Ringo Starr, 84, makes stance clear on solo venture as he addresses on-stage future
Ringo Starr has declared his preference for band life over solo performances, stating he “only wants to be in a band” as his new country album hits the shelves.
The 84-year-old former Beatles drummer made the candid admission while speaking about the release of his new country album Look Up.
“I only want to be in a band. I don’t want to be out on my own,” Starr revealed.
Referencing his past as a Beatle, he added: There’s no way you can go out there and do ‘Yesterday’ just on drums,” Starr said.
The 84-year-old was speaking to The Sunday Times about Look Up, which is the drummer’s first country album in over 50 years in the music industry.
The record marks a departure from his usual rock-pop style, with Starr revealing he had not initially planned to make a country album until producer T Bone Burnett sent him “a beautiful country track”.
In a revealing interview, Starr opened up about his longstanding concerns regarding his singing abilities.
“I always wanted to be someone else, like Jerry Lee or someone,” the drummer admitted.
He acknowledged his vocal limitations while highlighting the support he received during his Beatles days.
“I can hold a tune, as long as it’s in my key. And it just worked out with the Beatles because John and Paul were great writers,” he explained.
Starr credited the songwriting talents of his former bandmates, noting: “They wrote me a lot of really nice songs” including enduring hits like “With a Little Help from My Friends” and “Yellow Submarine”.
The new album ‘Look Up’ features collaborations with several notable artists, including Alison Krauss who appears on the single ‘Thankful’.
The new album ‘Look Up’ features collaborations with several notable artists, including Alison Krauss who appears on the single ‘Thankful’.
Legendary American producer and guitarist T Bone Burnett played a significant role in the project, co-writing nine of the record’s 11 songs.
“He sent me this beautiful country track, and that blows me away even today,” Starr said of Burnett’s initial involvement.
The drummer expressed his surprise at the country direction, adding: “I thought he’d be sending me a rock-pop sort of song, because you’re just in that world.”
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Starr is set to showcase his new country material with two headline shows at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.
Following the Nashville dates, Starr will continue touring with his All-Starr Band across the US in June.
When asked about his ongoing touring plans, Starr responded pragmatically: “What else am I going to do? The band sounds great. We have a fun time and we just do it.”
The drummer also made a surprise appearance alongside Paul McCartney’s during his final 2024 show, joining his former bandmate to perform several Beatles classics.
“I had a great time with my old mate. You know who I send you a peace and love Merry Christmas Ringo,” Starr wrote in an Instagram post showing he and McCartney on stage.