The Story goes along with the one from a few days ago that I shared about the fans that got to be extras on the Ringo TV Special. This time some of the same fans were invited to a special party in LA where they were able to watch a preview of the special and meet Ringo.
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The author of this story, Pattie, with her friend, Sil. |
Ringo’s L.A. Press Party
By Pattie O’Neil
With a Little Help From My Friends
April 1978
It all happened on Monday, April 17 (1978), the official
release date of his album. Sponsored by
his newly acquired Portrait people, and held in one of the exclusive rooms at
the Beverly Hills Hotel, it turned out to be just the unique opportunity.
“Ringo Bad Boy Starr requests your presence…” That’s an invitation a lot of people would
like to receive. I can still only
imagine it all over again, what just such an evening would be like…” for
cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, time 6:30, R.S.V.P….”
The host arrived on time and spent the early evening hours
with his company, spending time talking and greeting everyone, and to be sure, he was definitely “the host superb.” I
had been a subject of anxious anticipation, wondering if the outcome would be
one of a quick appearance, an enormous crowd, or if perhaps there would even be
an opportunity to talk to him. I was far
beyond relief. To say the least. We never had the thought that our Starr
would give his guests such a personal, gracious treatment.
My friend, Karen was my accomplice, and I owe her my thanks
in the biggest way. She was able to
receive an invitation through her position at Tower Records, and her dealings
with the promotional people connected with her job as a buyer for the store’s
huge tape department. I simply came along
as her guest. As a result, along with
getting a preview of his TV special and seeing him honored by the general
manager of Portrait with a gift and his praise, Karen and I had the special
chance to watch and participate in the friendly personality and warm wit of one
very charming and handsome host.
At the door, we were greeted by a friendly hostess and a
stern bored looking security guard, standing at one side of the entrance to
make sure all arrivals were welcomed. We
were checked off a list and given a badge saying “OGNIR RRATS.” Once past the reception table, the atmosphere
changed and the anticipation was satisfied.
The room seemed somewhat full, but never the quantity of people I would
have expected, and Ringo was just there casually talking to a group standing
around him. The feelings was
friendly. Unfortunately, my only regret
was realizing through the party that a few friends were left behind and stood
in the hotel lobby without invitations.
Kris, my closest friend was among them.
I regret that she wasn’t able to share the incredible encounter with me.
Only a few steps brought us closer to Ringo, who stood
shifting his attentions and conversation from one to another of the people
loosely gathered around him. Easy to
observe, those executive and media guests were just as delighted to meet Ringo
as ever. He was flanked by one
photographer who shuffled busily around taking flash after flash, recording all
of the introductions and meetings of the guests. Face after handshake, Ringo turned to pose
for the camera with every guest he greeted.
He wore a black velvet jacket and white high-collared dress shirt, but
somehow, he always gets away with looking great by underplaying the bottom half
with jeans. Another accessory, his dark
glasses. I heard him explain to guest
that the dark glasses were a necessary combat against the constant persistence
of his photographer’s high powered strobe unit.
After watching him for a short time, I understood the reasonings there;
but he continued, seeming not to be bothered – his attention and antics were
all focused on his company.
Before long, Karen started looking around for the man who
was responsible for getting her invited, and we soon found him at the far side
of the room. He asked us if we had our
pictures taken with Ringo yet. Upon
reply he took it upon himself to lead us over to him for introductions. When it came to the moment, the poor man drew
a blank and forgot Karen’s name, ironically, a name he knew well! I would expect that he was a bit embarrassed,
but I couldn’t help realizing the effect Ringo can have on people, and the
result of it causing his loss of words.
Karen spoke to Ringo and he reacted warmly, and when he turned to me,
Karen had reminded our introductory of my name as well. Ringo extended to me his warm handshake and a
sincere smile. It was a reaction, I’m
sure, to my own beaming and a wink that was spontaneous. I wasn’t aware of the photographer at first
but apparently, several photos were taken; when I heard someone say, “Just with
the girls” and the camera kept on until Ringo teasingly said, “With these two
... FLASH. he’s going mad …FLASH … we’ll go on all night…FLASH.” It was a delight. I couldn’t help thinking he recognized me
from the taping of the special or other times, and he did have a
recollection. Karen told him later on
the evening that we were his rooting section during the concert taping from the
special and he immediately reacted by telling us where we sat… “on my right
side…so how come they let you in here?”
