50 years since the wildest Christmas Party ever

I am sure that many of you went to various Christmas Parties this weekend.  And while some of them might have been a little crazy, I sure hope none of you experienced the craziness of the Christmas Party held at 3 Savile Row 50 years ago today. 

Apple decided to have a Christmas Party on December 23, 1968.   The party was to have two parts.  At 2:30pm there was to be a children's party.   I am not sure what children exactly were invited, but I do know that Zak and Jason Starkey were there as well as Apple employee's kids and relatives.     Somehow John Lennon was talked into playing the part of Father Christmas and Yoko joined in as Mother Christmas.    The children's party went alright, I suppose.    The kids were bouncing off the walls, as would be expected for young kids, especially given the fact that they were fed cookies and candy.    They were entertained by some typical child party entertainers (I recall a ventriloquist).   Then John and Yoko (along with Mary Hopkin) came out and delivered the wrapped gifts to the kids.  John was heard saying a very deadpan, "Ho Ho Ho" and Yoko was heard saying a bizarre "He He He."  Mary was there to help hand out the gifts.

Don't you think John could have worn better shoes when he was Father Christmas?

By 6:00 the adult party was to get started (although some of the kids were still there).   There was a cast of pretty wild characters at the party.   We had the homeless family that was there as well as the Hell's Angles that came by George Harrison's invite.    George wasn't at the party and neither was Paul.    For the second part of the party, John and Yoko changed back to their regular clothing.  Derek Taylor got a turkey that was over 40 pounds and was supposedly the biggest Christmas turkey in England that year.    The turkey was taking a long, long time to cook and the Hell's Angels guys were really hungry and impatient and started a fight.  Someone got punched and John almost got hit as well and then Peter Brown stepped in and tried to get the situation calmed down.    Eventually, the turkey was ready and the main Angel guy, Pete grabbed the turkey leg and ripped it off the bird and gnawed on it while the rest of the crew tore the bird to pieces. 


Crazy but true times at Apple!

Hanging with the fam

That time when Ringo quit the Beatles

Ringo was the last to join The Beatles and he was the first to quit.     It was 50 years ago that Ringo left his drum kit and quit the band.        The rumor I had always heard was that Paul was complaining that Ringo couldn't get the drumming on Back in the U.S.S.R. correct.   So Ringo says something along the lines of "well then you do it -- I quit."     

I don't know how true that is because that isn't the official story that has been told over the years.   Ringo tells it that he felt that his drumming wasn't very good and that he didn't fit in with the group and so he went over to his flat where John and Yoko were currently living and tells John this and that he quits the Beatles.   John responded "I thought it was me...."  So then Ringo goes over to Cavendish Avenue and talks to Paul who says, "I thought it was me..."   He didn't bother to visit George, instead, he decides to go on a holiday with his family on Peter Seller's yacht where he ends up writing the song, "Octopus' Garden."

He receives a telegram from the other guys saying that he is the best and to come back and so Ringo comes back and no one in the outside world knew that Ringo Starr was actually not a Beatle for a short period of time. 

Just the boys

Father Ringo

Ringo comes across as a pretty awesome Dad.      I am sure there were some rocky times when Ringo was living the party life in L.A. and his kids were at home in London, but overall he has raised three great kids and he always seems so proud of them. 

The Starkey family

Dad's weekend

Is that Rumi?

Here comes the moon the moon the moooon

Heading for the Starrs

Jason and Zak Starkey were astronauts on this Christmas.   So cute!

Two Beatle kid birthday today!

Those Beatle kids sure liked being born in September!   Today we celebrate Stella McCartney and Zak Starkey!   Happy birthday to them!

All in the family

One thing that I love about the Beatles that I never really thought would happen, is how all of the kids and family members are super supportive of one another.    Zak Starkey's new band, SSHH, had a gathering last night in London for the release of their album and for the Teenage Cancer Trust and look who came out to support him.   No surprises that little sis Lee Starkey was there and step-sister  Francesca Gregorin.   Dad Ringo and step-mom Barbara ended their beach vacation for the event.   Mary and James McCartney also came out for "cousin" Zaks party.       It warms my heart to see the Starkey's and the McCartney's supporting one another at events like this.     They seem to  be a lot closer than some families that I know.

