A special message from Ringo Starr - no more fan mail after Oct. 20

You have just five days to send stuff to Ringo to get it autographed. Hurry, hurry. Don't get shut out. (Via Arbroath)

[#1 posted by lautaylo , October 15, 2008 2:20 PM]

Oh, to be a fly on the wall in Ringo's house! I'd love to know what prompted this message. It shocked me a bit to see the announcement in my BBC News feed.

He looks more than a little high.

[#2 posted by Talia , October 15, 2008 2:22 PM]

Oh yes, I am so keen to get an autograph from a hugely egotistical douchebag. I will run to the post office right now.

[#3 posted by Maddy , October 15, 2008 2:22 PM]

ahhh, richie from The Dingle ...

[#4 posted by mdh , October 15, 2008 2:23 PM]

Jesus didn't give autographs either, and I hear he was pretty big back in the day.

[#5 posted by nanuq , October 15, 2008 2:35 PM]

Has any of the fan mail even been reaching the Beatles all these years? I thought they had people who took care of all that for them. I'm pretty sure Ringo can afford a secretary.

[#6 posted by Geoffrey Sperl , October 15, 2008 2:38 PM]

@MDH:

Are you trying to say Jesus is bigger than the Beatles?!?

I think we need to organize a boycott and burning of MDH's comments...

Seriously: I agree with Talia. I can't see that Ringo's any busier than he's been for the past 45 years...

[#7 posted by jdixon , October 15, 2008 2:39 PM]

i guess his assistant gave him only a week's notice.

[#8 posted by Chris Spurgeon , October 15, 2008 2:40 PM]

That's cool, fair enough Ringo.

I wonder if he's been deluged with extra fan mail because of the Simpsons episode dealing with Ringo and his fan letters?

[#9 posted by mdh , October 15, 2008 2:41 PM]

bingo!

[#10 posted by Variable Rush , October 15, 2008 2:41 PM]

What's his address for mailing things?

While we're at it, what's McCartney's address?

[#11 posted by Anonymous , October 15, 2008 2:44 PM]

Gilbert Anonymous here:
He still gets fan mail? But he's soooo last century.

[#12 posted by mellowknees , October 15, 2008 2:44 PM]

@#1: "He looks more than a little high."

Well, he's Ringo Starr. He has ALWAYS looked more than a little high.

[#13 posted by asx , October 15, 2008 2:44 PM]

so, if I read it right, it's "peace and love, peace and love. fuck you!"

just don't respond, and people will give up on you. no point making a big deal about it.

[#14 posted by Antinous , October 15, 2008 2:47 PM]

Jesus didn't give autographs either

But he single-handedly invented the relics industry.

[#15 posted by anthony , October 15, 2008 2:53 PM]

What's so grand about autographs, anyway?
Antinous, have you read "The Dream Life of Balso Snell"?

Maybe I'll write a story about a relic that spontaneously reproduces autographs of the canonized.

[#16 posted by Talia , October 15, 2008 2:58 PM]

I just dont see the big deal in, say, instead having assistants answer all fan mail with form letters. Or just not replying. Either of those work, and aren't pretty much.. just... insulting.

[#17 posted by cycle23 , October 15, 2008 3:04 PM]

came for the simpson's reference, left satisfied

[#18 posted by JFlex , October 15, 2008 3:16 PM]

"Dear Ringo,

I write to you in hopes you can transfer some of your ludicrous luck into this envelope (enclosed, with postage affixed) and send it back to me. See, I'm moderately acceptable at various things and, since you're a moderately acceptable drummer who stumbled into the biggest rock band ever, I'm hoping to get in on your kind of action.

Love,

Flexy"

[#19 posted by OM , October 15, 2008 3:20 PM]

...Now would be a great time for Pete Best to start signing autographs for Ringo's fans. It would prove once and for all he was the better drummer both on and off stage!

[#20 posted by Anonymous , October 15, 2008 3:23 PM]

"Well, he's Ringo Starr. He has ALWAYS looked more than a little high."

Of course, but not without a little help from his friends.

