Ringo Peace and Love

Yesterday Ringo Starr turned 77 years old. The man is still touring with his All Star Band and is about to release another album. THe man is the proverbial Energizer Bunny.
Ringo had requested that on his birthday, July 7th, at noon, everyone was to tell others “Peace and Love.” I posted a picture of me giving the Peace sign on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter along with the “Peace and Love.”

A Little over a year ago, Ash and I saw the All Star Band at the Tulsa Joint. They puts on a great show. Ringo was in great form and plays the crowd really well. There was a lot of sing Help.a long in the song choices. His band is a collection of great musicians. It includes Steve Lukather of Toto, Gregg Rolie Of Santana and Journey, multi talented Todd Rundgren and Richard Page of MIster Mister.Ringo’s All Star band over the years has featured everyone from Joe Walsh, NIls Lofgren, Sheila E, Levon Helm, Billy Preston, etc., etc. Somehow, on his tours and on his albums, Ringo Starr is the nice guy of rock and roll who draws these people to him.

In 1963, Ringo, or Richard Starkey, replaced then Beatles drummer Pete Best before they started their recording career for EMI. Ringo had net and chummed with the Beatles in Hamburg when they were playing the Star Club. Ringo was there on tour as drummer for Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. When it was decided they needed a stronger drummer, Ringo was John Lennon’s first choice.

Ringo, the drummer with the big nose, made his way into notoriety with his comedic performances in both Beatles films, “A Hard Days Night” and “Help.” He gained other movie roles from those performances including “Candy,” “The Magic Christian” with Peter Sellers and after the break up, “Cavemen.”

Ringo released two albums the same year the Beatles broke up. The first was an LP of standards and the 2nd a country album Ringo had always been a country fan, even recording Buck Owens song “Act Naturally” on a Beatles LP and another country themed song, “Don’t Pass Me By” On the Beatles White Album. IN ‘732 he released his biggest LP, “RingO” that featured appearances by the other ex-Beatles. Ringo even released a song “early 1970” in which he stated he wanted to see all three Beatles together.

Ringo released a series of fairly well received LP’s but none reaching the status of "Ringo.” IN ‘82, an LP he recorded with Joe Walsh producing was not picked up by any US distribution and floundered in overseas markets. The companies thought it was subpar. Later, Ringo left sessions of a proposed country LP in Nashville. It wasn’t much longer till he entered a 90 day alcohol rehab program along with his actress wife, Barbara Bach. His increased alcohol use had been affecting his work. Ringo claimed to be missing years of himself.

A new sober Ringo Starr started the All Star Band In 1989 to tour for the first time since 1966. Different incarnations o the band have toured for nearly 28 years producing several live LPs. Meanwhile Ringo continued to record his solo work with such co-writers players and producers as Dave Stewart, Mark Hudson, Jeff Lynne of ELO, Don Was, Peter Asher, David Gilmour, DEric Clapton, Peter Frampton and more.
Ringo is also a spokesperson for a meditation organization formed by David LYnch. He was joined by Paul McCartney in the production.

So far, Ringo shows no evidence of slowing. It is now July, and the All Star Band is slated to hit the road in October.
As Ringo sang, “I think, therefore, I rock and roll.”
Apparently, it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy