Happy Birthday to Ringo Starr, the oldest member of The Beatles. 82 years old, wow, Paul was just 80! He too is so admirable. Still touring, still has his droll sense of humor. I saw Ringo and his Allstar Band years ago when I still lived in NY. It was at Radio City Music Hall and I actually went to Ticketmaster and bought the tickets. I was able to get really good seats at a reasonable amount. We were right behind the VIP section, center, on the end, (was a handicapped designated seat). This was before cellphones and picture taking, but I vividly remember the evening.
I went with my fellow Beatle fanatic, S and she hired a limo to take us down. I loved the show. The standout to me at the time was seeing Sheila E. I knew her from being part of Prince’s entourage and knew she was talented but boy was I blown away! She was the only female in the all star lineup and she held her own! Ringo was personable and funny as I expected and sang his usual list of songs. The all stars were also good, though I don’t remember besides Sheila E. I do remember Bryan Adams because I was a fan and he had hits out at the time. All were well known musicians and the whole concert was one of the best I had been too.
I had recently been online and saw he was going to be at the Richmond Raceway in September. The tickets for a comparable seat to what I had at Radio City were over $300 each. I clicked and clicked and didn’t see any options for handicapped seating, (not to say that if I checked harder or found a phone # I might have found). Anyway, I’m too cheap to spend over $600 so I’ll miss out.
This brings me to another point. Recently Ringo came out with a new book of photographs taken by him, only sold through an auction house, again very expensive. About a month ago I was browsing in Home Goods, going through the clearance aisle and found his first book of photography, “Another Day in the Life, Ringo Starr.” The price was marked down to 5.99. I scooped it up. I enjoyed it but I couldn’t help but feel that they are just photographs, nothing artistic about them beyond the subjects.
This led me to thinking that he can get a book of photographs he’s taken because he is RINGO STARR, that says to me that just because your famous, opportunities are more likely to come your way. Anyhow it makes me think of famous people who write children’s books, just because they can, and become best sellers because of their celebrity status.
Just saying……. Anyway again, I regress, Happy 82nd Birthday to Ringo Starr, and thank you for continuing to bring us peace, love and music!!!!