[#21 posted by Maddy , October 15, 2008 3:30 PM]

#18 -- I know I should let this go, but allow me to pontificate on one of my favorite themes -- musical technician vs. musical expression.

with all the music lessons going on right now in this country, there are a ga-jillion folks creating a technical set of skills that far surpass the meager one that Richard Starkey was given. And yet, his sound was his own. And it moved the music. And that's really all that matters. It fit.

this sort of assessment belongs with the withering "it's just a three chord song" (okay, you try and use three chords in a new way sometime), "the guy's off key" (maybe, but the interpretation beats most pitch-perfect singers), or "so-and-so is faster on their guitar." Ugh.

Music is not sports. There's no finish line for the fastest, the most perfect. It's just vibrations trying to match emotional vibrations. And to think that the beat that came from The Beatle sitting on the drums was "moderately acceptable" is pure nonsense. There's lots of people who can play music, there are very few who can make it move all around the world for 40(+) years ...

[#22 posted by Jonathan , October 15, 2008 3:41 PM]

There's a great line at 0:31 --

"I'm warning you with peace and love."

[#23 posted by Phikus , October 15, 2008 3:46 PM]

PEACE & LOVE!!!

I too, will no longer be accepting mail of any kind after the 20th, especially bills.

PEACE & LOVE!!!

[#24 posted by Omanafire , October 15, 2008 3:53 PM]

Give this aging starr some credit. He has entertained for many years and he looks like it has taken a toll on him. I really believe he is suffering serious health issues (parkinson's disease)

Peace & Love to Ringo

[#25 posted by mondegreen thoughts , October 15, 2008 3:56 PM]

Attention....Attention...BoingBoing viewers.

Ringo Starr doesn't give a flying shiat what you think. He is old. He is tired.

Let it be.

That is all.

[#26 posted by Phikus , October 15, 2008 4:00 PM]

MADDY@21: Well said.

OM@19: I've heard all the recordings of Pete Best on drums with the boys and I don't see how you could say he was best, by any measure. George Martin heard it right when he told them after their first session to come back, but w/o him. Ringo kept steady time and had the right personality chemistry to compliment the others. Any busier of a drummer would have overpowered the other elements in their delicate mixture that remains unparalleled.

Also, I can't really say I blame the guy. After 45 years of faithfully answering fan mail, he deserves to retire from it. He looked a little shook up and angry to me. I wonder what bad-apple fan incident spoiled the cart.

[#27 posted by St_Stevie , October 15, 2008 4:00 PM]

I 2nd Maddy.
He was am accomplished drummer with a rep before the Beatles. Albiet, a much, MUCH smaller one.

And they did have that one guy who became a bakery delivery driver on drums before Ringo, must've dumped him for a reason.

[#28 posted by cstatman , October 15, 2008 4:01 PM]

peace and love

I'll autograph anything any of ya'll want to send to me.

:)

[#29 posted by St_Stevie , October 15, 2008 4:02 PM]

Just listen to Back in the USSR where Paul's on drums vs. A day in the life.

Though, drumming aside, he was kind of curt in this video and the loveandpeace message didn't abate that much.

[#30 posted by Phikus , October 15, 2008 4:03 PM]

OMANAFIRE@24: Very good point. John was assassinated. George was attacked; stabbed multiply a couple of years before he died of cancer. Let's be kind to our few remaining Beatles (even Sir Paul!)

[#31 posted by Phikus , October 15, 2008 4:07 PM]

Maybe we should all send him a postcard wishing him well before the time is up.

[#32 posted by lautaylo , October 15, 2008 4:08 PM]

@ #17: Came back for argument about Ringo's drumming skills; leaving satisfied.

@ #12: Really? No. I put that out there as less of a statement of the obvious, and more by way of an explanation for his...well..."Ringo-ness".

Though I do recall him once saying he didn't smoke, sniff, or drink anymore. As he was tired of waking up on the floor.

[#33 posted by lautaylo , October 15, 2008 4:12 PM]

@ #31: I own that book. It's stupendous.

