Friday, August 29, 2003 Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

He's Got the Beat

Former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr branches out with All Starr Band

Says Ringo: "I wouldn't have anyone in the band where there's competition, where someone is trying to be the big cheese. I have no need for that."

With John and George gone, the Beatles left on Earth sum to two: Paul and Ringo. Paul has just spun through a world tour. Ringo is back on the road with his All Starr Band.

This year's All Starr concert has Ringo (it doesn't sound right to call him by the journalistic second-reference, Starr) who will be playing Beatles tunes as well as his drumming on hits created by his All Starr bandmates: Colin Hay of Men at Work, singer John Waite, saxophonist Mark Rivera of Foreigner, Paul Carrack of Mike + the Mechanics, and Sheila E.

With the All Starr band headed to the Hard Rock on Saturday, Ringo takes a break from rehearsals to talk again about all things Ringo, in his loping, friendly, British tone.

Elfman: It surprised me when I went to your Web site. On the front it says, Ringo is sometimes considered the least Beatle, but he's put up with that.

Ringo: Well, it was John, Paul, George and Ringo, you know what I mean? I think that's what they mean.

Elfman: I asked Paul this last year: It must feel amazing that you can think that 200 years from now people will still be playing your music. There aren't that many people from the 20th century who can say that.

Ringo: No, I think it's fabulous. And you know the main word you said was "music." They play those records, and the records are still holdin' up. I think they will. That's one of the proud moments, is to be acknowledged for the music, not for our personalities, not for the ups and downs the band went through. It's the music. And the "1" album has proved the point. Thirty-odd million albums it sold. A lot of people knew nothing about us, just the music.

Elfman: As a critic, I listen to a lot of new CDs that are Beatles-influenced.

Ringo: Yeah, until the next CD you get from that band is different.

Elfman: Yeah, but there's no one else in the 20th century ...

Ringo: No, there is no one. We were the band, I'm afraid. That's how it is.

Elfman: Doesn't that seem crazy to you that you would achieve that accomplishment?

Ringo: Well, we weren't striving for that. We didn't wake up going, "We want to make music that will be listened to 200 years from now." We just went in the studio and did our best, and that's what happened.

Elfman: It just seems like every musician in the world would like to be able say, "I was in the greatest band of all time."

Ringo: Well, I'm afraid there was only four of them.

Elfman: I want to ask you, with George gone, it must seem too quick for John and George (to be dead).

Ringo: Well, John was extremely quick. It was in seconds. George, at least, we were having some warning. Still, when it came to the end, you're never ready. You think you're ready, but you're never ready. It was a sad and joyous day when George died. You know? And I lost physically a really good friend, but I have lots of memories.

Elfman: I've talked to a lot of drummers over the years who've told me how influential you were to them, and I know you get this question all the time, but do you still hear (your influence)?

Ringo: Yeah, I do. I still hear it, but you know, I mean, when the Beatles were around, there was so much of "he can't play." It got to me for a while, until I got to America, and everyone was telling me that, "Wow, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't play." I was talking to studio guys saying, "I just wanted to play like you." It turned my head around, actually.

Elfman: I want to ask you a little bit about the All Starrs.

Ringo: Colin Hay, Men at Work, "Who can it beeee now?" (He laughs.)

Elfman: What's the best thing about playing with the All Starrs?

Ringo: The best thing about the All Starrs is I get to play drums with all these incredible musicians. That's the deal. And they get the opportunity to play with me when I'm down front. ... I'm up there doing my bit, and then I get on the drums, and they all get their go, and then I'm back. It's just a lot of fun.

Elfman: How do you learn each others' songs?

Ringo: We're workin' all year. And then we take the break when we get to rehearsals. We all actually do some homework at home. I've been playin' Colin's tracks, and Paul Carrack's, and John Waite's stuff at home. Just sort of playing along with it, to get the feel of it. So we don't just arrive dry. And they've done the same.

Elfman: Do you have those moments when you say, "I wish I'd written that song?"

Ringo: Yeah, you wish you'd written that song, and you wish you were at home in bed. (He laughs.) Lots of different thoughts, I tell you.

Elfman: Is there a spirit of competition?

Ringo: No, there's never any competition. The deal with the All Starrs is I will support the All Starrs, and they'll support me, and we all support each other, ya know? I wouldn't have anyone in the band where there's competition, where someone is trying to be the big cheese. I have no need for that. Everyone is accomplished in this band, secure in their own talent, so it makes it easy.