As groundbreaking because the Beatles little doubt had been, their discography unfolded in a remarkably small window of time. The group’s total recorded historical past unfolded over 12 albums between 1963 and 1970.
There was no motive to consider their solo careers that adopted can be any completely different. However the legends constructed throughout these eight years would offer a basis for many years (and many years) of music from Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. Even John Lennon and George Harrison, who each died far too quickly, produced albums over an extended time frame than the Beatles.
Lennon, felled by an murderer’s bullet, issued seven albums following the Beatles’ swansong Let It Be. Harrison launched 9 solo of his personal by way of 1987 earlier than dying of most cancers. Each had been the topic of posthumous releases, Lennon in 1984 with Milk and Honey and Harrison in 2002 with Brainwashed.
What is the Greatest Beatles Solo Album?
Erstwhile bandmates McCartney and Starr had accomplished some 30 mixed solo tasks by then – and so they had been simply getting began. In actual fact, each had been nonetheless releasing well-regarded new albums properly previous retirement age.
Going into the ’20s, McCartney was abruptly on the prime of the charts once more for the primary time since 1982’s Tug of Battle. Throughout the identical period, Starr made a critically praised return to the rootsy model of Beatles-era releases like “Do not Move Me By” and his early solo album, Beaucoups of Blues.
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Alongside the best way, every had their notable stumbles. With out the important thing enter of the opposite Beatles, they generally turned a caricature of their former selves or wandered into musical useless ends. Lennon and McCartney, early on, let their disagreements leak into the work. There have been instances when Harrison and Starr seemingly turned disinterested in their very own music.
However the excessive factors had been excessive, certainly. McCartney and Starr’s 2026 successes with The Boys of Dungeon Lane and Lengthy Lengthy Highway, respectively, had been echoes of the halcyon days of 1973, when each issued their most-heralded solo tasks. (McCartney, in actual fact, was so prolific at this level that he launched two albums in the identical calendar 12 months.)
The Beatles started their solo careers within the ’70s with a string of massive hit albums. (Apple / Capitol / Darkish Horse / Polydor)
As you will see within the following checklist of Beatles Solo Albums Ranked Worst to Greatest, all 4 of their careers included a stirring comeback – or two. There have been albums which have solely grown in estimation and others that also really feel like time-stamped baubles. However how do all of them stack up?
This checklist leaves apart Lennon’s preliminary forays in soundscapes, dwell tasks from all 4 and McCartney’s classical stuff. However, we included albums dedicated to cowl songs – be that old-time rock, the pre-war requirements or Yuletide choices – since they are often so illuminating. By that depend, we ended up with nearly 70 candidates. Hold scrolling as we rank Beatles Solo Albums Ranked Worst to Greatest.
Rating Each Beatles Solo Album
All 4 of their careers included a stirring comeback – or two.
Gallery Credit score: Nick DeRiso
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