Country for Old Men: News from Ringo Starr

Love, sport and vegetables. The ex-Beatle doesn’t need anything more to stay fit. Snacking on broccoli instead of chocolate obviously pays off, because Ringo still looks in good shape in the video for “Look Up”, a song from his album of the same name: he waves his hands around in it, sings about the sky and makes you look cool grandpa. It looks a bit awkward, but at 84 you have to perform like that (see video below).

Musically, the new record seems laborious, a bit dusty: It’s Country for Old Men. Don’t worry about it, because you shouldn’t judge a superstar who wants to earn some extra money in his retirement too harshly.

Country has always been a passion

“When I was a teenager and music was becoming more and more important to me, I heard country music for the first time and I immediately loved it,” remembers Ringo Starr. “I liked the emotions in it, this special way country singers tell their stories.” He has retained his great passion for the genre to this day.

Once, shortly after the Beatles’ breakup in 1970, the drummer and singer recorded an LP of country and western music in the country stronghold of Nashville. “Beaucoups Of Blues” – his second solo album ever – surprised everyone Ringo the Beatles fans back then. However, the change in style was not well received in Great Britain. Is things going better 55 years later with his 21st studio album? Rather not. “Look Up” is a routine, calm album. Quickly a bit irrelevant.