With a new album just released and an exciting concert special now available for streaming, Ringo Starr is showing no signs of slowing down. The legendary musician is preparing for a summer tour and a Las Vegas residency, keeping himself busy at age 84. Despite his jokes about taking a break, his children don’t take him seriously anymore.
Starr shared that after he wraps up a tour, he sometimes thinks he’ll retire, but his kids remind him that he’s made those claims for years. Each time he receives a call about upcoming gigs, he’s back on the road again.
In June, Starr will hit the road with his All Starr Band for ten shows and will perform in Las Vegas at The Venetian Theatre for a six-show run in September. This band has been active since 1989 and features notable musicians like Steve Lukather and Colin Hay.
Reflecting on his long career, Starr reminisces about how he started forming his band using a phone book to reach out to musicians. He relishes the live performances and the connections he makes with the audience, which keeps him motivated to keep going.
His latest country album, Look Up, released in January, marks a personal comeback. This project is his second in the country genre, following his earlier work, Beaucoups of Blues. The new album has been well-received, reaching the Top 10 on Billboard’s album sales chart and becoming his first No. 1 album in the UK in years.
The inspiration for Look Up came together in an unexpected yet creative manner, with T Bone Burnett taking a leading role in its production. Starr reached out to Burnett, who sent him a beautiful country track, which set the project in motion.
While making the album, Starr humorously considered calling it Be-Yond-Say, inspired by fellow artist Beyoncé, before settling on Look Up, a title he appreciates for its positive connotation.
Country music has always held a special place for Starr, tracing back to his teenage years in Liverpool, where he was exposed to American records brought back by seafarers. With the Beatles, he dabbled in country music, covering hits and contributing to the genre in their own distinctive way.
In recent performances, including at the iconic Ryman Auditorium, he even put a country twist on some Beatles classics. His concert special, Ringo & Friends at the Ryman, features collaborations with fellow artists like Sheryl Crow and Emmylou Harris, highlighting his ongoing passion for music.
Starr expresses his gratitude for the creative freedom he has, allowing him to explore new sounds and keep his music fresh and exciting.
