. Shaun Ryder (62) from the Happy Mondays is also on board as a singer.
New single “rip-off” with all star cast
“Rip-off” is the result of the youngest generation of the Beatles-but does not want to be associated as a “reunion”. On Starkeys Instagram side, he shared a section of the song, accompanied by pictures of the band members and the Beatles. In a text it is emphasized that the song should not be understood as an echo of the past. This confirms Starkey’s statements in a recent interview with “The Telegraph”, in which he said: “No, it is not a Beatles song … It is Mantra of the Kosmos with them. It is Sean of the Cosmos and James of the Cosmos, it’s still my band.”
Mantra of the Cosmos was launched in 2023 by ZAK Starkey, son of the Beatles drummer Ringo Starr (84), who also played the drums for The Who and Oasis. Andy Bell (54), former Oasis bassist, is also in the band, like Mark Berry (61), also from the Happy Mondays. In 2024, James McCartney and Sean Lennon brought “Primrose Hill” out as a shared track. Look at the excerpt of the new song “Rip-Off”:
The careers of the Beatles sons
However, the careers of the Beatles sons could hardly have been more different. James McCartney initially received some musical lessons from his father, but appeared under a pseudonym for a few years to step out of his shadow. Since 2010, however, he has published new songs under his own name – some even in collaboration with Paul McCartney.
Sean Lennon lost his father at the age of five. Together with his mother Yoko Ono (92), he dealt with music early on. In 1998 he published his solo debut and has released numerous new albums since then, as well as working together, including Lana del Rey (39) in the song “Tomorrow Never Came” (2017).
Dhani Harrison is missing for the “full quartet”
In his part, Zak Starkey caused a stir as a drummer for The WHO, especially in the past few months when the famous band initially fired him, shortly afterwards, but then finally released him. Also because Oasis apparently left him for her comeback 2025, the new project is all the more important for him.
The only one who is still missing for the completely new Beatles quartet would be Dhani Harrison (46), George Harrison (1943–2001), also active as a musician. For example, he played guitar for James McCartney’s song “Too Hard” in 2016.