Paul McCartney Unloads on John Lennon; Blames Lennon for Beatles' Breakup

There are as many theories about what caused the Beatles to split up as there are stars in the sky. Now more than four decades after the fact, Paul McCartney is finally speaking candidly about the Beatles' breakup, and he's laying the blame squarely at the feet of band mate John Lennon.

Sir Paul made his remarks Thursday night, during a wide-ranging interview with British radio presenter Geoff Lloyd. McCartney recalled how, after recording the Let It Be album, he had pleaded with Lennon to reconsider his decision to dissolve the Fab Four.

"Basically me, George and Ringo said, 'Does this have to be final? Could we do a couple of gigs or can we think about this tomorrow?' But John was off with Yoko and he was saying 'No, no, it's great -- I feel a release,' and all that. So that was kind of final."

Many have held that John Lennon's infatuation with Yoko Ono was instrumental in the band's breakup, but this was the first time that McCartney has ever indicated that John alone was responsible.

Revealing as his words were, McCartney had quite another issue on his mind. It seems that while all four Beatles were made Members of the Order of the British Empire, only Paul McCartney has actually been knighted. According to NME, Paul thinks it's high time that Beatles drummer Ringo Starr received the same honor. When asked if he would take the matter up personally with the Queen, McCartney quipped, "The last time I went by she was out. Otherwise I would have popped in and said 'Look, love, Sir Richard Starkey.'"
So... Does Ringo deserve a knighthood? Starr, who is currently touring with his "All Starr" Band, may not be as gifted a musician as his band mates, but he was still an integral part of the band that changed popular music forever. Considering how many lesser Englishmen have been knighted, it doesn't seem like too much to ask.

---Ian Marks
    entertainment.gather.com