The world’s most famous drummer chats to the Sunday Post about married life at 80, his other band, and Beatles reunion.
Your new book looks back on the last 30 years of The All Starr Band and its ever-evolving line-up including the Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh and fellow rocker Peter Frampton. What was it like to forge your own path after The Beatles?
The first band was like everything else – it’s brand new. And: “Oh, wow, it’s working”. And actually, people are coming to see it. That’s the good news. And I had a lot of great players. It gave me a chance to be down the front, Mr Personality, while playing the drums for all these other tracks. So, I won both ways.
You’ve been keeping yourself busy making new music with a star-studded guest list including fellow former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney. Has this helped you cope with lockdown?
I have a little guest house here (at home in Los Angeles) and it’s been my studio for the last 10 years. This time it was a little awkward because people were getting tested to come and play. Or, if they had a studio, they could play in their own place. So that took the pressure off the lockdown a little because I was drumming and singing and hanging out with musicians.
You’ve been married to Barbara Bach (a former Bond Girl) for 39 years. What’s the secret to your happy marriage?
I love the woman. I loved her from when I first saw her at LAX in 1980. She was at the airport with a boyfriend and I was at the airport checking in, and we happened to be going to Mexico to do the same movie. And that’s how it happened. Not like it was a big plan. It was just: “OK, here we go”. And we get on real well together, relax together. Of course, some days, I don’t do it properly. My room’s not tidy. I mean, regular s*** that goes down in any couple that has been together a long time. But I’m blessed she’s in my life.
You and Sir Paul took to the stage together in July 2019 at Dodger Stadium in LA. Is that something you’d consider doing again post-pandemic?
I loved that. We did it at the 02 (in London in 2018). Then he called me and he said: “I’m doing Dodger Stadium, if you want to do a few numbers.” Sure. So he picked three numbers. It’s magic for the audience as well as us. I love playing with him. The audience is like: “Oh, there’s two of them! Wow.” It lifts everything, in a joyous way. So, yeah, I had a great time. We’re still pals. We don’t hang out with each other a lot. But if we’re in the same country, and if we’re in the same town we always have a dinner, and we say hi or he comes over here or I go over to his house.”
Ringo Rocks: 30 Years Of The All Starrs is available from juliensauctions.com
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