What's My Name Ringo Starr

• 1 Gotta Get Up To Get Down 04:20
• 2 It's Not Love That You Want 03:34
• 3 Grow Old With Me 03:20
• 4 Magic 04:09
• 5 Money 02:56
• 6 Better Days 02:49
• 7 Life Is Good 03:11
• 8 Thank God For Music 03:39
• 9 Send Love Spread Peace 02:59
• 10 What’s My Name 03:45
• Total Runtime 34:42

Info for What's My Name

Ringo Starr announced his 20th studio record, What's My Name, to be released on October 25, 2019. What's My Name is the latest in a series of heartfelt and homespun records that Starr has produced in his home studio and a distinguished, ever-changing yet often repeating cast of musical characters and friends playing along with Ringo. Those friends include Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh, Edgar Winter, Dave Stewart, Benmont Tench, Steve Lukather, Nathan East, Colin Hay, Richard Page, Warren Ham, Windy Wagner, Kari Kimmel and more (full track and credit list below).

For Ringo, recording at home, known as Roccabella West, has become a welcome and productive way of life. "I don't want to be in an old-fashioned recording studio anymore, really," Starr explains. "I've had enough of the big glass wall and the separation. We are all together in here, whoever I invite over. This is the smallest club in town. And I love it, being at home, being able to say hi to Barb, it's just been good for me and the music."

With the help of the many familiar faces appearing on the album and in the credits, as well as Bruce Sugar recording and mixing, What's My Name reflects Ringo desire to keep his homemade music feeling fresh and vital, whether by introducing new collaborators, like songwriter Sam Hollander, or by being more open to recording songs he has not written, co-written or in one case, even produced. "Sam Hollander's people got to Bruce Grakal, my lawyer, and said, "Sam would like to say hi to Ringo." So I told Sam to come over. After we wrote a song together, "Thank God For Music." Then Sam called and said, "I think I may have another song," so I said, "Let me hear it." He had written it all. He had written a song out of things I said in an interview in Rolling Stone. I loved the sentiment of it – he had one verse about spending too much time in hospitals, but I didn't want to even sing that verse – the pity verse. Sam came over and I put the vocals on, and said, `You produce this one,' but Sam said, "Well, you're going to do drums." So, I went in and played it through twice." I like two takes. And he took "Better Days" away and did it."

The new album's title track and first single -- "What's My Name" -- is a rousing anthem written by a returning All-Starr Band member this past summer, Colin Hay, that turns a familiar chant from Ringo's live shows into a rousing rocker sure to be a future crowd-pleaser. "This was Colin Hay's fourth time in the All-Starr Band, and a friend told me that, unbeknownst to me, Colin wrote a song years ago called, "What's My Name." I said, "Bring it up to the house and let's hear it." Later I heard, Colin couldn't find it! He'd written the song down six years ago and put it in this pile or that pile. But it ended up at the bottom of the drawer. So, Colin came over and played it for me, and I LOVED it. I loved the verses. I loved the sentiment. In all honesty, there's not a lot of people who could get away with asking, "What's my name?" in a song. If you've been to the show, you already know the title. I'm blessed that most things coming my way are peace and love. There are still always trials and tribulations. But I just feel in life, the sun shines this way. I'm blessed. I always have the same talk – an audience can be tortured. We give them everything we've got. We give each other everything we've got. And sometimes it's not enough. But most nights it's everything. I'll play the best I can for you. And you play the best you can for me. That's all I can ask."

Yet the emotional centerpiece of What's My Name is Starr's deeply felt version of "Grow Old With Me" by his late great friend John Lennon. This is a performance for the ages, one made all the more powerful and moving when we realize that Ringo is blessed to be still living the dream of growing older with the one he loves in a way that his beloved friend John was imagining with Yoko when he wrote this song in the years before his tragic death. As Starr rightly notes with a warm smile, "I'm still living that dream."

For Ringo, the inspiration to record "Grow Old With Me" now came when he ran into noted record producer Jack Douglas who had produced John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Double Fantasy album, among other classic recordings.

