Skip to main content

Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band live in the shadow of The Beatles. In an interview, the “Back Off Boogaloo” singer explained the difference between the two groups. He only told half the story.

Ringo Starr said The Beatles and the All-Starr Band were centered on different things

During a 2021 interview with Vulture, the “You’re Sixteen” singer discussed the difference between the Fab Four and the All-Starr Band. “The Beatles were definitely a different part in my life,” he said. “I was in bands before The Beatles and then I was just there. Then it went mad, but we were making good music. 

“That’s the four of us — and I can speak on behalf of the four of us on this. It was always about the music,” the “Photograph” singer added. “We were serious about the music and it still shows to this day. You can still listen to our tracks and it’s not like, ‘Oh, this is some miserable stuff.’ It’s on. You know what I mean? It’s good. Every track you can be proud of. You could like different tracks better or less but musically, we did the best we could and it works. Now? It’s all about the peace and love, baby.”

Starr explained his current mindset while working with the All-Starr Band. “I’m 24 in my mind,” he laughed. “I think that helps. I’m sticking with the 24 number.”

Why The Beatles matter more than the All-Starr Band

I can think of two other big differences between The Beatles and the All-Starr Band. For one, the Beatles had a massive influence. The number of bands and solo artists who never would have picked up a guitar if not for The Beatles is incalculable. Much like Elvis Presley, The Beatles have had an influence on pop culture and music that is hard to overstate.

The Beatles are one of the quintessential bands, not just in rock ‘n’ roll, but in any genre. In a thousand years, people will still be listening to the Fab Four to try to understand what life was like in the mid-20th century. Aliens will understand that The Beatles were a huge part of the culture of earthlings. 

On the other hand, the All-Star Band is pretty easy to ignore. Most Beatles fans are vaguely aware of its existence but they cannot name a single original song by the group. When people see the All-Star Band live, it’s generally because it’s the only way to see Ringo perform.

Related

Disney Songwriters Wrote Ringo Starr’s Final No. 1 Song

Ringo Starr couldn’t recreate his success with the Fab Four

The other major way The Beatles differ from the All-Star Band is their commercial reception. The Beatles had 20 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100. The songs in question were “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Love Me Do,” “All You Need Is Love,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “She Loves You,” “Ticket to Ride,” “We Can Work It Out,” “Help!,” “Eight Days a Week,” “I Feel Fine,” “A Hard Day’s Night,” “Hello Goodbye,” “Hey Jude,” “Let It Be,” “Get Back,” “Penny Lane,” “Paperback Writer,” “Yesterday,” “The Long and Winding Road”/” For You Blue,” and “Come Together”/” Something.” That’s still impressive over 50 years later.

Meanwhile, zero songs by the All-Star Band have charted on the Billboard Hot 100. They haven’t even managed to become a one-hit wonder. That’s a shame.

Regardless of what Ringo thinks, the public prefers one of his groups over the other.

Best in Entertainment