Startling Music
Ringo Starr established Startling Music in 1968 to secure financial independence. He had spent years as a member of the Beatles, yet felt under-promoted by Northern Songs. The company was set up by publisher Dick James and manager Brian Epstein on behalf of the band in 1963. John Lennon and Paul McCartney drew a larger share of benefits from their contract. Starr and George Harrison were sometimes given second-class treatment. Their songs and interests found themselves under-promoted by the company. This inequality drove Starr to create his own publishing entity.
The ownership struggles within Northern Songs created deep resentment among the group members. When Northern Songs became a public company, Starr and Harrison received part-ownership shares. These shares together totaled about 1.8% of the venture. They also retained writer's royalties from published songs. This arrangement did not provide enough incentive for them to re-sign with Northern Songs. Lennon and McCartney owned about 15% each when they renewed their deal in 1968. Starr chose to leave rather than accept the existing terms. He followed Harrison's lead in establishing a new firm. Both men remained somewhat insulated when ATV bought out Northern Songs in 1969. They kept their minority voice while others cashed in their shares.
George Harrison started his own publishing company called Harrisongs at the same time. His move mirrored Starr's decision to gain control over his work. The two Beatles members acted strategically to protect their financial futures. Harrison teamed up with Starr on songs like Photograph later in their careers. Startling Music allowed Starr to operate independently from the Northern Songs structure. This parallel action ensured both musicians retained ownership of their catalogues. It prevented them from losing income streams during the ATV buyout. Their shared strategy proved effective against corporate consolidation attempts.
Startling Music managed royalties for Starr's solo hits and co-written material. The company published Don't Pass Me By and Octopus's Garden. These tracks came from the band's final albums. Starr wrote fewer songs than any other Beatle. His contribution often involved ideas for lyrics or themes. Occasional one-liners or titles such as A Hard Day's Night and Tomorrow Never Knows appeared in their work. Owning his own publishing gave Starr a sounder business footing. He earned a larger share of income than he had as a paid writer. Vini Poncia became a longtime collaborator who helped shape new material. Harrison continued to team up with Starr on various songs after the split.
Starr acquired publishing rights for his 1970 country album Beaucoups of Blues. This venture expanded the company's catalog into new genres. The second solo album marked a shift toward country and western music. Startling Music handled the rights to these specific recordings. The move diversified the firm beyond rock and pop compositions. It demonstrated Starr's willingness to explore different musical styles. The acquisition added depth to the company's existing portfolio. This strategic purchase ensured long-term revenue from the genre-specific tracks.
The early 1970s brought significant growth for the publishing firm. Starr released hit singles that drove commercial success. Two hit albums followed during this period. Both Starr and his company prospered financially. The string of successful releases validated the decision to leave Northern Songs. Revenue streams increased steadily throughout the decade. The firm maintained its position in the market. Business operations expanded alongside artistic output. The strategy of self-publishing proved highly effective for the drummer.
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Common questions
When did Ringo Starr establish Startling Music?
Ringo Starr established Startling Music in 1968 to secure financial independence from Northern Songs. The company was originally set up by publisher Dick James and manager Brian Epstein on behalf of the band in 1963.
Why did Ringo Starr create his own publishing entity instead of renewing with Northern Songs?
Ringo Starr created Startling Music because he felt under-promoted and received second-class treatment compared to John Lennon and Paul McCartney within Northern Songs. He chose to leave rather than accept terms that offered only about 1.8% ownership shares while others cashed out during the ATV buyout in 1969.
What songs did Startling Music publish for Ringo Starr?
Startling Music published Don't Pass Me By and Octopus's Garden which came from the Beatles final albums. The firm also managed royalties for Starr's solo hits and co-written material including his 1970 country album Beaucoups of Blues.
How much ownership did Ringo Starr receive when Northern Songs became a public company?
Ringo Starr received part-ownership shares totaling about 1.8% of the venture when Northern Songs became a public company. This arrangement did not provide enough incentive for him to re-sign with Northern Songs given that John Lennon and Paul McCartney owned about 15% each when they renewed their deal in 1968.
Who helped shape new material for Startling Music after Ringo Starr left Northern Songs?
Vini Poncia became a longtime collaborator who helped shape new material for Startling Music after Ringo Starr established the firm. George Harrison continued to team up with Starr on various songs following the split to protect their financial futures.