Starr represented a strong communal and self-made passionate masculinity that Best lacked. McCartney and Harrison were already comfortable with Lennon as an older leader, but Starr’s appearance jolted the band’s realization that their masculine standards were expanding even further. This appealed to McCartney’s penchant for a good public display and a solid passionate trait of individuality.

Starr reminded Lennon of himself, but Lennon’s leadership position was not threatened. Starr would not have joined if Lennon felt bullied. Also, Lennon saw that Starr preferred to play slow songs and Lennon was a harder-hitting rock and roll player, so there was no rivalry over who would become the domineering performer. Since Starr was older, Lennon and McCartney welcomed another member who did not intervene between them.