John Lennon’s life had calmed down a lot by the time of his tragic murder in December 1980. He was 40 years old, and though he had famously spent 18 months of the early ’70s in a drug and alcohol-fuelled “lost weekend,” by the time of his death he was relatively sober, though he claimed in a Playboy interview to still trip occasionally with hallucinogens such as psilocybin mushrooms and peyote. Harrison also continued to take drugs, particularly cocaine, in middle age, which affected his personal relationships.

Ringo Starr’s use of drugs also went beyond the creative experimentation the band claimed it offered them in the mid to late ’60s. He has been open about his heavy use of cocaine, which peaked for the drummer in the 1970s, alongside a drinking habit that saw him consume multiple bottles of wine a day. However, he has now been sober for more than 30 years, with outlets such as the New Zealand Herald praising Starr for his youthful looks as he enters his ninth decade despite his famously hard-partying youth.

One might assume that Paul McCartney, whose longevity is arguably even more miraculous than that of Starr what with his near-constant writing, recording, touring, and countless side projects, might have kicked drugs a long time ago. However, the “Hey Jude” singer shocked many of his fans in 2023, when at the age of 80 he was spotted smoking what looks suspiciously like an enormous joint, a clip of which you can view above.

If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).