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Here come the sons: Will Beatles' kids form own band?

From left: Zak Starkey, Dhani Harrison, James McCartney, Sean Lennon.
From left: Zak Starkey, Dhani Harrison, James McCartney, Sean Lennon.Getty Images

UPDATED 7:10 a.m. ET: James McCartney has clarified some of the statements he made to the BBC on his Facebook page, noting: "Well, looks like quite some attention being given to my BBC interview! Honestly, I was just thinking out loud about playing with Beatles family friends, nothing more. My band’s going to be on tour in the UK and US for most of this year, and the shows are going great! I'm so grateful.... Lots of love to you all...!"

Original story:

Sgt. Pepper may have recruited new members to the Lonely Hearts Club Band. Four sons of the four Beatles may be looking to form a group of their own.

James McCartney has reached out to Sean Lennon, Dhani Harrison and Zak Starkey to create the next generation of The Beatles, the BBC reports. In an interview Monday, the 34-year-old musician, who’s released three EPs on his own, said embracing the legacy of the Fab Four has worked to his advantage so far, thus he wouldn’t be opposed to a reincarnation of the ensemble. But not all the sons may agree.

“I don't think it's something that Zak wants to do,” James remarked. “Maybe Jason [another of Ringo Starr's sons] would want to do it. I'd be up for it. Sean seemed to be into it, Dhani seemed to be into it. I'd be happy to do it.”

Zak Starkey has already had a respectable career, serving as drummer for The Who and Oasis. His younger brother Jason performs with a few bands on the indie circuit. Sean Lennon has found some success as a solo artist, and signed briefly to Capitol Records before launching his own label. He’s additionally done work as a film composer and social activist. And Dhani Harrison made his musical debut in 2001 on his father’s final release, “Brainwashed,” which he completed upon the death of his father George.

Dhani Harrison told The Guardian in 2003,  "I don't really plan to be a pop star; I just want to be able to make music without the whole My Dad thing hanging over me."

However, even McCartney realizes that the musical bar has been set awfully high.

“I then dreamt of being better than The Beatles,” he said. “I'm not sure if I can do that. If anything, I would love to be equal to The Beatles -- but even that's quite tough.”

Fans might concur.

New Yorker editor Ben Greenman tweeted, “Can we all agree that this is a bad idea?”

He also wondered why no headline writer had used the tag, "Here come the sons." Here you go, Ben.

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