Perhaps he's shut off the fan-mail valve in an attempt to finish answering them by the end of the Mayan calendar? Consider those straws *grasped*.

[#34 posted by Phikus , October 15, 2008 4:20 PM]

LAUTAYLO@33: As do I. John's custom cards are the best. I guess he doesn't receive mail from Paul anymore enough to keep the box open.

[#35 posted by mikelotus , October 15, 2008 4:28 PM]

#2 Talia, you should really make sure you understand what you are talking about before you mouth off. Ringo is hardly egotistical and is one of the most down to earth rock stars ever. There is no one in the business or anyone that knows him that has ever had anything bad to say about the man. As far as the DB comment, well if the shoe fits.

[#36 posted by FoetusNail , October 15, 2008 4:35 PM]

Phikus, to say Ringo kept steady time is a wonderful understatement. The guy was a human metronome, whose sparseness was perfect for the band. As far as Sir George Martin goes, has anyone listened to the butcher job he sold Cirque? My opinion of Sir George is he ain't no Tom Dowd, not even close.

A decent fan club will answer mail and send out autographed photos for free. I used to help a friend answer fan mail. The artist's management would forward large packs of letters; boy was that interesting, sorting out the good, the sad, and the scary.

BTW, thanks for the kind words and support the other day.

[#37 posted by Gary , October 15, 2008 4:37 PM]

Ringo deserves honor simply for the drumming in "Rain". Seriously, it's fantastic work no matter what speed it's played at.

After that, his work on Thomas the Tank Engine.

[#38 posted by Phikus , October 15, 2008 5:02 PM]

FOETUSNAIL@36: "...to say Ringo kept steady time is a wonderful understatement. The guy was a human metronome, whose sparseness was perfect for the band." I couldn't have said it better (though I tried.)

You may not like Love but I thoroughly enjoy it, for what it is. Sir Martin may not be your cup of tea, but let's give the man a little credit as the one who rightfully is widely considered to be the 5th Beatle in arranging so much of their music and collaborating with them like no other before or since in creating their sounds. I was just bringing him up in that, as their discoverer, he had heard enough in that first short session to know what he liked and didn't about the pre-fab four, and told them they could come back, but sans Best, which was the deciding factor on their sacking him.

BTW, Dowd's DVD is the bomb!

"BTW, thanks for the kind words and support the other day." You're welcome! =D I call it like I see it, and you've always brought refreshing perspectives to the table and contributed positively to these discussions, in my book. Please keep it up.

GARY: Indeed. Ringo has said in interviews that he considers that the finest drumming he ever accomplished on any track.

[#39 posted by Phikus , October 15, 2008 5:14 PM]

GARY: I was referring to your comment on Rain.

[#40 posted by justanotherusername , October 15, 2008 5:29 PM]

There's 14 pages of Ringo videos here: http://www.ringostarr.com/videos.php

Haven't been through them all, but the one posted here is probably the most silly.

[#41 posted by FourFiveFire , October 15, 2008 5:45 PM]

Well, for my grand finale, I shall Fed-Ex him Mickey Dolenz.

[#42 posted by obliv1on , October 15, 2008 5:48 PM]

This is lousy week for people I used to like.
WTF happened to Marsha Brady? Nooooo!

[#43 posted by FoetusNail , October 15, 2008 5:49 PM]

Now you're making me feel bad for making a disparaging remark about old Sir George.

[#44 posted by Phikus , October 15, 2008 5:57 PM]

FOURFIVEFIRE: Gonna slip him a Mickey, hunh? ...Or is that slip him a Monkee? You decide.

[#45 posted by Laslo Paniflex , October 15, 2008 6:03 PM]

Anyone else think it's a pathetic bid for attention. Who would ever send Ringo Starr fan mail? Quick Ringo joke. Why is Ringo Starr famous.... because he was the fourth best drummer in the Beatles!

[#46 posted by Takuan , October 15, 2008 6:06 PM]

if nothing else
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GzEfjzlN6w

[#47 posted by prion , October 15, 2008 6:09 PM]

Even if you make some more music and I happen to appreciate it, I still won't want your stinking autograph! Peace and love!