"Jack asked if I ever heard The Bermuda Tapes, John's demos from that time," Ringo recalls. "And I had never heard all this. The idea that John was talking about me in that time before he died, well, I'm an emotional person. And I just loved this song. I sang it the best that I could. I do well up when I think of John this deeply. And I've done my best. We've done our best. The other good thing is that I really wanted Paul to play on it, and he said yes. Paul came over and he played bass and sings a little bit on this with me. So John's on it in a way. I'm on it and Paul's on it. It's not a publicity stunt. This is just what I wanted. And the strings that Jack arranged for this track, if you really listen, they do one line from "Here Comes The Sun." So in a way, it's the four of us."

What's My Name is filled with other stand out collaborations and inspirations – starting with the opening track, the rocking "Gotta Get Up To Get Down", which Starr co-wrote with his brother in law and long-time musical partner Joe Walsh. "I've been making music with Joe long before we became brothers," Ringo said. "And we were having dinner with Klaus Voorman months ago, and for whatever, I said, "Well, you've got to get up to get down." Joe and looked at each other and said, "We know that's the title, so let's write a song about it. "That's how it is."

"Edgar Winter's part on this track is just incredible. Edgar's always incredible, but he out does himself in my book." Additional tracks include: "It's Not Love That You Want;" "Magic" co- written with his long time All-Starr Steve Lukather. "I wrote that with Steve Lukather, who is magic. I made a mistake of telling Steve, "You're my last best friend," and so that how we're live now. And he's a beautiful guy. He sometimes puts out a hard shell, but he is so soulful. We work well together. And he's even better when he's not playing a thousand notes a minute – which he can. He's the man. I love the man. Don't tell him. Sometimes Steve's so happy playing with me, I say, "You're having too much fun."

A cover of the classic "Money (That's What I Want);" "Send Love, Spread Peace" and "Life Is Good," which was inspired by the book written by the optimistic apparel company of the same name founded by Bert & John Jacobs. "I went to receive my honor at the Paley Center last year and I was wearing a hat that said, "Life is Good." I liked the sentiment. And the guys from the Life is Good organization sent me t-shirts and a book, and Gary and I noticed that. And that's how we wrote it. If we have a title, we just go."

What's My Name – to that question writer David Wild mused, What's In A Name?

In the spectacular and singular case of Ringo Starr, what's in his name is an enduringly fabulous lifetime of music & meaning, and yes, Peace & Love that all comes through loud and clear on Ringo's latest album, What's My Name.

Yes, there's more than half a century of illustrious history in Ringo's name. Yet what makes all that mean so much here and now is that the artist formerly known as Richard Starkey keeps earning his excellent and beloved name all over again, every time that he takes the stage with one of his All-Starr Bands and whenever he releases new music.

In the best way possible, drumming remains Ringo's madness, and keeps him moving forward in time. As Starr remembers affectionately, "When I was a teenager, my mom always said, "Son, you're at your happiest when you're playing." And it's still true to this day. I'm blessed. I had a dream back when I was thirteen, and just last night I played with all my friends at the Greek, and I've been putting together All-Starr bands for 30 years. And it's still a thrill."

Ringo Starr

Recorded and mixed by Bruce Sugar
Recorded at Roccabella West Studio, United Recording
Produced by Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr
Ultimately what’s most impressive about Ringo Starr isn’t what he's been, but rather who he is,” wrote Rolling Stone rock critic David Wild. “The man’s great heart and soul, his wit and wisdom.” Ironically, the story of Ringo’s evolution from former Beatle to successful solo artist is still best told from the beginning.

“When I was thirteen I only wanted to be a drummer”, remembers Ringo, and four years later at age seventeen, he joined the Eddie Clayton Skiffle Band. In 1959, Ringo hooked up with the Raving Texans, which later became Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. In 1962, while playing a summer gig with Rory, Ringo was asked to join the Beatles. Worried that he might cost his bandmates the summer gig if he left, Ringo delayed his departure until after they found themselves a replacement, and on August 18, 1962, Ringo officially became a Beatle.

