FEATURE:
Not Any Tom, Dick and Harry
Ringo Starr’s Beats & Threads, and Another Important Year for The Beatles
_________
I have been thinking about The Beatles…
IN THIS PHOTO: The Beatles (left to right: Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison) in an iconic Paris pillow fight shot from 1964/PHOTO CREDIT: Harry Benson
a lot recently. I think about The Beatles a lot all of the time. Whilst most of my neutral brain is dedicated to Kate Bush, I often have The Beatles in the background. Often, these two worlds intereact and I wonder why Kate Bush and Ringo Starr never did anything together, as they share a lot of musical and spiritual DNA. Same of her and George Harrison. Bush met and worked alongside Paul McCartney, though she did not have a lot of exposure to the other band members (once, Kate Bush said her favourite Beatles album was Magical Mystery Tour, so she appreciated the trippy and deeper cuts). You might be forgiven by being confused by the first part of the title. Tom, Dick, and Harry is used as a placeholder for unknown or unextraordinary people. In the context of Ringo Starr, the ‘Tom’ refers to a tom-tom; a crucial part of percussion kit. The ‘Dick’ is a distillation and alternative to Richard (Ringo Starr’s real name is Richard Starkey). The ‘Harry’ is a little more obscure: Harry Benson’s early-1964 photos of The Beatles in the storm of Beatlemania have their sixtieth anniversary coming. In fact, and before I get to the main objective of this feature, 2024 is another big year for Beatles fans – though, I guess every year is in some way! 1964 was a massively important year for the band. On 9th February, John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney made their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in the U.S. and, with it, ignited a fire of screaming and passionate fandom/obsession! On 10th July, the band released their third studio album, A Hard Day’s Night. The first album of entirely oriignal compositions, the film of the same name came out in the U.K. on 6th July, 1964. With the release of The Beatles’ final single, Now and Then, last year, there is still plenty to look forward to in terms of anniversaries and various bits!
There is cynicism and cries of cash-grab when we get a Beatles reissue and remaster. Whether it is the iconic ‘red’ and ‘blue’ albums coming back out or a new book about them, there is sceptical reaction from some. It can be expensive being a Beatles fan! I would say that the books that come from Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are essential. Personal perspective and very special releases that we need to keep and cherish. We are blessed they are both still with us. Any music legend like them, Joni Mitchell or Paul Simon. Those who were around in the 1960s and 1970s and changed the face of music. When it comes to the most important element of music history, I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say that Ringo Starr’s drums were up there. Maybe the most important part of music history. As the driving force and, let’s face it, the heart of the band – in terms of the respect from the other members, and the fact he is such a special human -, anything he comes out with is alright by me! Starr announced on his Instagram that a new album is coming out. A Country-themed album that was meant to be an E.P. but is not a ten-track release (an E.P., Crooked Boy, is also coming out, with the tracks are written by Linda Perry). Also, a book that looks very exciting, Beats & Threads, is one I feel should have a wider release. I shall explain why. Here is some more information:
“Beats & Threads, a new limited-edition retrospective hardcover by legendary Beatles drummer and global music icon Ringo Starr, is to be sold exclusively by the publishing division of Julien’s Auctions, the industry’s leading Rock ‘N’ Roll memorabilia auction house. Ringo’s latest publication is an unprecedented chronicle of over 70 years of his legendary sonic and sartorial style, dedicated to his historic drum kits and era-defining garments that made music and fashion history.
Featuring nearly 300 images capturing iconic and many never-before-seen intimate moments of Ringo’s illustrious life and career, along with the musician’s warm memories told in his own words, this immense tribute to the enduring influence and time-transcending impact of the Fab Four member is a ticket to ride through fashion and Beatles history, and gets back to why Ringo’s trend-setting threads were as signature as the beat of his drums.
The 312-page book is available for purchase exclusively online at www.juliensauctions.com. Exclusive limited editions of the commemorative hardcover book with a special colour cover of the Beatles signed by Ringo Starr are available for $500, and exclusive Ringo Starr signed limited editions of the book housed in a special designed slip-case that also includes an exclusive video of Ringo Starr will be available for $750..
All proceeds of the book sales will benefit The Lotus Foundation whose mission funds supports, participates in and promotes charitable projects aimed at advancing social welfare in diverse areas including, but not limited to substance abuse, cerebral palsy, brain tumors, cancer, battered women and their children, homelessness, and animals in need.
Comprehensive
Ringo, in collaboration with noted historian, author, speaker, drummer, and vintage drum collector, Gary Astridge, offers for the first-time the most comprehensive look at his legendary Beatles-era drum kits in a book containing decades of research-based information with curated and detailed photographs of these pieces of music history.
