Call me Ringo. That's what the former Beatles drummer says when asked if we should call him Sir. He joins us at the swanky Sunset Marquis hotel in West Hollywood where rock stars have gathered for decades in a luxury oasis behind the Sunset Strip. We're here to talk music – specifically Ringo Starr's new country album, Long Long Road.
But first we deal with the honorifics because although he was knighted in 2018 for his services to music, technically, he says, it's wrong to call him Sir Ringo because he's actually Sir Richard. Sir Richard laughs. He just wants to talk music, and he's not worried about formalities or titles. His new album is more Nashville than Los Angeles and he seems more LA than Liverpool as he encourages an American interviewing a British national treasure for the BBC to just relax.
Peace and love, he says, a soothing catchphrase often used by the 85-year-old music legend who looks, moves and sings like a much younger man. I've always loved the attitude of LA, he says, adding that he's had a home here since the 1970s. Besides, I love the heat and the light, it's just been a good place for me.
On his new country album, Starr collaborates with the likes of Sheryl Crow, Billy Strings and St Vincent. And he says that's the way he likes it. He never plays music alone, not even to practice. That's how I did it. I made all my mistakes on stage, he says. Before joining The Beatles, he says he was practicing drums alone as a kid, and the neighbors complained, yelling at him to shut up. I think that's what did it, he says laughing, adding that he tells all his grandchildren to stop practicing music alone and to get together and join a band.
Country music now is very cool, of course. Even Beyoncé's making country music. Her album Cowboy Carter won the top prize at the Grammys last year, rare for country music. She made a great album, Starr says, whose love for the genre goes way back. He fondly recalls Liverpool as the capital of country music in England, noting that merchant navy workers brought records from around the world, including plenty of country music from Texas.
With a rich history in songwriting, Starr only wrote two songs when he was with The Beatles: the country-style Don't Pass Me By and Octopus's Garden. He shares anecdotes from his growth as a songwriter, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in music over solitary practice. Starr's journey in music has not only defined a legendary career but also reflects the vibrant culture and spirit of collaboration that fuels creativity.
But first we deal with the honorifics because although he was knighted in 2018 for his services to music, technically, he says, it's wrong to call him Sir Ringo because he's actually Sir Richard. Sir Richard laughs. He just wants to talk music, and he's not worried about formalities or titles. His new album is more Nashville than Los Angeles and he seems more LA than Liverpool as he encourages an American interviewing a British national treasure for the BBC to just relax.
Peace and love, he says, a soothing catchphrase often used by the 85-year-old music legend who looks, moves and sings like a much younger man. I've always loved the attitude of LA, he says, adding that he's had a home here since the 1970s. Besides, I love the heat and the light, it's just been a good place for me.
On his new country album, Starr collaborates with the likes of Sheryl Crow, Billy Strings and St Vincent. And he says that's the way he likes it. He never plays music alone, not even to practice. That's how I did it. I made all my mistakes on stage, he says. Before joining The Beatles, he says he was practicing drums alone as a kid, and the neighbors complained, yelling at him to shut up. I think that's what did it, he says laughing, adding that he tells all his grandchildren to stop practicing music alone and to get together and join a band.
Country music now is very cool, of course. Even Beyoncé's making country music. Her album Cowboy Carter won the top prize at the Grammys last year, rare for country music. She made a great album, Starr says, whose love for the genre goes way back. He fondly recalls Liverpool as the capital of country music in England, noting that merchant navy workers brought records from around the world, including plenty of country music from Texas.
With a rich history in songwriting, Starr only wrote two songs when he was with The Beatles: the country-style Don't Pass Me By and Octopus's Garden. He shares anecdotes from his growth as a songwriter, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in music over solitary practice. Starr's journey in music has not only defined a legendary career but also reflects the vibrant culture and spirit of collaboration that fuels creativity.
