NEW YORK -- Ringo Starr was 22 when he became the drummer for the Beatles. It was August 1962, before the Beatles became the world's most popular band.
Decades after the Beatles disbanded, Starr, 58, still finds it "a thrill every night" to play drums and sing with some of his favorite musicians.That's why Starr is on the road with his latest All-Starr Band -- there have been five in the past 10 years -- playing 30 dates in 22 U.S. cities. (Ringo Starr and the All-Starr Band will play the Dee Events Center in Ogden on Friday, March 12, at 7:30 p.m.)
Starr answered questions while the All-Starr Band was in New York for two concerts at the Beacon Theater.
Question: Why do you put together the All-Starr Bands?
Starr: I do it because I get to play with an incredible array of musicians. I personally have a lot of fun. We don't know if it'll work. We end up in rehearsals and pray to God it is going to happen. So far in the 10 years it has always worked.
Question: The next All-Starr Band live CD will be released in May. Are you disappointed that radio doesn't pick up your new material?
Starr: You'd like all radio stations to pick up on you. There's a lot of pressure on most stations just to play top 40s or oldies but goldies -- which I slip right into. There are still some DJs around, but they're being dictated to by the policy of the station. I must have had dinner with every radio station in America. They still don't play it (the new music). Maybe it's the food, I don't know.
Question: How did you feel when the Beatles came to New York the first time?
Starr: It was like this big octopus was coming up to bring the plane down; the energy was coming to get it. The kids were outside waiting for us. There was media madness going on. We had all these TVs on and radios on in the hotel. We could call a radio station and hear ourselves. It was incredible. It was the most exciting period of my life.
Question: How would you describe touring with the All-Starr Band?
Starr: It is not quite so crazy now. Touring is touring. The gig -- playing the show -- is the best thing you can do.
Question: When you recorded "(I Get by) With a Little Help From my Friends," did you think it would become an anthem or were you thinking of it only as an album track?
Starr: Just an album track. I didn't think, "Oh, in 1999 I'll be out touring with the All-Starrs singing it." At the time, you're just doing it. Other friends -- with their help -- have given me a career, really, these last 30 years.