[#48 posted by Takuan , October 15, 2008 6:36 PM]

don't be so hard on celebrity types, they are not like you and I.

[#49 posted by Phikus , October 15, 2008 6:38 PM]

FEOTUS: Don't feel bad. Let's talk about Phil Spector... ;D

LASLO: Do you really think Ringo needs to do this to get attention? Maybe he just feels like he's unworthy of more fan mail.

As for your "joke": You're a million laughs, buddy.

TAKUAN: Thanks for that bit of 200 Motels. Don't forget Caveman, though.

[#50 posted by Tavie , October 15, 2008 6:43 PM]

@41 FTW. I got the hiccups from laughing at the comments in this thread.

[#51 posted by Takuan , October 15, 2008 6:59 PM]

Hah! Caveman! Forgot all about it, but now I see "snoo-snoo" is a descendant of "zug-zug".

[#52 posted by GaryInMiami , October 15, 2008 7:03 PM]

Maybe he's just fed up with signing all the crap that profiteers ask him to sign so they can turn around and sell it on eBay?

[#53 posted by FoetusNail , October 15, 2008 7:29 PM]

Some favorites. The Jones, Roach, and Blakey links are from a single appearance. Hope I didn't mix up the links too much.

Cobham Solo w/Hancock

Elvin Jones

Max Roach

Max Roach and Art Blakey

Hammerax Percussion, don't skip intro, play loud. Products page is fun to roll around on.

[#54 posted by mikelotus , October 15, 2008 7:44 PM]

No Laslo Paniflex, I don't think its a pitiful bid for attention since Ringo has enough money to get all the attention he wants. However, I do think that is true with posters that waste bandwidth.

[#55 posted by OM , October 15, 2008 8:42 PM]

...I hope Marge Simpson deals with this on a future episode of The Simpsons :-P

[#56 posted by Laslo Paniflex , October 15, 2008 8:49 PM]

Mikelotus is actually Ringo Starr.

[#57 posted by Bloo , October 15, 2008 8:58 PM]

Kyra Phillips on CNN played this on 10/14 and said "I'd suggest you send all your fan mail to Pete Best"

I found it funny, and actually I thought she was probably too young to care about Beatles trivia so I was surprised at the same time.

[#58 posted by HornCologne , October 15, 2008 11:08 PM]

I love Ringo's delivery in the vid, somewhere between someone's gran yelling into the steam-telly-phone:

"THIS IS A SERIOUS MESSAGE! TO EVERYONE WATCHING MY ... UPDATE ... RIGHT NOW! ARE THEY FEEDING YOU ENOUGH THERE? HAVE YOU MADE ANY NEWS FRIENDS?"

Gotta love the guy. I never, ever understood the sour grapes that the whole world seemed to go through about him. He was part of the band. You like the band? You like their stuff? Well he was there. He was part of the mix that produced all those songs. Done.

PEACE AND LOVE, RINGO - I'LL LEAVE YOUR DINNER IN THE OVEN!

[#59 posted by iamcantaloupe , October 16, 2008 1:12 AM]

Despite a move even as bold as this, there is nothing Ringo could do to even come close to the douche baggery which Paul exudes.

[#60 posted by Phikus , October 16, 2008 1:40 AM]

FOETUS: Nice jazz drum primer! Damn nice cymbals.

Here's a couple more Ringo highlights with the boys:

Paperback Writer / Rain (First music videos ever made by anyone.)

Strawberry Fields Forever (Sorry for the small blip at about the 2:00 mark.)

A Day In The Life (Bad cue in, but documents the wild party thrown as the string sections were being recorded for this song.)

I Am The Walrus (Sorry for the warble on the audio. Hands down the best bit from Magical Mystery Tour. Stand alone, one of the best videos ever made.)

Flying (The shot this for MMT a year before Kubrick shot 2001. The only song credited to all four Beatles equally.)

Lady Madonna (Cobbled together from stray bits of video. Could have been used for any song, but still kinda fun.)

