Ringo (album)
Ringo Starr released the standards tribute Sentimental Journey and the country and western album Beaucoups of Blues in 1970. He issued the singles It Don't Come Easy and Back Off Boogaloo over 1971, 72, both produced by and co-written with his former Beatles bandmate George Harrison. Both of these singles were big successes and would ordinarily have inspired albums to support them, but Starr declined to follow through. He preferred to concentrate on acting during this period instead of recording new rock material. In early 1973, Starr decided that the time was right to begin his first rock solo album.
Recording started on the 5th of March 1973 upon Starr's arrival in Los Angeles at Sunset Sound Recorders. Sessions were produced by Richard Perry. Taking part in the sessions were Marc Bolan, four members of The Band, Billy Preston, Klaus Voormann, Nicky Hopkins, Harry Nilsson, Jim Keltner and James Booker. Additionally, Lennon, McCartney and Harrison all appeared on and composed material for Ringo. Harrison dropped by on the sessions on the 10th of March to see what kind of material Starr had recorded up to that point. He returned on the 12th of March and laid down backing vocals. Starr, John Lennon, and Harrison appear together on Lennon's I'm the Greatest, which was recorded on the 13th of March. Ten takes of the song were recorded in a session lasting approximately 18 minutes. British music magazine Melody Maker reported on the 17th of March that the session was a Beatles reunion. On the 16th of April, Starr went to Apple Studio in London to record Six O'Clock with Paul McCartney and his wife Linda.
Starr sent word to his musician friends to help him in his new venture and they all responded positively. The roster included Marc Bolan, four members of The Band except Richard Manuel, Billy Preston, Klaus Voormann, Nicky Hopkins, Harry Nilsson, Jim Keltner and James Booker. Harrison and Mal Evans were sharing a living space in Los Angeles when they wrote You and Me (Babe) after Evans asked Harrison to add music to a song which he was working on. McCartney played synthesizer and piano and sang backing vocals on the track Six O'Clock. McCartney also appears imitating a kazoo on You're Sixteen. Starr asked his chauffeur to buy some tap dancing shoes which Starr would use on Step Lightly. Overdubs were added at Sunset Sound Recorders throughout July. The album was mixed at Sunset Sound on the 24th of July.
Apple/Capitol Records released Ringo on the 2nd of November in the US, and on the 9th of November by Apple/EMI in the UK. The album peaked at number seven on the UK Albums Chart, number two on the US Billboard 200, and topped the Canada RPM national albums chart. It has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The album reached No. 1 in Canada, No. 7 in the UK, and No. 2 on the US Billboard 200 chart, denied the top position by Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Ringo peaked at No. 1 on America's other albums charts, however, in Cashbox and Record World. The album was certified gold in America on the 8th of November and in Britain a month after its release there.
On the 24th of September, Photograph was released as the album's lead single in the US, backed by Down and Out. Starr filmed a promo clip for the song at his Tittenhurst Park residence, although the film's only screening was on a single episode of BBC TV's Top of the Pops, which has since been lost. The single was issued a month later in the UK, on the 19th of October. You're Sixteen was released as the album's second single, backed with Devil Woman, in the US on the 3rd of December. In late December, on the 28th, Photograph went gold in the US. You're Sixteen acquired gold status in the US on the 31st of January 1974, and was released in the UK on the 8th of February, reaching No. 4. On the 18th of February, Oh My My was released as a single only in the US, backed with Step Lightly. After the singles became hits, Lennon sent Starr a telegram: Congratulations. How dare you? And please write me a hit song.
Ringo was critically well received. Loraine Alterman of The New York Times described it as an instant knockout... [a] sensational album. In his review for Rolling Stone, Ben Gerson said that, on one hand, Starr's limited artistry and the abundance of star guests made the album rambling and inconsistent. Yet in terms of atmosphere, Ringo is the most successful record by an ex-Beatle. It is not polemical and abrasive like Lennon's, harsh and self-pitying like Harrison's, or precious and flimsy like McCartney's, but balanced, airy and amiable. When Ringo was reissued on compact disc, the album included three bonus tracks: Starr's 1971 hit single It Don't Come Easy and its B-side Early 1970, as well as the B-side to Photograph, Down and Out. The CD was released in the UK on the 4th of March 1991, and in the US by Capitol on the 6th of May.
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Common questions
When was Ringo Starr's first rock solo album released?
Apple/Capitol Records released Ringo on the 2nd of November in the US and on the 9th of November by Apple/EMI in the UK. The album peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200 and topped the Canada RPM national albums chart.
Who produced the recording sessions for Ringo Starr's 1973 album?
Recording started on the 5th of March 1973 upon Starr's arrival in Los Angeles at Sunset Sound Recorders with sessions produced by Richard Perry. Taking part in the sessions were Marc Bolan, four members of The Band, Billy Preston, Klaus Voormann, Nicky Hopkins, Harry Nilsson, Jim Keltner and James Booker.
What date did John Lennon record I'm the Greatest with Ringo Starr and George Harrison?
Starr, John Lennon, and Harrison appear together on Lennon's I'm the Greatest which was recorded on the 13th of March. Ten takes of the song were recorded in a session lasting approximately 18 minutes.
Which singles from the Ringo album reached gold certification status in America?
Photograph went gold in the US on the 28th of December while You're Sixteen acquired gold status in the US on the 31st of January 1974. The album itself was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
How many bonus tracks were included when Ringo was reissued on compact disc?
When Ringo was reissued on compact disc the album included three bonus tracks: Starr's 1971 hit single It Don't Come Easy and its B-side Early 1970 as well as the B-side to Photograph Down and Out. The CD was released in the UK on the 4th of March 1991 and in the US by Capitol on the 6th of May.