July 30, 1966 – Drummer Ringo Starr handles the lead vocals for “Yellow Submarine,” which takes up one side of the newest Beatles single, set for release Aug. 5 in Great Britain. The flip side is “Eleanor Rigby.” The two songs are pulled from the group’s upcoming album “Revolver,” which is scheduled for release on…
Lost Beatles Top of the Pops Footage Discovered is one of the most exciting music history stories of recent years. As a lifelong fan of classic music documentaries and old television archives, I honestly never expected a major Beatles recording from 1964 to suddenly reappear after being considered lost for more than six decades. For…
For music historians and fans of rock and roll, certain addresses hold a sacred status. 20 Forthlin Road in Liverpool, Abbey Road Studios in St. John’s Wood, and, perhaps most famous of all, 3 Savile Row in London’s upscale Mayfair district. It was at this elegant Georgian townhouse that Apple Corps Ltd was headquartered, and…
As one of the four Beatles, Ringo Starr lived through the frenzy of Beatlemania and saw firsthand how fame could both elevate and destroy an artist. Decades later, the legendary drummer reflected on another musician whose complicated relationship with stardom defined his career and ultimately his tragic fate: Kurt Cobain, the frontman of Nirvana. In…
When you think of Billy Idol, images of spiky blonde hair, snarling vocals, and punk-fueled anthems like Rebel Yell or White Wedding come to mind. Given his ties to the Sex Pistols and the late-1970s punk explosion, one might assume his biggest inspirations came from Sid Vicious or Johnny Rotten. But Idol’s musical journey started…
Phil Collins, the legendary frontman of Genesis and one of the most celebrated drummers in rock history, has always been open about the musicians who shaped his career. While Collins has influenced countless artists ranging from Kanye West to Beyoncé, his own roots trace back to the groundbreaking work of The Beatles. From a young…
When it comes to songwriting, Bob Dylan is one of the most prolific and enigmatic figures in music history. During the 1960s, Dylan’s creativity seemed unstoppable—songs poured out of him so rapidly that some slipped into obscurity, forgotten in notebooks or casually handed over to friends. He gifted tracks to The Byrds, Ronnie Wood, Nico,…
Few modern drummers have achieved the legendary status of Dave Grohl. As the powerhouse behind Nirvana and the frontman of Foo Fighters, Grohl is celebrated both as a performer and songwriter. His thunderous energy behind the drum kit has made him one of the most recognizable drummers in rock history. But despite his own reputation,…
When it comes to drumming in The Beatles, Ringo Starr’s reputation has often been clouded by one of rock’s most famous — and false — quotes: “He isn’t even the best drummer in The Beatles.” Attributed to either John Lennon or Paul McCartney, the quip actually came from British comedian Jasper Carrott, but it has…
Even decades after The Beatles transformed the music world, Ringo Starr remains as passionate about music as ever. While he is often remembered as the steady, smiling drummer of the Fab Four, Starr’s love for music extends far beyond rhythm and percussion — it’s about the song as a whole. “I didn’t buy a record…