HARRY NILSSON, RINGO STARR, ELTON JOHN, PAUL McCARTNEY, LINDA McCARTNEY and JOE ENGLISH outside a restaurant in Mayfair, London. 1975. Photos taken by TERRY O’NEILL.

Title: A Night in Mayfair: When Rock Royalty Ruled the Streets of London

In the spring of 1975, a quiet corner of Mayfair, London transformed into the epicenter of rock ‘n’ roll history. Outside a discreet, upscale restaurant, an extraordinary constellation of music legends gathered: Harry Nilsson, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, and Wings drummer Joe English. The moment was immortalized by the legendary photographer Terry O’Neill, whose lens captured not just famous faces—but the essence of an era when music, friendship, and rebellion collided.

This wasn’t a press event or a red carpet appearance. It was an organic gathering of friends, bound by shared fame and deeper bonds behind the scenes. These were artists who had shaped the soundtrack of a generation—now simply enjoying a night out, dressed in velvet jackets, denim, and casual glam, effortlessly cool without trying.

Ringo Starr and Harry Nilsson, both known for their mischievous humor and deep camaraderie, stood close, grinning like schoolboys. Nilsson, the enigmatic American singer-songwriter with a voice that could move mountains, was a notorious companion of Ringo during his post-Beatles wild years. Their escapades—equal parts legendary and chaotic—were a blend of brilliance and mayhem.

Elton John, at the peak of his 1970s stardom, added a splash of flamboyance to the scene. Just months after releasing Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, he was both a chart-topping juggernaut and a beloved friend within the Beatles’ extended circle.

Then there were the McCartneys. Paul, relaxed and effortlessly magnetic, was still basking in the global success of Wings. Linda, by his side as always, radiated warmth and authenticity, her camera never far from her side. Together, they were the picture of creative partnership and grounded fame—counterpoints to the rock excesses around them.

Joe English, Wings’ drummer at the time, was the youngest of the group, but his presence among these giants spoke to the musical brotherhood that had grown around McCartney’s post-Beatles projects.

Terry O’Neill’s photographs from that night are more than just celebrity snapshots. They’re time capsules—moments frozen at the intersection of fame and friendship. There’s no paparazzi chaos in the frames, just a quiet sense of joy, mischief, and kinship. The grainy texture and natural poses give the photos a candid intimacy rare in today’s manicured world of celebrity.

What makes this scene so iconic isn’t just who was there—but when. 1975 was a transitional year: the Beatles were firmly in the past, punk was still a whisper, and rock was reinventing itself. Yet here, on a London sidewalk, were some of its greatest architects, enjoying the simple thrill of good company and conversation.

That night in Mayfair wasn’t just a dinner. It was a moment when legends walked among us—laughing, posing, reminiscing—unaware they were giving the world one of its most treasured rock and roll photographs.