RINGO STARR 80

 

 

I just want to take a quick breather from the madness of America's political train-wreck to take note of a milestone anniversary: Ringo Starr was born eighty years ago today. In two months it will be said of him that he walked this planet for twice as long as John Lennon. And the amazing thing is that he shows no sign of slowing down. The man is as fit as a freakin' fiddle! Ringo is in it for the long haul. The dude is not going anywhere anytime soon.

 

Long known for being the clown prince of The Beatles, it's ironic that he is the only one of the four ever to have wept in public. The first time was in 1981 a few months after Lennon was murdered; the second time was nineteen years later, when reminiscing about his old friend, George Harrison. Feelings were decidedly chilled between members of the Fab Four after that band's demise in 1970. It speaks volumes for the man's character that he was the only one of the group who maintained warm relations with the other three. He insisted on being at his ex-wife Maureen's death bed when she passed away from cancer in 1994. This is a standup guy! How could you not love him?

I can remember where I was fifty years ago when my cousin Gene told me that Ringo Starr had just turned thirty.

30???

That seemed so old to eleven-year-old me. And now eighty doesn't seem that old to me - not when those years are being borne by the timeless Sir Richard Starkey. Ten years ago today, on the occasion of his seventieth, I wrote on this site:

"He never was as prolific musically as the other Beatles. While it cannot be denied that he will not be remembered as the greatest composer who ever lived, it is also undeniable that he has written some great songs. It Don't Come Easy, Photograph (co-written with George Harrison) and Oh My My are three of the finest post-Beatles recordings you can name. And while he probably won't be remembered as one of the greatest singers of his era, I have always felt (and I'm not alone here) that he has a beautiful baritone voice. Listen to What Goes On, Honey Don't and With a Little Help from My Friends. Can you imagine anyone else but Ringo Starr singing those tracks? Not me."

Ringo has requested that at twelve noon today, whereever you are in the world, say out loud the words "Peace and Love". That would be the greatest birthday present we could give him.

Peace and Love, Richie!

Tom Degan
Goshen, NY

SUUGGESTED LISTENING:

Photograph
by Ringo Starr 

I want you here to have and hold as the years go by
And we grow old and gray.... 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6CMSuT98-E&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR1QhSx-BmQaZhwA6Bjrss6mN9FeNL-X4P0uZUKV5MxdUpE0y2OvunjzV3M

This is perhaps my favorite solo recording of all four of the Fabulous Fabs. It brings back too many memories to count.

AFTERTHOUGHT:

Why the heck does spell check list "Ringo" as being incorrectly spelled? Where have they been for the past fifty years?