I must say, he takes us very well.
The party was still very young after our introductions with
Ringo and so we soon felt like taking our potions at a nearby table, by way of
the bar. We couldn’t have been in a
better place, joining one young man at an otherwise empty table. Ringo continued favoring his subjects only a
few yards away as he was very gradually edging his way in the direction of our
table. Karen jokingly suggested that
since there was the space, we might as well invite him to sit with us. For what seemed like forever, we watched his
antics, and his expressions he exchanged.
He teased shy laughs out of a younger guest, repeatedly accepted
people’s comments on his appearance on Mike Douglas aired that same afternoon,
and jived dancing in place now and then to the music coming from the back room
system, playing other Portrait artists’ records. You would have really been fooled if he
wasn’t enjoying himself. Eventually, or
finally, he was standing at our table.
Just then I saw about familiar face – Sil Perrone was also in front of
me! After I’m sure, a deceptive
entrance into the party, she mingled int the right direction. “Where is he?” One more step and she would have stood on his
foot!
As it all progressed, Ringo found himself at another side of
the room and his table where Keith Allison and, of course, Hilary were among
his own personal entourage. He stood
nearby while the scattered greetings continued.
Eventually, everyone’s attention was asked from the small stage and
Portrait’s General Manager was announced.
(I had noticed a fabulous neo sign sitting to one side of the stage
saying simply RINGO, the I dotted with a star).
“This is a first time for Portrait; Ringo, would you come back up
here.” As he continued to say, “on
behalf of our gratitude, etc... And we would like to present…etc.” Ringo muttered, “Not another pillow.” And from behind stage, Ringo as handed
peculiar-looking…that’s right. Pillow.
Made of black satin, half-circle shaped, it had red embroidery on either
side, one saying “Portrait,” the other “Ringo.”
IT was somewhat explained that its function was to fit the inside of his
bass drum as a muffler, but Ringo seemed a bit puzzled about it. It created a bit of comedy as he said, “What
can I say?” pause “I mean…what CAN I
say?” He shifted it around in his hands,
tried putting his head on it, and said…” You shouldn’t have gone to such an
expense.” The room filled with
laughter. Next, we were prepared for the
treat of seeing the preview of the special.
Ringo had explained that the concert scene was a “dry mix.” He returned to his table and the lights went
down.
I couldn’t start to say how fantastically delighted we were
with the film. We saw some of the bits
that Kris and I had seen filmed at A&M Studios and the final concert
scene. I was charmed. We were delighted. What can I say? Ringo sat at one side of the room, and we,
the other. To Karen’s advantage, she was
able to watch his continuous glances our way to see our reactions. We clapped and smiled at the film and felt
without a doubt that he enjoyed being enjoyed.
Many people started to leave after the film, but Ringo
stayed. After a few more drinks and a
lot more of Ringo, eventually the evening was gracefully closing. His new album was passed out as the guests
exited and I overheard someone commenting that the guests shouldn’t have them
inside – “He’s not supposed to sign them.”
Irregardless of promise or formalities, Ringo signed anyway. As I watched and waited, I was wondering if
he might finally be getting weary of what seemed to be the constant exchange of
faces and contact of hands; but he carried on sharing his charming ways, the
camera still busy. Sil was able to get a
roll of shots too, and he didn’t seem to mind a bit. I had been standing observing him all this
time; then there was a break and he turned directly towards me. It was quite spontaneous yet very definite. His reaction was warm and sincere. I said, “If the film is the best bit of an
indication…your special is nothing short of fantastic. It’s positively delightful. You definitely have a winner. There’s no possible doubt.” To wish him good luck wouldn’t have been
correct. There is just no luck needed to
carry it. He IS the greatest. HE made me feel he understood my enthusiasm
and appreciation completely and returned his appreciation warmly. What a moment. How often is there an opportunity to really
tell Ringo just how much you enjoy his just being himself?
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