From its beginnings in the 1950s, rock 'n' roll music has celebrated youth culture. Many musicians started performing for audiences in their late teens or early twenties, and gained fans even younger. Living until old age was not a thought on their minds. The Who even sang in "My Generation" in 1965: "I hope to die before I get old."
A reckless lifestyle associated with the cliche of "sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll" did not lend itself to long lives. Car and plane crashes, drug overdoses, suicides, even homicides, were among the factors that ended musicians' lives, many while they were still in their prime. Others have faced casualties that come with the territory: losing their hearing, voice or both. However, some aging musicians apparently have been able to extend their lives and careers by becoming more conscious of their health. They can afford to hire personal trainers and personal chefs. Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, 79, kicked a 55-year smoking habit three years ago and is not ready to kick the bucket; he performed recently at Willie Nelson's 90th birthday party. Mike Love, 82, the only original member of the Beach Boys still performing as the band, does yoga
Some other musicians have joined Love in the exclusive Octogenarian Rockers Club and are not ready to ascend into Rock and Roll Heaven. Among them is drummer Ringo Starr, one of two surviving members of the Beatles. At 82, Ringo is still going on tour with his All Starr Band and is scheduled to appear Tuesday evening at Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, Arizona.
I bought a ticket for the concert in part because the venue is only about 11 miles away and I realize it might be my first — and last — opportunity to see Ringo perform. I saw his late bandmate George Harrison during his Dark Horse tour in 1974 — four years after the band split — at the Fabulous Forum in Inglewood, California. He died at age 57 in 2001. Ringo and Paul McCartney, 80, are still with us. A bullet from a crazed fan felled ex-Beatle John Lennon at age 40 in 1980.
Besides producing records and touring in his solo career, Ringo has appeared in commercials and films. However, a large part of the appeal of Ringo and Sir Paul remains their identity with the Beatles. I'm old enough at age 67 to remember when the Beatles arrived in America in 1964. Intellectuals at the time attributed part of their immense popularity to filling a void created by the assassination a few months earlier of a young, handsome charismatic president, John F. Kennedy, who was two decades older.
The Beatles brought an original sound, had a unique ear for infectious melodies, and were cute, charming and witty. Fascination with their music came to be known as Beatlemania and they ushered in the British Invasion to America. Other bands from across The Pond followed, including the Rolling Stones, The Who, the Kinks, the Yardbirds, Herman's Hermits, Gerry and the Pacemakers and the Animals. And the Beatles evolved over the years by growing facial hair, writing more complex music, taking LSD and seeking virtual guidance in India. They used exotic instruments such as the sitar and played with a full orchestra on “A Day in the Life” from the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band LP.
As the drummer, Ringo occasionally was the lead singer and wrote some songs for the Beatles. He had an affinity for country music for years and even paired in a video for "Act Naturally" with the late Buck Owens of the Bakersfield sound. He injected humor in his country song "Don't Pass Me By" from the White Album: "I'm sorry that I doubted you/I was so unfair/You were in a car crash/And you lost your hair."
I tried to arrange a quick phone interview with Ringo in advance. Concert promoter Danny Zelisko Presents responded immediately via email by being polite—and noncommittal. Sadly, Ringo did not ring me and call my name.
As the alternative, I reached out to two musicians to get their take on how Ringo influenced them: Palm Springs High School classmate Kelly Heldenbrand, and Dylan Farnsworth, a member of the marching band at Chino Valley (Arizona) High School. Kelly said in an email (edited for brevity and style) that he played snare drum in his elementary school band and saved money to buy his first drum kit when he attended junior high school. He began to follow two professional drummers: Ringo and big band musician Buddy Rich, whose daughter attended the same high school.
"How cool was he, sitting up on that drum riser, keeping beat while John, Paul and George fronted the band," Kelly wrote. "I imagined myself up there, keeping beat while the girls screamed for more. Fast forward to today. I play drums in a classic rock band, Ghosts of Kelso. When we play Beatles tunes, I simulate Ringo's beat as close as possible. I've seen Ringo in concert with his All Starr Band. Quite a show! Who in their right mind wouldn't want to be in his shoes today? Based on his longevity, he's now the richest drummer in the world and he's married to Barbara Bach, former Bond girl and actress.
"I keep practicing, hoping to one day be called up to the 'big leagues,' and sit in for Ringo on one of his tours. Pipe dream,” Kelly concluded.
Dylan plays drums on weekend nights at the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza in Prescott, Arizona. He is about the same age as Kelly was when we met in high school and has ambitions of becoming a professional drummer. When he was much younger — about age 5 — Dylan recalled listening to Ringo. "I always liked his drumming: the rhythm, I guess. Just the drum sound."
I'll lend Ringo my ears Tuesday night and hope he tries not to sing out of key.
Hey..ken enjoyed ur piece...great read....keep up the good work...an remember " don't pass me by "