Beatlemania 2026: The Solo War Between Paul and Ringo

For the first time in over a decade, the “Beatle Calendar” is double-booked. This year, we aren’t just getting a reissue or a lost demo. For the first time since 2012, we’re getting releases from both Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr in the same calendar year.At their ages (82 and 84 respectively), most icons are content to let their legacy collect dust and royalties. Neither man needs more money. But for the last two people standing from the eye of the 1964 hurricane, the “Solo War” is back on. It’s inspiring when two guys still have so much left to do that they can’t retire—even though they’re already fabulously wealthy, right?The ‘90 Percent’ Mystery: McCartney’s Nostalgic ReturnWhile Paul hasn’t dropped the final title or any of the songs likely to appear on his new release, the breadcrumbs are everywhere. Sir Paul has confirmed he is “90 percent complete” with his new solo effort—his first full studio work since the lo-fi, “lockdown” spirit of 2020’s McCartney III.The angle this time? Pure nostalgia. Paul has hinted that his new material is heavily influenced by “memories of things past,” a creative momentum fueled by his recent archival work on his book Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run book and his “Got Back” tour. Expect a return to the big, melodic “Macca” production that reminds us why he’s the most successful songwriter in history. He’s reportedly whittling down a list of 25 new songs, which suggests that his new New Year’s Resolution ‘to be a good boy’ doesn’t apply to the charts, where he’s clearly looking to beat Ringo to #1.”Nashville Ringo: The T Bone Burnett EdgeWhile Paul is playing with memory, Ringo is playing with “Country Cool.” After his critical success with 2025’s Look Up, Ringo isn’t slowing down. He has officially penciled in February or March 2026 for his new release—a direct continuation of his partnership with Americana mastermind T Bone Burnett.This isn’t just “Ringo playing drums”; it’s a full-throated immersion into the Nashville twang. The record will include a song by Ringo’s hero, the late Carl Perkins, bringing Ringo’s 2026 journey full circle back to the rockabilly roots he championed in ‘64. With Burnett’s organic and restrained production, Ringo is finding a late-career authenticity that has critics forecasting his best work since the 1970s.Where did Ringo get his work ethic? Partly from McCartney himself. As Ringo has said many times over the years, Paul was the sparkplug who kept the other three Beatles productive, even when John and Ringo wanted to relax. As he told Dan Rather in 2024: “Because of Paul, who was the workaholic of our band, we made a lot more records than John and I would’ve made. We liked to sit around a little more. And then Paul would call, ‘Alright lads,’ and we’d go in [to the studio].” The ‘Sinister’ History of a Friendly RivalryTo understand the stakes of 2026, you have to look back at the friction of 1970. The Beatles’ breakup was accelerated by a dispute over album release dates. When Paul wanted to drop his solo debut McCartney in April 1970, it clashed with the planned release of Let It Be and Ringo’s debut, Sentimental Journey. To try to fix things, Ringo was drafted as the “messenger” sent to Paul’s house to ask him to delay his solo disc—and Paul famously threw him out.Fortunately, decades later, the hostility is gone, replaced by “Peace and Love,” but the competitive fire remains. Paul still wants the #1 spot; Ringo still wants to prove he’s more than just “the drummer who got lucky.”The ‘Producer’ Face-Off: Watt vs. BurnettTo understand the muscle behind these two projects, just consider the two Beatle-Whisperers they’ve hired.* Paul’s Secret Weapon: Paul has been working extensively with Andrew Watt, the “it” producer who recently revived the Rolling Stones with Hackney Diamonds. Reportedly, Watt recently scrambled to buy some left-handed guitars before Paul arrived at his house for tea.* Ringo’s “Authenticity” Architect: Contrast Watt’s high-energy rock production with T Bone Burnett’s restrained Nashville style. Burnett isn’t trying to make Ringo sound modern; he’s trying to make him sound like the “Heartbreak Balladeer” he was on Beaucoups of Blues in 1970.Ringo will cover a “lesser-known” Carl Perkins song on the 2026 album, closing a 62-year musical loop—in 1964, Ringo sang Perkins’ “Honey Don’t” and “Matchbox.” By covering Perkins again in 2026, It’s not just a cover; it’s a tribute to the rockabilly roots that became part of the Beatles’ edge.The Final Verdict: Who Wins 2026?In the 1970s, the “Solo War” was fought with vinyl sales and radio airplay. In 2026, the battlefield is the Spotify “Discover” feed and the other streaming platforms.* McCartney has the advantage of the “Event Album”—the sweeping, nostalgic epic that ...