Jeff Caplan’s Minute of News: A new Lennon-McCartney

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SALT LAKE CITY — For anyone who’s ever gone into the family business, I know the tightrope you walk. You have to deal with your parents’ expectations every day and you have to prove that you’re your own person.

Among the people who walk that tightrope are two guys whose family business was: The Beatles. 

Sean Lennon and James McCartney are middle-aged now. For background, no matter which of their fathers wrote those legendary Beatles songs, the songwriting credit always went to “Lennon McCartney.” That was the ultimate badge of songwriting excellence. Like the nameplate “Mercedes” or the Louis Vuitton stamp on a handbag.

And now there’s a new Lennon-McCartney collaboration. The sons. James McCartney and Sean Lennon have co-written a song, sung by Paul McCartney’s son James. Give it a listen. Maybe you’ll hear a faint echo of the Beatles. Or maybe you’re just saying “meh.”

This Lennon and McCartney have taken some online heat for failing to carve their own paths in life. But another Beatle Baby — Ringo’s son Zach — is responding to the critics.

Zach Starkey has played drums with the Who and Oasis. He’s lived this, and says you have to make your own peace with your parents’ legacy,  you can’t go around it. You have to go through. And that’s this song from the other Lennon and McCartney.

Jeff Caplan is the host of Jeff Caplan’s Afternoon News on KSL NewsRadio. Follow him on Facebook and X. 

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