When The Beatles parted ways in 1970, it was a sad ending, but also the start of four wildly different, wildly brilliant solo journeys. From protest anthems to dreamy ballads and synth-driven adventures, each Beatle proved they still had something to say. These ten albums—one from each member and a few standouts—show how their post-Beatles careers weren’t just footnotes, but essential chapters in rock history.
George Harrison – All Things Must Pass
The quiet Beatle came out swinging with a triple album full of soul, spirituality, and slide guitar. “My Sweet Lord” was the hit, but the deep cuts—“Wah-Wah,” “Isn’t It a Pity,” “Beware of Darkness”—are where George’s songwriting soars. It was the first solo album to truly eclipse the shadow of The Beatles. Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound production made it massive, but it’s George’s vision that made it timeless.
John Lennon – Plastic Ono Band
Raw, brutal, and unfiltered, this was John with no safety net. Inspired by primal scream therapy, the album strips away the myth and leaves the man. “Mother,” “Working Class Hero,” and “God” weren’t made for easy listening—but they were made for truth. It’s a protest album against pain, and a masterpiece of emotional honesty.
Paul McCartney – RAM
Dismissed at the time but adored now, RAM is Paul being weird, playful, romantic, and quietly brilliant. “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” is a fever dream, “Too Many People” a sly jab at Lennon, and “The Back Seat of My Car” a mini-opera. With Linda McCartney by his side, Paul created something homemade yet huge, fragile yet fearless.
Ringo Starr – Ringo
Ringo’s 1973 album is pure joy, full of help from his friends. It’s the only solo album with contributions from all three other Beatles, and it shows. “Photograph” is a heartbreak classic, and “I’m the Greatest” is Lennon-penned fun. This isn’t just a novelty—it’s a genuinely great pop-rock record that proves Ringo’s charm isn’t just behind the kit.
John Lennon – Imagine
If Plastic Ono Band was Lennon’s therapy session, Imagine was the follow-up dream. The title track became an anthem, but there’s more: “Jealous Guy,” “How Do You Sleep?,” and “Gimme Some Truth” all show different sides of John—tender, biting, and urgent. It’s political and personal, idealistic and cynical, all wrapped in lush arrangements.
Paul McCartney & Wings – Band on the Run
Recorded under chaotic circumstances in Lagos, Nigeria, this album turned pressure into diamonds. From the title suite to “Jet” and “Let Me Roll It,” Paul proved he didn’t need the Beatles to create big, ambitious rock. It’s tight, inventive, and endlessly listenable—McCartney at his most confident and creatively free.
George Harrison – Living in the Material World
Overshadowed by its predecessor, this record is quieter but just as powerful. “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)” became a hit, but the whole album is a meditation on fame, faith, and inner conflict. George wasn’t chasing trends—he was seeking meaning, and this album captures that spiritual search beautifully.
Ringo Starr – Time Takes Time
Released in 1992, this is Ringo’s comeback, and it’s criminally underrated. Produced by Jeff Lynne and others, it’s slick but never soulless. “Weight of the World” and “Don’t Go Where the Road Don’t Go” show a matured Ringo, still full of heart and humor. It’s a reminder that Ringo always had more than charm—he had soul.
Paul McCartney – McCartney III
Released 50 years after his first solo album, McCartney III is a return to the DIY spirit. Recorded in lockdown, it’s full of loops, riffs, and quiet experimentation. “Find My Way” and “Deep Deep Feeling” show Paul’s still chasing curiosity over perfection. It’s not nostalgia—it’s a new chapter, still being written.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono – Double Fantasy
A collaboration that became a swan song, Double Fantasy is a conversation between partners. Lennon’s tracks like “(Just Like) Starting Over” and “Watching the Wheels” are reflective and warm, while Yoko’s contributions add edge and art. Released just weeks before Lennon’s death, it captures a man at peace, looking forward.
They may have gone separate ways, but the magic never left. These solo albums are proof that while The Beatles as a group ended, their individual stories only got louder, weirder, and—sometimes—just as wonderful.
