Ringo’s star still shines brightly
This week, Nation Easy Radio presenter Duncan Barkes writes about Ringo Starr, Paul Weller and Elvis Costello. Listen to Duncan every weeknight from 10pm on Nation Easy Radio on FM, DAB, via the Nation Player app and on your smart speaker – just say “Play Nation Easy Radio.”
Ringo Starr’s new album title is highly appropriate given his first chart success with The Beatles was sixty-four years ago in 1962 with their first hit ‘Love Me Do’.
‘Long, Long Road’ is his 22nd studio album and his second co-written and produced by T Bone Burnett. The album features collaborations with various acts including the magnificent title track which he sings with the sublime Sheryl Crow.
In a world where the word ‘legend’ is increasingly overused, Ringo truly fits the mould. Throughout his career he has received nine GRAMMY® Awards and has twice been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, first as a Beatle and then as a solo artist. Between 1970 and 2026, Ringo has released twenty-two solo studio records and five consecutive EPs, between 2020 and 2024. This is before you even consider his work with The Beatles which is well documented.
At 85 years old, he is still recording new music and working with some modern day musical greats – his new album is definitely worth your ears.
Another man who is standing the test of time is Paul Weller – the talent who brought us The Jam, Style Council and many excellent solo studio albums. For me, his 1995 solo album ‘Stanley Road’ was one of the best albums of that decade. His music will be celebrated at Chichester’s Assembly Room when Simply Weller hit the stage at 7.30pm on Saturday, 9 May.
My musical gem: Elvis Costello and The Imposters will be at the Portsmouth Guildhall on Friday, 26 June at 7pm. Tickets are selling fast, so do not delay. Elvis and his band will be performing his early songs such as ‘Alison’, ‘Pump It Up’ and ‘(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea. The support act is Chris Difford of the band Squeeze. It will be an evening not to miss!