Ever since he went solo in 1970, Ringo Starr, 74, has kept a steady beat. On March 31, prior to his April 18 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist, the Beatles drummer released his 18th studio LP, Postcards From Paradise, his first time using his touring All-Starr Band on an album of new material.
How was it working with the All-Starr Band?
Since the first All-Starr Band in 1989, I wanted us all to sit around and write and record songs. I tried with every version of the band, and it never worked until now. I’ve kept this one together for three years because we get on so well.
Liverpool 8, from 2008, was an entire LP of memories; Postcards begins with “Rory and The Hurricanes,” named after a band you used to be in. Why these walks down memory lane?
It’s instead of an autobiography. I’ve been invited to write one by several publishers, but I don’t feel they’re interested in my life — only the eight years I was in The Beatles.
You make a few references to The Beatles on Postcards. After the breakup, you were the one who kept recording with each of them.
I was friendly with everybody. I was in L.A. to make [1973’s] Ringo. [Producer] Richard Perry said, “Guess what? John [Lennon’s] in town.” In 10 minutes we had a song. George [Harrison] came into town, so he was on it too. I called Paul [McCartney] and said, “Look, I’ve got the other two on the album. I want you too.”