Visiting his son's school

Ringo on July 15, 1978 during a special event at his son, Zak's school.

Thank Mo! -- We still love you 21 year later!

It was on this date in 1994 that Ringo's former wife, Maureen Cox lost her battle with leukemia  and passed away in a Seattle hospital with her entire family (including Ringo) by her side.   Maureen was and still is a much loved "Beatle girl" not only because of her beauty and style but for her dedication and devotion to her husband, Ringo during the Beatle years.     Maureen first met Ringo at the Cavern Club while he was a drummer for Rory Storm and the Hurricanes.   The couple dated for several years until Maureen found out she was pregnant and Ringo proposed to her.    Maureen was the ideal wife in many ways.  She was very supportive of her husband's career.   When Ringo came home from the recording studio in the middle of the night, Maureen would have diner waiting for her husband.   And of course who on the rooftop was applauding and cheering the loudest?   Maureen!    And while their romance was rocky and did end in divorce, Maureen and Ringo had three children together and they did an amazing job of co-parenting.  Ringo included his ex-wife in parties and events and never once spoke badly about her.     Ringo went on to marry Barbara and Maureen married Isaac Tigrett,  the former couple still remained friend.  Ringo even included the daughter Maureen and Issac had together whenever there was a family gathering.  

Because of Maureen's class and kindness Beatle fans all around the world were devastating when learning that Maureen had passed away.   Paul McCartney wrote the beautiful song, "Little Willow" in memory of his friend, Maureen.    And 21 years after her death, fans still adore Maureen.

We could be so happy---you and me

Some photos of Ringo and his family on the trip to Sarnia in 1968---when Ringo walked away from the Beatles and went to an octopus' garden.

Happy 50th birthday Zak Starkey!

photo by Michael Mondi copyright by Sara Schmidt   Do not use without permission

From the cute little baby born 50 years ago today to the great drummer of the Who, we celebrate the life of Ringo and Maureen's eldest child, Zak today!  

Baby Love

The Heights

This adorable photo of Ringo, Maureen, Zak and their puppy dog standing in the doorway of Sunny Heights must have been taken by Harry Grossman because there were many of his photographs taken at Ringo's home with Ringo and and Maureen wearing those exactly clothes.  (update in comments section)

What I think about when I see this photo is that this is what it would have been like if you knocked on Ringo's door in 1967.   I just love seeing the Beatles at their homes.

Ringo at Disneyland

I can't believe I have never posted this photo on this blog!  It is awesome!   It is in the mid 1970's and Ringo Starr is with his children at my favorite place on earth to be:  Disneyland!    They are walking in New Orleans Square near a gift shop that sells glassware (or at least that is what I think).   Walking with them in the "plaid"  (the cast member that is assigned to escort famous people around the park so that their day at the Disney park is easy) named Nancy Allen.   I love how Ringo is holding Lee's hand.  Is that Zak behind her in the sunglasses?   Where is Jason?   Behind Ringo maybe?   I have no idea who took this photo, but I thank them greatly!

thanks Mo!

This is a newspaper clipping my co-worker has saved from a scrapbook she has had since the 1960's.

This is a photo of the Starkey family taken by Ringo.

Maureen and Ringo in 1968



It is always sad when someone in the Beatles family passes away. So many of the key figures in the Beatles story have seemed to have been taken from us way too soon, and that was very much the case of Ringo's first wife, Maureen, who passed away on this date in 1994. At a time when I know I personally did not have easy access to the Internet, the news was slow to get to me. I actually think I did not hear of her passing until February of 1995. I would have loved to have read a book by Maureen about her life, if she would have written one (I never would have thought Pattie would have done so, but she did!).

I have a hard time choosing a favorite "Beatle girl." I typically say Cyn (most likely because I am a John fan) or maybe Linda (because I love what a strong woman she is) but honestly Maureen in in that mix as well. She was a fan favorite early on and treated many fans who came knocking on her door to meet her famous husband with kindness and respect. So here are a few photos and clippings in memory of Maureen.