What Ringo Did After The Beatles

ABC Country

Topic: Music

Ringo Starr has released his 22nd solo album, a return to his earliest recordings with The Beatles.

You might be surprised that Ringo Starr has a new country music record, but you haven't been paying attention.

Ringo loved country music even as the drummer of The Beatles.

You can hear it in his songs with The Beatles, like Act Naturally and What Goes On.

Ringo talks to ABC Country about his new country album, saying 'Choose love, peace and love'.

Ringo's first songs with The Beatles were country songs by Carl Perkins.

Ringo brought other people's songs to The Beatles, including country songs.

This was a bold move with bandmates who were great songwriters.

Paul McCartney wrote some great songs for Ringo, but Ringo liked country music.

Following the country road

When The Beatles split, they pursued their individual music passions.

The other Beatles did different types of music, like prog-pop and avant-garde.

Ringo made a record with pre-war standards, a departure from The Beatles' psychedelic music.

People didn't expect Ringo's solo record, and they didn't pay much attention.

Ringo then made a country music record, Beaucoups Of Blues, in 1970.

Ringo worked with George Harrison and a country music gun, Pete Drake.

Pete Drake played on many famous country songs and needed a ride from the airport.

Ringo sent his car to pick up Pete, and they started talking about music.

Pete asked Ringo to make a record in Nashville, but Ringo was hesitant.

Ringo didn't want to be away from his kids for a long time.

But Pete said they could make a great record quickly, like Bob Dylan's Nashville Skyline.

Ringo went to Nashville and made Beaucoups Of Blues in two days.

Ringo chose the songs in the morning, recorded them in the afternoon, and sang them in the evening.

Ringo was trying to get back on his feet after The Beatles split.

Why stop now?

Ringo released a new country album in 2024, produced by T Bone Burnett.

It wasn't a surprise, given Ringo's love for country music.

Ringo's first album with T Bone Burnett was an accident, but it worked out well.

T Bone Burnett is a great producer who has worked with many famous artists.

Ringo and T Bone made a great team, and their first album got a great response.

The album had a warm and natural feel, with great guest musicians.

Ringo and T Bone decided to make another album, Long Long Road.

The new album has similar DNA to the first one, with the same writers and producer.

Ringo goes back to his roots with a take on a country standard, I Don't See Me in Your Eyes Anymore.

Ringo also revisits one of his own songs, Choose Love.

Ringo loves the expression 'choose love' and thinks it's a great message.

The new album worked out really well, and Ringo is happy with it.

One of the songs has lines from Ringo's old band, The Beatles.

The line 'the long and winding road is more than a song' inspired the album.

Ringo was thinking about his life and how it's been a long journey.

Fit, focused, and looking ahead

Ringo looks great for 85, thanks to vegetarianism, fitness, and meditation.

Ringo is in a good space and feeling fit and well.

Ringo is 85 and feeling great.

Ringo might visit Australia again, but there are no plans yet.

Ringo has loved his time in Australia since The Beatles visited in 1964.

Ringo and his wife used to visit Australia for holidays and had a great time.

Long Long Road is out now

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