Former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr (born Richard Starkey) sat down with the BBC at the Sunset Marquis hotel in West Hollywood to discuss his new country album, 'Long Long Road'. He clarified that while he was knighted in 2018, the correct title is 'Sir Richard', not 'Sir Ringo', but he prefers to be called simply Ringo. The 85-year-old music legend appears youthful and energetic.

Starr has lived in Los Angeles since the 1970s and loves the city's heat and light. His new album features collaborations with Sheryl Crow, Billy Strings, and St Vincent. He never plays music alone, even for practice, and advises his grandchildren to join bands rather than practice solo. 'If you play piano, bass, saxophone, I will play with you all night,' he says.

The album was produced by T Bone Burnett, known for his work with Bob Dylan. They co-wrote the album and recorded in Los Angeles and Nashville. Starr notes that Burnett knows all the great Nashville musicians, who often drop by to play. Starr's love for country music dates back to 1950s Liverpool, which he calls 'the capital of country music in England' due to records brought by merchant navy sailors.

After finishing school, Starr planned to move to Texas at age 18 to be near blues musician Lightnin' Hopkins, but abandoned the idea due to tedious paperwork. During his Beatles years, he wrote only two songs, including the country-tinged 'Don't Pass Me By'. His early songwriting attempts were laughed at by Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison, but he eventually improved.

Paul McCartney now respects Starr's songwriting; they recently recorded a duet for McCartney's upcoming album 'The Boys of Dungeon Lane'. Starr will tour the western US in May and June, using two drum kits on stage—one for himself and one for drummer Gregg Bissonette, who takes over when Starr sings.

Starr confirmed several legends: he coined the phrase 'A Hard Day's Night', was the first Beatle to smoke marijuana, and has never eaten pizza or curry. Director Sam Mendes will release four Beatles films in 2028, with Barry Keoghan playing Starr. Keoghan visited Starr to 'hang out' rather than study his mannerisms. Starr suggests watching all four films in a single marathon day, 'Bring sandwiches.'

Source: www.bbc.com