Happy Birthday Ringo

Born RICHARD STARKEY on July 7, 1940, today is RINGO STARR's 66th birthday.





Our birthday celebration starts with a 30-second anti-drug radio spot that Ringo recorded back in 1973, warning us that "dangerous drugs are not an escape, they're a trap", while the drum break from "The End" plays.

Then we go to the March 1973 rehearsal sessions for "I'm The Greatest", the JOHN LENNON song that would lead off Ringo's excellent RICHARD PERRY-produced LP "Ringo". These rehearsals feature Lennon on piano and vocals, Ringo on drums, GEORGE HARRISON on guitar, and KLAUS VOORMAN on bass. (On the finished recording, Ringo would sing lead, with BILLY PRESTON on organ.)

We wrap things up with a 1987 outtake from an abandoned Ringo LP - Ringo's version of the ARTHUR ALEXANDER classic (previously covered by the ROLLING STONES) "You Better Move On".

RINGO STARR RADIO SPOT

I'M THE GREATEST (REHEARSAL PART 1)

I'M THE GREATEST (REHEARSAL PART 2)

I'M THE GREATEST (REHEARSAL PART 3)

I'M THE GREATEST (REHEARSAL PART 4)

YOU BETTER MOVE ON (1987)

Happy birthday Ritchie!