The Beatles Used AI to Recreate John Lennon's Voice? Ringo Starr Blasts Baseless Rumors

The Beatles Used AI to Recreate John Lennon's Voice? Ringo Starr Blasts Baseless Rumors
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Ringo Starr commented on the rumors that they used AI to recreate John Lennon's voice in The Beatles' new track.

Decades after Lennon's death, Starr and Paul McCartney formally released the last song they had with the late member. The track also featured George Harrison, who died from lung cancer on November 29, 2001.

Did The Beatles Use AI To Recreate John Lennon's Voice?

On November 2, The Beatles released "Now And Then" after working on it for years. Starr and McCartney collaborated with "The Beatles: Get Back" documentary director Peter Jackson and his sound team to produce Lennon's recording using WingNut Films' MAL audio technology.

"There it was, John's voice, crystal clear. It's quite emotional," McCartney said. "And we all play on it, it's a genuine Beatles recording. In 2023 to still be working on Beatles music, and about to release a new song the public haven't heard, I think it's an exciting thing."

Despite the repeated declaration that it was Lennon's original recording, rumors that his vocals on the track were AI-generated emerged.

Starr shared his thoughts in the December 2023/January 2024 cover story for AARP and called the rumors "terrible" since they used an archival recording of their late member instead of the claims.

According to Starr, he and McCartney would not have done it if it was only AI.

He added that they worked on it and decided to finish the track in honor of the late members.

"Last year, Paul called and said, 'You remember that unfinished song of John's, "Now and Then?" Why don't we work on that?' He sent it to me, and I played the drums and sang," he continued. "We had a great track of John singing and playing piano and George playing rhythm guitar."

He expressed how happy he was for the "beautiful song" and how they scored a nice way to close the door.

The Beatles To Release New Song

Following the release of the track, Jackson said there would be more The Beatles songs for fans to listen to.

"It did cross my mind!" he explained. "We can take a performance from Get Back, separate John and George, and then have Paul and Ringo add a chorus or harmonies. You might end up with a decent song, but I haven't had conversations with Paul about that. It's fanboy stuff, but certainly conceivable."

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