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Ringo Starr releases new country album, Long Long Road
Former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr has traded Liverpool for Nashville in his latest musical project, Long Long Road, a country album recorded between Los Angeles and Tennessee. At 85, Starr remains energetic, dismissing formalities like his 2018 knighthood-preferring to be called by his stage name rather than "Sir Richard."
A lifetime of collaboration
Starr, who has lived in Los Angeles since the 1970s, credits the city's creative energy for his enduring career. "I've always loved the attitude of LA," he said during an interview at the Sunset Marquis hotel, a historic haunt for rock legends. "The heat and the light-it's just been a good place for me."
His new album features collaborations with Sheryl Crow, Billy Strings, and St. Vincent, reflecting his belief in collective music-making. "I never play alone, not even to practice," he said. "That's how I did it-I made all my mistakes on stage."
Starr's aversion to solo practice dates back to his childhood in Liverpool, where neighbors complained about his drumming. "I think that's what did it," he laughed. "I tell my grandchildren: stop practicing alone. Get with people."
From Liverpool to Nashville
Starr's love for country music began in 1950s Liverpool, a port city where merchant sailors brought records from around the world. "Liverpool was the capital of country music in England," he recalled. "I know I loved it."
As a teenager, he briefly considered moving to Texas to be near blues legend Lightnin' Hopkins but abandoned the idea due to immigration paperwork. "He was the blues guy that got to me," Starr said, reflecting on how his life might have differed had he followed through.
Though he wrote only two songs with The Beatles-including the country-tinged Don't Pass Me By-Starr has since become a prolific songwriter. His early attempts were met with laughter from bandmates John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison, but he persevered. "In the end, they started turning out really good," he said.
New music and upcoming tour
Starr teamed up with producer T Bone Burnett, known for his work with Bob Dylan, to co-write Long Long Road. The album was recorded in Los Angeles and Nashville, where session musicians "just pop in to play," he said. "It's great."
He praised Beyoncé's recent foray into country music, calling Cowboy Carter "a great album." Starr will tour the western U.S. in May and June, performing as both drummer and lead singer. Gregg Bissonette will share drumming duties, allowing Starr to move to the front of the stage. "We have a lot of fun," he said. "It gives the band a bit of meat."
Reflecting on a legendary career
Starr addressed long-standing Beatles lore with humor. He confirmed coining the phrase "A Hard Day's Night" and being the first band member to smoke marijuana. "I took the first puff," he laughed. However, he debunked rumors of never eating pizza or curry, saying, "I never have."
With four Beatles biopics set for release in 2028, directed by Sam Mendes, Starr joked about the films' fictional elements. "I had to get used to the fact that they're not documentaries," he said. Actor Barry Keoghan, who plays Starr, visited him in Los Angeles to "hang out" rather than study his mannerisms. "It wasn't like one of those in-depth things," Starr said, dismissing questions about which hand he uses to pick his nose.
When asked about the films' box office potential, Starr shrugged. "Put us all on. That would be cool to sit there. Bring sandwiches."
