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Ringo Starr answers whether he's on the Rory Storm 1960 Jive Hive recordings

BY: STEVE MARINUCCI

SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Ringo Starr has answered whether he's on the recently surfaced live recordings by his pre-Beatles band Rory Storm and the Hurricanes recorded in 1960 and said he's not.

Since news of the Rory Storm and the Hurricanes CD recorded at the Jive Hive in 1960 first surfaced recently, there have been questions of whether Ringo Starr is actually on the CD, even though his picture is on the front cover. In comments from Starr sent through his publicist, the former Beatle says he's not on the recordings.

“It’s not me, that was done after I’d left to join the Beatles. I don’t know who the drummer was but I hope that Rory fans enjoy it anyway.”

But Ringo did mention a few songs he did record with Storm that he would love to hear again.

“The only two tracks I was on were recorded while we were in Germany in 1960, when we made a two track acetate, and for those of you in the digi world that is a-ce-tate, of “Mailman bring me no more blues,” a Buddy Holly song sang by Lou Walters and “Fever”, and I’d love to hear those tracks ‘cause I don’t have a copy.” The statement was signed “Peace & Love, Ringo.”

The CD will be released in England Sept. 17 and will now be available Sept. 25 in the U.S. through Amazon.com. Called “Live at the Jive Hive” on Rockstar Records, it features the band performing live in March, 1960. The cover photo shows Ringo Starr playing guitar and not on drums.

Starr has also previously said that a version of the “West Side Story” song “America” that collectors had thought had him on it also didn't include him.

“That seems to be it, then, really,” BBC Merseyside Radio host and Beatles author Spencer Leigh, who played some of the tracks on his show, told us after hearing Ringo's comments. “It's going to become a very controversial issue anyway.” Leigh said, though, it's great to have a full set by a Liverpool band from that time.

Additionally, according to a story by Storm's sister Iris on the Merseycats website, a full show of Storm and the Hurricanes recorded at the Cavern existed at one time, but all but the introduction by Bob Wooler was recorded over by her mother for a Cliff Richard radio show.

The cover of the Rory Storm and the Hurricanes disc "Live at the Jive Hive."

Credits: 

 

Rockstar Records