As everyone knows, the Beatles went on to become the world’s most popular band, but it wasn’t until that chapter of Ringo’s life was ending that his transcendence to the beloved artist he is today – was just beginning.

In 1970, Ringo released his first solo record, entitled Sentimental Journey, which was exactly that – a sentimental record capturing the music he grew up with (he later said “I did it for my Mum”). The following year Ringo released Beacoups of Blues, a country and western album that he recorded with Pete Drake in Nashville in just 2 days. That same year, the Beatles broke up.

Ringo’s passion for creating music continued to propel him forward, and in 1971 he began his unprecedented run as the first solo Beatle to score 7 consecutive Top 10 singles starting with the release of It Don’t Come Easy, with a B side of Early 1970. His second hit single, Back Off Boogaloo/Blindman followed in 1972, and was written with and inspired by T Rex frontman Marc Bolan. Then, in 1973, Ringo released his self titled smash hit Ringo, which yielded 3 Top 10 singles, including the number one hits, Photograph/Down and Out, and You’re Sixteen/Devil Woman. Ringo also marked the first time since the breakup that all the Beatles participated in the same project, though not at the same time.

Between the years 1974-1978 Ringo continued to release more hits, including the top ten singles, Only You/Call Me, and No No Song/Snookeroo, and the albums: Goodnight Vienna 1974; Blast From Your Past 75; Rotogravure 76; Ringo The 4th 77; and in 1978 Bad Boy which included a television special with Art Carney and Carrie Fisher.

In 1981 Starr recorded Stop and Smell the Roses, his most critically acclaimed record since Ringo, followed by Old Wave in 1983 where he teamed up with producer Joe Walsh. Ringo’s greatest hits collection; Starr Struck – Best Of Ringo Starr Vol. 2 – was released in 1989.

The 90’s saw Starr release some of the best records of his career, and he also found consistent success as a live act with his revolving All Starr Band. The concept for the All Starr Band was first presented in 1989. “I got a message from a guy named David Fishof asking if I’d be interested in putting a band together. I had been thinking the same thing – and so I went through my phone book rang up a few friends and asked them if they’d like to have fun in the summer” Those friends included Eagle Joe Walsh; E-Streeters Clarence Clemmons and Nils Lofgren; former Band members Rick Danko and Levon Helm; Dr. John, Billy Preston and Jim Keltner.

The tour met with great success and yielded Ringo’s first live album, released on Rykodisc in 1990 titled simply, Ringo and His All Starr Band. “I’ve said this over and over again, but I love being in a band”, says Ringo.

In 1992 Ringo released Time Takes Time (Private Music) and the New York Times hailed it as “Starrs best: more consistently pleasing than Ringo, it shows him as an assured performer and songwriter.” Later that same year Ringo put together his second All Starr Band which featured Burton Cummings, Dave Edmunds, Nils Lofgren, Todd Rundgren, Timothy B Schmidt, Zak Starkey, and Joe Walsh. This line up also featured Ringo’s son Zak, who joined him on drums, and was the first time Ringo had toured Europe since the Beatles. The 2nd All Starr Band also yielded the release; Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band – Live From Montreaux.

Ringo’s 3rd All Starr Band in 1995 toured the US and Japan, and again featured Zak Starkey as well as John Entwistle, Felix Cavaliere, Mark Farner, Billy Preston, Mark Rivera and Randy Bachman. In 1997 he released Ringo Starr And His Third All Starr Band Vol. 1 – and also assembled his 4th All Starr band: Gary Brooker, Jack Bruce, Peter Frampton, Simon Kirke, Mark River. They toured the US, Europe, and in 1998 joined Ringo as he became the first former Beatle to play in Russia.

