Depending on your interests, the "big news" this week is: a) Lindsay Lohan is still an idiot, b) LeBron James is a ___ (reader's choice here), or c) Ringo Starr has turned 70 years old. I'll take the latter. The world is full of idiots and it seems like bad karma to give them any more of the spotlight. I can't comment on Mr. James at all. Maybe if somebody gave me 30 million dollars to do my job... would that challenge my concept of loyalty? It's not worth thinking about, to be honest.
Yeah, so as it turns out, rock stars aren't immune to the passage of time. Who knew? I tend to think of artists as being fixed at whatever their age was when I first became a fan. Springsteen is in his late 20s. Ringo is in his late 30s. An exception might be Tom Waits, who to my mind can't (or maybe shouldn't) be described by age.
In my head, I do know that this rock star age calculus is wrong. Still, I am sometimes surprised when I'm reminded of the reality of the situation. I guess I keep up the mental facade as a defense mechanism, allowing me to cope with the sad fact that their youth (and my own!) has passed by.
I've never really been comfortable with that "hope I die before I get old" thing. Some people think that rock stars should hang it up when they get to a certain age. Not me. As long as there are fans to be entertained...even a single one...then it's worth it. For the remaining members of the Beatles, the irrational part of me hopes time will slow down. I'm not their biggest fan, but the influence of their music is undeniable. They gave the world a big chunk of wonderment, and for that alone I am grateful.
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Article comments
1 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Yea, I'm quite amused at how much press Lohan is getting. You'd think she created something so important in her career that 3 months without her influence would cause a decay in America. She sucks, her movies suck and I don't know how she is still famous...
As for Lebron James, did Chicago complain when Jordan left for The Washington Wizards or is that not the same? Obviously, he is a great Basketball player and he wants something to show for it. Other than that, I could care less.
But, I agree with your sentiment about The Beatles as a band even though Ringo holds no special place in my heart as a drummer. Still, his Birthday is far more newsworthy than that other crap.
2 - Josh Hathaway
I would like to once again trumpet the REAL birthday boy of the week, Pinetop Perkins, who turned 97 the same day Ringo turned 70.
I actually have a soft spot for Ringo and always will. His musical contributions are more significant than many will admit. Check out his '73 solo record Ringo. It's among the best Beatle solo records. Retire, continue- I don't know. The lustre of what they accomplished continues to shine brightly.
3 - Kit O'Toole
I agree with Josh--Ringo is a great solo album. His latest, Y Not, is pretty strong as well. Ringo still looks fantastic, and I give him credit for still playing concerts and recording music because, let's face it, he doesn't really have to. He has established his legacy in rock. But seeing Paul and Ringo play "Birthday" still sends shivers down the spine.
4 - Sam Stinson
Happy birthday Ringo. I'm still a huge Beatles fan!
5 - The Parlez
Ringo looks great for 70, nice to see Macca turn up and rock out with him. These guys are the reason I make music. Legends.