Accompanied by archival documentation including drum specifications, contracts with drum making companies such as Ajax Edgware, music engagement schedules and more, the book uncovers new perspectives and untold stories of Ringo’s and the Beatles’ musical and style evolution, such as the remarkable revelation of The Beatles’ “Drop-T” logo and its actual creator, Eddie Stokes that includes the only photo that exists of the late freelance sign painter of one of the most recognisable logos in the world.
Nine of Ringo’s original drum kits are presented here featuring his 1958 Ajax Edgware drum kit, 1960 Premier Mahogany Duroplastic, 1963 Ludwig Downbeat Drum kit, 1963 Oyster Black Pearl Ludwig Jazz Festival Snare Drum– considered one of his most important and utilized instrument in Ringo’s assortment of drums throughout his Beatles career and heard on most of their recordings.
Instrumental
Alongside this treasure trove of information are pages bursting with dazzling images of Ringo’s iconic clothing worn playing behind his drums, his life off and on the road, in studio and at home. From the early influence of the Beatles manager and father figure, Brian Epstein, who was instrumental in creating their early modern look of the Beatles’ iconic three-piece black suit designed by Douglas Millings and Beatle Boots to the Fab Four’s individual and most photographed styles, such as Ringo’s “Hey Jude” green pinstripe three-piece ensemble worn in the filming of their iconic performance filmed at Twickenham Film Studios on August 4, 1968, to his custom-made embellished “All You Need is Love” lavender silk tunic, these photographs capture the decades’ spirit and the Beatles phenomenon.
Ringo’s unforgettable and inimitable style was created by the designers who crafted these artisanal pieces from London’s most distinguished designers on Savile Row to King’s Road, Chelsea to the hippie floral shirts and bold colour jackets from the Hung on You boutique as well as Ringo’s insouciant choice of wearing then-wife Maureen’s red vinyl raincoat to protect himself from the inclement weather in the Beatles’ 1969 mythic Apple Studios rooftop performance of the filming of Let It Be.
“I enjoyed getting it together with the help of Gary, Scotty and Julien’s and I hope you enjoy it too! Peace and love, Ringo,” said Ringo Starr.
The release of the book coincides with Beatlemania back on top of the charts with the recent record-breaking release of the Beatles’ final song Now and Then making history and Peter Jackson’s acclaimed Get Back documentary that continues to be seen by millions of fans around the world since its premiere on Disney+. In 2023, Ringo went back on the road with a 34th anniversary tour with his All-Starr Band, released Rewind Forward, his fourth EP release in three years that includes the track Feeling the Sunlight with Paul McCartney and collaborated with McCartney on Dolly Parton’s cover of the Beatles’ Let It Be”.
It is great that this book has come out. It would be great if it was made widely available to fans, as it seems like one of the most important books that has been put out about the band. It is noble that money is being raised for Lotus Foundation - though I wonder if it going to be at high street stores soon. Not only is the fashion of Ringo Starr and The Beatles iconic. His kits and knowing more about his drum set-up gives a greater understanding of the songs and his genius. Rather than it being a gallery and something you can browse, there is an immersive quality to Beats & Threads. Released on 24th November, 2023, the fact Ringo Starr has just promoted the book on his Instagram makes me wonder whether Beats & Threads is still available (I cannot find any copies listed at the moment) I was sort of hoping that there would be interview from Matt Everitt and Ringo Starr. A BBC Radio 6 Music promotion of this important and fascination collection of photos. As I am writing this on 3rd February, I am not 100% sure one hasn’t been recorded. We are marking sixty years of Beatlemania, so I feel greater accessibility to archives and books like Beats & Threads is important. Paul McCartney’s 1964: Eyes of the Storm is a book everyone should get. Snapshots from Paul McCartney and his unique perspective of the mayhem and chaos that greeted The Beatles as they travelled to Paris, the U.S. and beyond. Hearing from Ringo Starr is always a pleasure, so I am looking forward to new music. I was really intrigued by the book, Beats & Threads, and it would be awesome to own it. Regular copies of the book are, I understand, were available for $80 so, if there was another round of release where one could buy the book but proceeds went to charity, then it would give even more fans a chance to own it. I am keeping an eye out in terms of the book’s availability and whether it is the signed copies available or regular ones. Incredible insight and photography from, to me, the world’s most important drummer. If the amazing Ringo Starr put Beats & Threads back into the world, then his millions of adoring fans would offer him…
PEACE and love.