Ringo Starr — 36 Years Old and a Pop Star
The drumming ex-Beatle held a press conference in Copenhagen
By Arve Strømsether
The Nationen
October 9, 1976
Ringo Starr, ex-Beatle, ex-film star, ex-record-company director, but still a singer, was in Copenhagen last week to promote his new LP, Ringo's Rotogravure. After the Beatles broke up in 1970, Ringo has been the one of the four Beatles who has had the hardest time retaining his popularity. As is well known, he has no great singing voice and little talent as a composer, and just being a drummer isn't exactly something people would normally want to hear about.
He has certainly made a number of successful records, but these have been more characterized by his skillful musician friends than by himself. It was therefore a somewhat exciting prospect to attend the press conference in Copenhagen. Can an old Beatle still attract attention?
Well, it must be made clear right away that there is nothing in the world like Ringo's small talk. I sat for almost an hour listening to the famous star drummer, who was witty, sarcastic, irritated and cheerful in turn, answering all kinds of questions, whether they concerned the Beatles' past or Ringo's future.
The first questions were not particularly original, but nevertheless very topical:
Will there be a reunion of pop's most popular and influential group?
"No, why? It would be a catastrophe. When we were together, it was fun, and I sincerely think we added something to music. But today we are all different and occupied with our own things. We are still good friends and meet regularly, but there will be no permanent cooperation. We have played, and will continue to play on each other's records, but that's all."
Ringo becomes irritated that every time he holds a press conference, he spends 20 minutes explaining something that could be said in three or four words. He sincerely wants the Beatles kept far away and is more interested in his own career.
"With my new LP, I hope I can now make people aware that I can still produce music."
With some help from others, a cheeky journalist interjects.
"Yes, I am first and foremost a drummer, and that is not music, but rhythm. I can play a little piano and three chords on the guitar, and I am dependent on other instrumental help. I like to play drums, sing and write songs. Arranging and production can be left to others."
How was the new LP made?
"Very scattered. The songs were mostly ready in the spring, but they were recorded during the spring and summer. This was because the musicians I wanted to use weren't available."
You don't have any particular problems getting top musicians?
"No. I am very nice [laughs], and I think people understand that. There is a certain prestige in being allowed to play with him. But there is also another reason: Years ago, all the groups were bound together by a sense of togetherness."
Do you think it will be difficult to get some of them to work with you?
"I hope not. It depends on whether people have time when I need them. Most of them have their own groups."
Speaking of concerts. During the Beatles' time, there were many concerts, but despite this, there was never a record released of a Beatles concert. In recent years bootleg records have flourished, and some of these contain very good concert recordings. What does Ringo think about something like that?
"That's something I have nothing to do with."
Allan Williams and “King-size” Taylor claim they have recordings from Hamburg with good quality?
"Yes, I heard something about that. They called me and asked whether 200 million dollars would be a suitable price. I haven't heard the tape, but as far as I remember, the recordings weren't good enough for anything to come of it."
What does EMI have in its possession? Can you or the others control it?
"What EMI has in its possession, I or the others cannot control. It may be possible that they will release something."
Do you like the reissues of the old Beatles records?
"Not so much. I think it is exploitation of the public, all the time finding things that are on other records. The only one that was a little fun was the reissue of all the singles. I don't think I or the others can do anything about it.
"John and I disagreed about the choice of material on Rock 'n' Roll Music. No one wanted to listen to our suggestions. John offered to make another cover because the one that was used was too bad. But they weren't interested in that either."
Since Ringo hasn't made much music since the breakup of the Beatles, the Nationen reporter asks about his musical activities.
"Music is most of my life. I have acted in some films, and although that is fun, I am known as a drummer. I am going to make ten films next year, but whether I can say anything more about that, I don't know."
You have directed a couple of films. Would you like to do it again?
"No, I don't. It is too demanding and requires too much work in too many different areas. I am not suited to organizational work."
You have also been a furniture designer?
"That was eight years ago. I made a whole lot of nice furniture in glass and steel, but it was too expensive."
Couldn't you have made your own records?
"Yes, I suppose I could have, but since the distribution agreement was with Polydor, it didn't make much practical sense."
What do you think of your new LP, Ringo's Rotogravure?
"It is the best one I have made. There are good songs, good music, and it is a nice product, and I hope other people think so too."
Is this the only way the Beatles will come to play together?
"It is."
In England, pop artists are treated harshly by the tax authorities. Several of the country's major artists have had to leave the country to avoid the tax pressure. This applies to Ringo Starr as well. Was his move really worth it?
"I would gladly have stayed, but I simply couldn't afford to pay 53 percent of my income in taxes. Would any of you do it?"
Now you are living in Monte Carlo and seem to be enjoying it?
"Yes. The only thing that bothers me is that I can't get to England and see my children for a year."
A politically interested journalist asks why Ringo, who has such great influence, couldn't enter politics and try to change the situation.
"I am a musician, not a politician. I would rather play than talk nonsense, and then I leave. That doesn't mean I don't care about the country. What is worse for Mother England is that both doctors and teachers are fleeing from there. It is no wonder the pound is falling."
The questions rain down on Ringo, jumping from one subject to another. The aforementioned subject concerns The Beatles Tapes, which George Harrison made a legal attempt to stop. Why?
"It was a rather [topical/current] record, where the interviews were made for the press conference, or one-man show, as you might call it. "[The exact wording here is difficult to read in the scan.]
At another point Ringo is asked about the Rolls-Royce matter:
“For my part, I don't deal with that anymore. Otherwise, I thought about using Rolls-Royce parts as heaters, but the factory didn't think much of that idea.”
One of the last questions concerns Ringo's imitation of Kojak.
Was that an attempt to attract some declining attention?
"It was an experience every man ought to allow himself at least once in his life. I did it to shock Nancy [Ringo's then companion/fiancée]. Besides, I did it because I wanted a change. My hair has benefited from it too."
But the reporters have now asked enough. Only one question remains, and it will be given to the person who has not yet asked anything.
A modest woman's voice calls out:
“What about when you are 64, Ringo? Will you still be a musician?”
“If you'll still feed me, 64,” says Ringo with a crooked smile, and leaves the room with a trail of autograph-hungry journalists following him.
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