“Ultimately what’s most impressive about Ringo Starr isn’t what he’s been, but rather who he is,” wrote Rolling Stone rock critic David Wild. “The man’s great heart and soul, his wit and wisdom.” Ironically, the story of Ringo’s evolution from former Beatle to successful solo artist is still best told from the beginning.
Ringo’s passion for creating music continued to propel him forward, and in 1971 he began his unprecedented run as the first solo Beatle to score 7 consecutive Top 10 singles starting with the release of It Don’t Come Easy, with a B side of Early 1970. His second hit single, Back Off Boogaloo/Blindman followed in 1972, and was written with and inspired by T Rex frontman Marc Bolan. Then, in 1973, Ringo released his self titled smash hit Ringo, which yielded 3 Top 10 singles, including the number one hits, Photograph/Down and Out, and You’re Sixteen/Devil Woman. Ringo also marked the first time since the breakup that all the Beatles participated in the same project, though not at the same time.
The 90’s saw Starr release some of the best records of his career, and he also found consistent success as a live act with his revolving All Starr Band. The concept for the All Starr Band was first presented in 1989. “I got a message from a guy named David Fishof asking if I’d be interested in putting a band together. I had been thinking the same thing and so I went through my phone book rang up a few friends and asked them if they’d like to have fun in the summer” Those friends included Eagle Joe Walsh; E-Streeters Clarence Clemmons and Nils Lofgren; former Band members Rick Danko and Levon Helm; Dr. John, Billy Preston and Jim Keltner.
The tour met with great success and yielded Ringo’s first live album, released on Rykodisc in 1990 titled simply, Ringo and His All Starr Band. “I’ve said this over and over again, but I love being in a band”, says Ringo.
2003’s 8th All Starr Band hit the road with Paul Carrack, Sheila E., Colin Hay, Mark Rivera, John Waite. This tour resulted in another live CD, Tour 2003 (Koch), and a soon to be released DVD.
To date Ringo has released 23 solo records, which includes 14 studio albums, and continues to tour regularly with his All Starr Band. Ringo’s music, as a solo artist and as a Beatle, is permeated with his personality – his warmth and humor, his exceptional musicianship – have given us songs we all know and love: With A Little Help From My Friends; Don’t Pass Me By; Octopus’ Garden; Photograph; It Don’t Come Easy; Don’t Go Where the Road Don’t Go; La De Da; Memphis in Your Mind; Never Without You. Fans will be happy to know that Ringo is currently back in the studio with The Roundheads, and they can expect a new record and another All Starr Tour in 2005.