Ringo Starr welcomed us to the iconic Sunset Marquis Hotel, a long-time retreat for rock legends tucked behind the Sunset Strip. The setting matched the mood—relaxed, informal, and focused on music.
The former The Beatles drummer, officially knighted as Richard Starkey, brushed aside formal titles with humor. “Call me Richard if you want,” he joked, before steering the conversation back to what matters most to him—his music.
At 85, Starr remains energetic and creative, promoting his new country album Long Long Road. The project marks a shift toward Nashville-inspired sounds, even as he continues to embrace his Los Angeles lifestyle. “I’ve always loved the attitude of LA,” he said, highlighting the city’s influence on his life since the 1970s.
The album features collaborations with artists like Sheryl Crow, Billy Strings and St. Vincent. Starr emphasized his preference for working with others, noting that he has never enjoyed making music alone.
“I made all my mistakes on stage,” he said, recalling his early days. Before global fame, he practised drums as a teenager in Liverpool, often to the annoyance of his neighbors. That experience shaped his belief in playing music collaboratively, a lesson he now passes on to younger generations.
The album was co-produced with T Bone Burnett, a longtime collaborator known for his deep ties to Nashville’s music scene. Their sessions brought together top musicians who “just drop in and play,” according to Starr.
His love for country music dates back to his youth in Liverpool, a port city where international records were widely available. He credits American blues artist Lightnin’ Hopkins as an early influence and even once considered moving to Texas to follow the genre more closely.
During his time with The Beatles, Starr wrote only a handful of songs, including “Don’t Pass Me By” and “Octopus’s Garden.” He admits his early songwriting efforts were met with laughter from bandmates like Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison. Over time, however, his confidence grew.
Today, his relationship with McCartney remains strong. The two recently collaborated on a track for McCartney’s upcoming album, further highlighting their enduring creative partnership.
As for live performances, Starr continues to tour, balancing singing and drumming duties with the help of longtime collaborator Gregg Bissonette. “I’m still the drummer,” he said with a smile.
Beyond music, Starr reflected on his legacy and ongoing cultural relevance. Director Sam Mendes is currently working on a series of films about The Beatles, with Barry Keoghan set to portray him. Starr described their meeting as casual, focused more on conversation than detailed character study.
Despite decades in the spotlight, Starr remains grounded. When asked about the upcoming films, he showed little concern about competition or reception. Instead, he offered a simple suggestion: watch all four movies together in one sitting.
“Put us all on,” he said. “That would be cool.”
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