The Beatles have one of their own members to thank for the group's introduction to country music. Paul McCartney reveals it was Beatle Ringo Starr who first introduced the Fab Four to the genre.
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"He always loved country from the first minute I met him," McCartney tells MOJO. "He liked the old country singers like George Jones and people like that, and he was a big fan of that. So I think, you know, maybe, it suits his personality. He's a very sincere, straightforward guy, and I think that's the sort of theme behind a lot of country music."
Starr was the Beatles' drummer. But as soon as the group split, Starr launched his solo career,
Like all of us, he wanted to continue in music. And besides country music, he's a big fan of old standards, so that's why he did Sentimental Journey as his first album. In fact, Starr's first solo album, Sentimental Journey, came out in March of 1970, two months before the Beatles' final Let It Be record.
"Like all of us, he wanted to continue in music," McCartney explains. "And besides country music, he's a big fan of old standards. So that's why he did Sentimental Journey as his first album.
McCartney credits Starr with the introduction to country music. But John Lennon says it was Buddy Holly who first piqued the group's interest about the genre.
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It might have taken 55 years, but Ringo Starr finally released his own country album. Look Up was released on January 10, 2025.
"I've always loved country music," Starr explains when announcing the project. "And when I asked T Bone to write me a song, I didn't even think at the time that it would be a country song - but of course it was, and it was so beautiful."
"I had been making EPs at the time and so I thought we would do a country EP - but when he brought me nine songs I knew we had to make an album! And I am so glad we did," he adds. "I want to thank, and send Peace & Love, to T Bone and all the great musicians who helped make this record. It was a joy making it and I hope it is a joy to listen to."
Not only did Starr release a country album, but in February, the former member of the Beatles also made his Grand Ole Opry debut.
