Ringo Starr Transitions from Rock to Country Music with New Album
Ringo Starr, former drummer of The Beatles, is shifting from rock to country music with his new album "Look Up," inspired by producer T Bone Burnett. This marks his first full-length album in six years.
Former Beatles' drummer Ringo Starr is making a music switch from rock to country. The legendary artist shared that he was changing his tune during a press conference for his new country album, "Look Up."
When asked about the inspiration behind the album, Starr explained that T Bone Burnett, a producer and songwriter who has worked with notable artists like Bob Dylan and Alison Krauss, played a significant role in bringing the record to life.
"T Bone was the inspiration because I met him at this party we were at, just getting together," Starr remarked, noting their initial meeting in the 1970s.
At 84 years old, the rocker revealed the duo shared updates on their respective projects. Starr mentioned creating EPs and suggested that Burnett send any songs his way.
"He sent me the song that is the most beautiful country track I've heard in many years. It's sort of '50s country. And so, I thought, well, I'll just make a country EP... Most of them are pop rock," Starr added.
Starr continued to explain that when Burnett visited Los Angeles, he invited him to produce what was initially planned as an EP. However, Burnett revealed he had nine tracks ready, leading to the decision to create a full-length album.
"There was no real plan. It was just bumping into each other, and it ended up here," Starr laughed.
"Look Up" marks Starr's first full-length album in six years, with nine of its eleven songs written or co-written by Burnett.
Starr's lifelong love of country music has been evident throughout his career. He has performed and written numerous country and country-tinged songs with The Beatles, including "Act Naturally," "What Goes On," and "Don't Pass Me By."
T Bone Burnett expressed his admiration for Starr, stating, "I have loved Ringo Starr and his playing... He has always sung killer rockabilly, as well as being a heartbreaking ballad singer. To get to make this music with him was something like the realization of a 60-year dream I've been living."
Recently, Starr brought his country influence to Nashville with two sold-out performances at the Ryman Auditorium, with proceeds from his rendition of "With a Little Help From My Friends" going to the American Red Cross and victims of the California fires.
The "Ringo & Friends at the Ryman" event featured artists such as Jack White and Sheryl Crow, with plans for the concert to air this spring.
Throughout his career, Starr has won nine Grammy Awards and has been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He has also released 20 solo studio records and has notable film credits, including an Academy Award and an Emmy nomination. In 2018, he was knighted, and he celebrated 35 years of touring with his All-Starr Bands in 2019.
In 2022, Ringo received an honorary degree as a Doctor of Music from Berklee College of Music and was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame with the Joe Chambers Musicians Legacy Award.
