Ringo Starr is gearing up for the release of his first album in six years, Look Up (Decca/UMG Nashville), set for January 10. The legendary drummer opened up about his love for country music, his ongoing connection to The Beatles, and the role of artificial intelligence in modern music creation.
At 84, Starr continues to make waves, most recently hitting a major milestone in November 2023 when The Beatles scored their 18th UK No.1 with “Now And Then,” the final song to feature all four members. The track, completed with the help of AI, not only gave the Fab Four their latest chart success but also cracked the Top 10 in the US. It is now nominated for Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
Reflecting on this achievement, Starr expressed his hope of adding more awards to his collection. “I’d love to win a Grammy. That’s the business I’m in – and the track is good. The last track ever by the boys,” he said.
The song was originally written by John Lennon and sung by him, then worked on by McCartney, Harrison, and Starr before finally being completed by McCartney and Starr after four decades. Starr recalled attempts to finish the song in the ’90s, but the effort faltered due to technical limitations and George Harrison’s reluctance. “We tried it in the ’90s when we got [1995 single] ‘Free As a Bird’ out, but we didn’t take much interest because it didn’t sound like John, and George got a bit fed up,” Starr said. “He didn’t want to do a third one and so we just put it to bed. But now they’ve got better equipment. They lifted John’s voice off a cassette – off a cassette! And it was like John was suddenly in town.”
In addition to his Beatles legacy, Starr’s upcoming album showcases his passion for country music, a genre that has long influenced his musical journey. Fans can expect a mix of his signature style with a fresh country twist when Look Up arrives next month.
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