Revolution (Classic.)

Don't Let Me Down (Video from the last time they ever played together 1-30-'69.)

And yes, the song titles string together to make a hidden message, I want to tell you. (Cranberry sauce!)

[#61 posted by lovemoose , October 16, 2008 3:29 AM]

What he didn't mention in the video was the main reason he had to give up signing fan mail:

HE HAS BLISTERS ON HIS FINGERS.

[#62 posted by Kevbo , October 16, 2008 4:59 AM]

Last chance to involve Ringo in Nigerian scams too.

No, no, no, no, I don't sign it no more...

[#63 posted by owza , October 16, 2008 5:09 AM]

"Is there anything you miss about Ringo Star?"

"Er, no," responded owza, bluntly!

[#64 posted by Satan Ate My Ears , October 16, 2008 6:43 AM]

Mr. Conductor. That is all.

[#65 posted by dhamby , October 16, 2008 8:11 AM]

I'M WARNING YOU WITH PEACE AND LOVE.

[#66 posted by OM , October 16, 2008 8:32 AM]

...Is he still married to Barbara Bach? If so, send *her* the fan mail, suggesting that she cut off Ringo until he decides to quit this stunt. If Bach is still half the woman she was in Caveman, then he'll not only be begging for fan mail, he'll be offering to pay the postage due!

[#67 posted by zandar , October 16, 2008 9:03 AM]

I think I saw fear in those eyes... or something anyway, it was hard to tell with the rock star shade implants.

[#68 posted by PixelFish , October 16, 2008 10:09 AM]

I always think of Marge Simpson, when I think of Ringo Starr fan mail.

[#69 posted by Caroline , October 16, 2008 10:18 AM]

Well, he's always had this problem.

(Come on, multiple Simpsons references and not one Hard Day's Night reference? No wonder he's not answering your mail; what kind of fans are you?)

[#70 posted by lautaylo , October 16, 2008 1:37 PM]

@ #69: Let's do the show right here!
Perhaps this is a telling sign of Ringo's gambling addiction? Too busy playing "Bingo" to sign our ickle photos?

@ #60: IIRC, the clips used for the Lady Madonna promo were actually from the song "Hey Bulldog", which British censors strangely and unceremoniously cut from Yellow Submarine.

Ah, here we go:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGrEZH7j1bQ

[#71 posted by Phikus , October 16, 2008 2:21 PM]

LUATAYLO@70: Thanks for the original context for the video of Hey Bulldog! Here is the part of Yellow Submarine they cut with that song, which has bee reinserted in its proper sequence on the DVD: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=G_fSLuWwS2c

[#72 posted by canadianstudmuffin , October 16, 2008 4:50 PM]

MY VERSION:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1z2YeT6Bm4

[#73 posted by lautaylo , October 16, 2008 8:09 PM]

@ Phikus, #71: Was so enthusiastically pleased at the scene's inclusion on the DVD release. I recall renting the VHS at the library and wearing it out. When I bought the CD soundtrack, I delighted in hearing a rare track (though it was a bit of a bummer that most of the album consisted of GM's orchestral arrangements), but was confused because I hadn't heard it in the movie. It was one of my first instances of noticing unnecessary censorship.

[#74 posted by Phikus , October 16, 2008 10:19 PM]

LAUTAYLO: I agree. Hey Bulldog was always my favorite cut from the LP and I was sad to find it missing from the movie as a kid. I was glad when it was finally restored. I have never heard any satisfactory explanation as to why it was cut.

[#75 posted by Takuan , October 16, 2008 10:39 PM]

gear!
Big man walking in the park
Wigwam frightened of the dark
Some kind of solitude is
measured out in you
You think you know but you haven't got a clue

[#76 posted by Takuan , October 16, 2008 10:44 PM]

third party messages`aside, it occurs to me; time.
Too busy for his time? Ringo, have you been told something?

[#77 posted by Phikus , October 17, 2008 12:37 PM]

TAKUAN: Nice message and good point. He looked frightened in the video. Perhaps he has gotten some bad news (I did not want to think, previously.)