Here is our exclusive eyewitness report of the Ringo Starr Grammy Museum show that took place Jan. 19. You can see a slideshow of exclusive picture from this show here: http://bit.ly/8B3Jmy
(1/25/2010) It was called "American Express Presents An Evening With Ringo Starr," Tuesday night at the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. About 200 people had a unique opportunity to see and hear the Beatles drummer close up talking about his new album and his career. They also saw Ringo, backed by Ben Harper and the Relentless 7, perform.
Before the show started, it was fun to look around the room and see the celebrities in the audience. Ringo's wife, Barbara Bach, her sister, Marjorie Bach, and her husband (and Ringo's brother-in-law) Joe Walsh, were there. Dhani Harrison was there. His mother Olivia was not seen, but her sister, Linda Arias, was also there.
Edgar Winter, who'll be among the All-Starr Band members this summer, and his wife were in attendance, as was Max Weinberg from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Ringo acknowledged Barbara Orbison from the stage, and actor Jason Schwartzman was also seen.
Photographer Rob Shanahan, who took the cover photo on "Y Not," was there, as was Bruce Sugar, who assisted Ringo in the album's production and Brent Carpenter, who has done many video projects with him. Beatle author Bruce Spizer was also in attendance.
Someone who wasn't there was Paul McCartney, who was in town two days earlier for the Golden Globe Awards. McCartney and Ringo were photographed having lunch together over the weekend.
Bob Santelli, executive director of the Grammy Museum, introduced Ringo and asked the initial questions.
"Thanks for coming," Ringo said, as he took the stage. He talked about how the new album "Y Not" was fun to make and how Paul McCartney was initially supposed to play only on "Peace Dream," but came up with the idea to add a vocal to "Walk With You." He also discussed how "The Other Side of Liverpool" was autobiographical and how many of his musical influences came about from hearing the records brought into Liverpool.
"I still listen to lot of music," he said. He discussed how he'd contributed a top 10 of his favorite songs to Don Was for iTunes, but that it was difficult because he really had a "top 1000." "I love music. I love country. I love rock 'n' roll. I'm just into music," he said. He also said, in reference to working with the All-Starr Band, "I love hanging out with musicians."
He linked the new record to the exhibit of Elvis Presley photos on view in the Grammy Museum by saying the phrase "Love Me Tender" is used on "Y Not."
The floor was opened to questions from the audience. One question was about his career with Rory Storm. Ringo recounted how Rory was a showman and that Ringo's featured spot in the show with Storm was called "Ringo Starr Time." He said one of the songs he sang during that spot was "Boys."
Another question asked about the upcoming remake of "Yellow Submarine." Ringo said "There's nothing wrong with the original," but the new film would feature a lot of modern effects, presumably like the Disney version of "A Christmas Carol" was that out late last year. He said he thought it would be great.
At one point, Ben Harper, whose band played with Ringo on recent TV appearances, came on stage. Ringo complimented him and his band for their work with him and Ben Harper seemed humbled by it all and said he was thrilled to be able to play with him. "Don't wake me up," he said. Harper, by the way, is married to actress Laura Dern, who we did not spot there.
The band then was asked to play a few numbers. They opened with "Photograph," then played "Walk With You." Ringo then left the stage, allowing Ben Harper and the band to play two numbers themselves, including "Up To You Now." Ringo then returned and sang "The Other Side of Liverpool" and "With a Little Help From My Friends." After a short walk from the stage, Ringo returned and finished off the music with a rousing "Boys" with him and Relentless 7 drummer Jordan Richardson both playing drums. This was the best of the five numbers, but all five were fantastic. The Relentless 7 is an excellent fit for Ringo and both the band and Ringo made it a wonderful evening.
(Thanks to Matt Hurwitz for the hospitality and getting me to the museum, Ray Paul for a couple of celebrity sightings and Barb P. for the photo link.) This news item copyright Abbeyrd's Beatles Page Return to Beatle News Briefs Check out our DVD Review Page, Virtual Shopping Mall, Abbeyrd Beatles' Page Collectors' Marketplace and Beatle Books-CDs: Some Recommendations for our choices of great audio and video and great Beatle gift items.
