If you’re looking forward to seeing Ringo Starr and his All-Starr
Band perform at Lincoln’s Pinewood Bowl this summer, here’s something
to help you prep for it. This hefty 2015 biography by
journalist/editor/biographer Michael Seth Starr (no relation, obviously,
since Ringo’s given name is Richard Starkey but a nice coincidence)
goes into great detail about the life and times of “the last Beatle.”
The author’s fondness for the little drummer with the big nose is
evident but he also chronicles the events, circumstances, and
relationships of Ringo’s life with multiple perspectives and extensive
research. From a wartime hard-scrabble and sickly beginning to fame as a
teenage teddy-boy drummer who graduated to the rock-n-roll ranks with
Rory Storm and the Hurricanes before John Lennon and company gave him a
better offer, Ritchie Starkey’s childhood and youth alone would have
made a compelling story, but to add in the fact that he became legendary
in his own lifetime as a member of perhaps the most recognizable
pop/rock band in history is even better. Add in his acting roles, his
business ventures, his marriages and affairs, and his friendships with
famous musicians and actors in addition to his relationships to John,
Paul & George, and you have some engrossing reading. Now-days all
about “Peace and Love”, Ringo is enjoying the fruits of his early
labors, his escape from addictions, and a settled family life. Ringo and
his wife, the American actress Barbara Bach, live part of each year in
America, grateful to the nation that welcomed him with open arms when
many of his fellow countrymen viewed him negatively for replacing Pete
Best in the Beatles lineup. The book includes two small photo sections
and an epilogue in which some famous contemporary drummers give their
assessment of his skill and influence. Interestingly, Ringo did not
endorse this tome, which seems arbitrary, given the love and time that
went into it, but maybe that is just one cost of such a level of fame —
not being able to trust what’s written, or have the time to review it,
about yourself..
[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try
The Beatles Anthology, by The Beatles, or the DVDs
A Hard Day’s Night, and
Help!.]
[ official
Michael Seth Starr author web site ] | [ official
Ringo Starr web site ]
Have you read this? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?
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