1998 heralded the release of Vertical Man (Mercury), which was recorded with Mark Hudson, and marked the first collaboration with Ringo and “the Roundheads”. It was one of Starr’s strongest records – due largely to his deep involvement as drummer, singer, co-writer and co-producer. This was followed by an appearance at New York’s Bottom Line and then on VH1’s StoryTellers, which saw Ringo and the Roundheads performing an assortment of his greatest hits including It Don’t Come Easy; Photograph; Back off Boogaloo and Don’t Pass Me By. The performance was later released as a CD of the same title, StoryTellers (Mercury).

1999 began with the creation of the 5th All Starr Band (February 12th – March 29th) which consisted of Gary Brooker, Jack Bruce, Timmy Cappello, Simon Kirke, Todd Rundgren.

In October 1999 Ringo released the irrepressibly festive, I Want To Be Santa Claus (Mercury), which was a mix of classics (The Little Drummer Boy) and originals (I Wanna Be Santa Claus).

The 6th All Starr Band was launched in 2000, and was made up of Jack Bruce, Eric Carmen, Dave Edmunds, Simon Kirke, Mark Rivera. They toured the States May 12th – July 1st. The following Spring, (2001), Ringo put together the 7th All Starr Band, which featured the first female All Starr – Sheila E – as well as Greg Lake, Roger Hodgson, Ian Hunter, Howard Jones, Mark Rivera. Then on July 24 2001, Ringo celebrated over a decade of All Starr Tours with the release of Ringo and His All Starr Band The Anthology, So Far….(Koch).

In March 2003 The Roundheads launched the release of Ringo Rama (Koch) with another impromptu performance at New York’s Bottom Line.

"There is a lot of me in these songs," Starr told rock critic David Wild. "As time goes on, my personality is coming out more and more in the music. That’s just what happens. On this album my drumming is more dynamic, I’m more to the front, I think I’m singing better and I believe we’re writing better songs. All the touring helps because then you’re keeping your chops up. I suppose I had a long time off and now I’ve had a long time on."

David goes on to describe Ringo Rama as “a grown-up thrill ride, (it) lovingly and at times movingly celebrates yesterday and today. This is a song cycle that appropriately acknowledges the former Beatle’s illustrious past but at the same time powerfully insists on the paramount importance of living and loving here and now. Ringo Rama would be a fine album without any of its back story. Yet coming from Starr, it feels in a sense like the album of a lifetime.”

Later that same year Ringo and Mark Hudson announced the formation of their label Pumkinhead Records, and signed their first artist, Liam Lynch. Finally, 2003’s 8th All Starr Band hit the road with Paul Carrack, Sheila E., Colin Hay, Mark Rivera, John Waite. This tour resulted in another live CD, Tour 2003 (Koch), and a soon to be released DVD.

“For me it works as a great formula, it’s just really a great way for me to do it,” Ringo said about the All Starr experience. “If you look at all the bands I’ve put together, its an incredible array of musicians, all these different people. Everyone has hit records, hit songs. The show consists of me upfront and then I go back behind the kit and support the others. It’s just good music and I’m having a lot of fun and that’s what it all about – great music and fun.”

In 2004 Genesis books announced a limited edition print run of Postcards From The Boys, the proceeds of which went to the Lotus Foundation Charity. Ringo described the book as a “presentation of postcards John, Paul and George have sent me over the years. What’s incredible about them is that some are actual art pieces that would only ever have been sent to Ringo.”

To date Ringo has released 23 solo records, which includes 14 studio albums, and continues to tour regularly with his All Starr Band. Ringo’s music, as a solo artist and as a Beatle, is permeated with his personality – his warmth and humor, his exceptional musicianship – have given us songs we all know and love: With A Little Help From My Friends; Don’t Pass Me By; Octopus’ Garden; Photograph; It Don’t Come Easy; Don’t Go Where the Road Don’t Go; La De Da; Memphis in Your Mind; Never Without You. Fans will be happy to know that Ringo is currently back in the studio with The Roundheads, and they can expect a new record and another All Starr Tour in 2005.

This album contains no booklet.