Is Ringo Starr's New Album His Last?

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Is Ringo Starr's New Album His Last?
Matthew Trzcinski
Showbiz Cheat Sheet
November 12, 2019

Ringo Starr became famous as part of The Beatles, but he’s a legendary artist in his own right. Recently, Ringo released What’s My Name, which stands as his twentieth studio album. The drummer stated that it may be his last. Here are the details behind what might be Ringo’s swan song.


Ringo Starr | Michael Putland/Getty Images

Ringo Starr’s new album looks back

What’s My Name is a fairly lean album – a stark contrast to long and demanding Beatles classics like the White Album and Yellow Submarine. Ringo recorded the album in a home studio, which he felt was better for him, his collaborators, and the sound of the music. The album also includes a stirring tribute to the magic of music called “Thank God for the Music.”

Over the course of its 34 minutes, the album manages to work in two nostalgic throwbacks to the Beatles. One is “I Want Money,” a cover of a Motown hit that was previously recorded by the Fab Four. The other is “Grow Old with Me,” which could be considered the final Beatles collaboration. The song is sung by Ringo, was written by John Lennon, includes instrumentation by Paul McCartney, and production by Jack Douglas which was intentionally reminiscent of George Harrison’s solo music.

Is it the final Ringo Starr album?

Ringo Starr in 1967 | John Pratt/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The album’s sense of nostalgia is fitting if this is really going to be the final Ringo album. Ringo told Joe Scarborough that he currently intends for What’s My Name to be his final album, though he would not be adverse to releasing new music. He told Scarborough that he would be more interested in releasing small EP in the future rather than full albums.

Ringo doesn’t feel the need to release more than three songs at a time. He thinks EPs are enough in the modern music landscape. The drummer is probably referring to the decreasing prominence of albums compared to singles. Scarborough was shocked by this admission. He recognized the Beatles helped make albums the quintessential canvases for rock bands at a time when the record industry was primarily driven by singles.

The finale of a legendary career

Ringo Starr wearing sunglasses | RB/Redferns

If this is Ringo’s last album, the drummer can hang up his hat knowing he gave the world an eclectic mix of music during his time as a solo artist.
Over the past 45 years, Ringo has produced albums in various genres, including pop, rock, country, soul, funk, and disco. Ringo also became the first and only former Beatle to release a Christmas album when he released I Wanna Be Santa Claus in 1999. He also deviated form the path his former bandmates took by releasing a children’s album tilted Scouse the Mouse.

In addition to his wide array of albums, Ringo can also take pride in his commercial accomplishments. In 1973, the drummer produced two number-one hit singles: “Photograph” and “You’re Sixteen.” Much like “Grow Old with Me,” “Photograph” and “You’re Sixteen” were Beatles reunions in some way. “Photograph” was co-written by George while “You’re Sixteen” includes instrumentation by Paul. Even if he never releases any music again, he can rest assured knowing he has a greater musical legacy than just about any other drummer.

ultimateclassicrock.com
RINGO STARR ANNOUNCES 2020 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
DAVE LIFTON
Ultimate Classic Rock
November 4, 2019


Scott Robert Ritchie

Ringo Starr is ready to go back out on the road with his All-Starr Band. They'll play 20 shows in 15 cities next year.

The group will stick to the East Coast for this leg of the tour, which begins on May 29 with two shows at the Casino Rama in Rama, Ontario -- the only non-U.S. dates on the tour -- and concludes on June 28 at the Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Fla.

Opening for three dates (July 9-11) will be the Americana group the Avett Brothers; former All-Starr Band member Edgar Winter will open the June 26 and June 28 shows. You can see all the dates below and get full ticketing information at Starr's website.

Starr is touring with the same lineup he's used since 2017 that includes Toto guitarist Steve Lukather, former Santana and Journey keyboardist and singer Gregg Rolie, Colin Hay (from Men at Work), Warren Ham, Gregg Bissonette and Hamish Stuart.

The former Beatles drummer just released his 20th solo album, What's My Name, last month. The record contains a cover of John Lennon's "Grow Old With Me" that includes Paul McCartney on bass and a string part arranged by producer Jack Douglas that references George Harrison's Beatles classic "Here Comes the Sun."

Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band Spring 2020 Tour 
May 29 -- Casino Rama, Rama, Ontario
May 30 -- Casino Rama, Rama, Ontario
June 2 -- Beacon Theater, New York, NY
June 3 -- Beacon Theater, New York, NY
June 5 -- Beacon Theater, New York, NY
June 9 -- Cross Insurance Center, Bangor, ME
June 10 -- Boch Center Wang Theatre, Boston, MA
June 11 -- Bank of NH Pavilion, Gilford, NH
June 13 -- Providence Performing Arts Center, Providence, RI
June 14 -- Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, NJ
June 16 -- Modell Lyric Theatre, Baltimore, MD
June 17 -- Modell Lyric Theatre, Baltimore, MD
June 19 -- Tanglewood, Lenox, MA
June 20 -- PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
June 21 -- Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, PA
June 23 -- Cobb Energy Centre, Atlanta, GA
June 24 -- Cobb Energy Centre, Atlanta, GA
June 26 -- St Augustine Amphitheatre, St Augustine, FL
June 27 -- Hard Rock Casino, Hollywood, FL
June 28 -- Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL

Ringo Starr
(Image credit: Scott Dudelson - Getty)