Ringo on the Breakup of the Beatles 1977 Interview

[@martins.7060]

"There were three frustrated drummers and I couldn't play guitar." You were the rock Ringo and don't you ever forget it.

[@karaamundson3964]

There are probably 200 million people who put Ringo somewhere in the backswamps of WORLD'S GREATEST DRUMMERS. But the guy could work absolute wonders with his simple kit

[@TheBlackQueen]

Ringo is perhaps the best source for what happened near the end of The Beatles. He was the fly on the wall to everyone else's bickering. No bias, no part in the conflict, just reality.

[@skeletonjam]

disagree, he barely focused on what was going on

[@TheBlackQueen]

@@skeletonjam I'm sorry, did you watch Get Back? He observed all the beef without contributing to the beef. He had the most unaltered view of the band at this time than anyone.

[@rayjr62]

@@skeletonjam I agree with The Black Queen on this one. He seemed the most objective of the four.

[@paulmallon9292]

@@rayjr62 i love ringo. But he consistently differs on chain of events that the other 3 verified in the anthology. Its really apparent and was joked about by even ringo himself. They other 3 could be completely wrong and I'd accept that but if I wanted to know anything about the beatles I would always defer to Paul to he perfectly honest.

[@skeletonjam]

@@TheBlackQueen yeah I watched it, he just seemed to be rubbing his eyes and staring at the ceiling the entire time

[@DJ-bj8ku]

Love listening to Ringo. He’s probably everybody’s best friend.

[@chagerts]

He beat his girlfriend/wife into the ground and into the hospital

[@DJ-bj8ku]

@@chagerts I think you’re confused.

[@chagerts]

@@Rick-S-6063 maybe, idk i heard that he beat her up badly at one point...

[@Weirdkid9022]

@@Rick-S-6063 he had the worst voice by far

[@Weirdkid9022]

@@Rick-S-6063 haha fair enough Happy New Year

[@blujay2084]

"I had three frustrated drummers in the band." Beautiful. Welcome to the club, Ringo.

[@martinmcomber5998]

Thing about Ringo is his input has no pretense. He's just credible and has no ego problem. Not trying to impress you or anybody. For decades I heard the idea that he was the luckiest person in modern music, that he fell in with three of the most extraordinary talents. In listening to the Beatles XM Radio station and other interviews, I've pieced together the idea that Ringo was extremely talented, because he could grasp whatever song Paul, John or Geo were writing and divine a suitable drum part for it. The drums at the beginning of "Come Together" was all him, and really adds to the allure of the song.

[@fifthbusiness1678]

Perceptive comment. Ringo really was under-rated and under-appreciated as a drummer. He was the glue in all of this.

[@CrankyGrandma]

Ringo was the spark that made the Beatles work. I’ve been a Beatles fan since I was a kid in the sixties. I’ve always felt they never would have made it without Ringo.

[@seattlebeard]

You really nailed it. I've been watching the trailers for the film "Come Together", and you can see Ringo's attentiveness when Paul is writing a song. He not only comes in with beats, but adds backing vocals without interrupting the creation of the song. And they end up on the final record. Wow.

[@lilybond6485]

Brian Epstein was the glue. Just my opinion.

[@Groundhog-Jam-Band]

exactly..check out the drum part on Ticket to Ride.

[@thejigantics2641]

Best interview from Ringo I’ve ever heard. What he says makes perfect sense and confirms what many of us thought were the dynamics in the band

[@jonburrows2883]

Ringo talking a lot of sense here about why they split up. Basically explaining in five minutes what thousands of books and hundreds of podcasts have tried to do

[@ericwsmith7722]

I did not get why they broke up,,, after this interview, I wonderd how they ever stayed toghter for as long as they did !

[@ericwsmith7722]

@Gabor P ---And he said it , at the time John and George were still alive

[@kimhansen8615]

Indeed - What more to say in an honest tone.

[@markwillis4267]

This! Absolutely this, good point, Jon.

[@qg3726]

Short & Sweet just like The Man Himself..

[@Franz19970]

'They were spreading out more than I was. I would have stayed in the band'. Never heard Ringo admit that since-

[@integral]

That's a hell of a note to end the interview on.

[@pedrobarnez5502]

I can't stop thinking about that quote....compelling and kinda feel sorry for Ringo for the first time in my life

[@brandall101]

I wouldn't have expected him to feel differently... after his brief departure during the White Album sessions he learned how appreciated he was, and he wasn't vying for a share of songwriting/creative control, so he fit more in the mediator role.

[@billslocum9819]

Ringo actually had options in 1969. He was in a couple of big movies, "The Magic Christian" and "Candy," and he was his own boss music-wise. He fell apart within a couple of years of that as his drinking began to catch up with him, but he was in a better place than any other band member while they were recording "Get Back" and "Abbey Road."

[@ericwsmith7722]

@@pedrobarnez5502 "but at the end of the day ,,,, i took my 200 million and did my own thing " lol

[@happyslap.rookie]

This is a FANTASTIC interview!!

[@geronimojones]

This is probably the best explanation of the breakup I’ve come across after listening to a bunch of interviews here. Not surprised it comes from Ringo.

[@peterryan4185]

Never heard this, ringo breaks it down completely, the final word, after all this time now I understand. Thank you Mr. Starkey!

[@wolframharms3495]

Ringo puts it into word honestly and perfectly: the split was not an avitable disaster - it was simply the BEATLES' coming off age. An amazing band of four boyish friends had grown up so much, they now wanted to learn to fly - in different directions. Nobody's fault, everone's fault. They may have found it hard themselves, to let each other go. They gave the rock world something beautiful and shiny. A beacon in the night. A band that wouldn't get old and worse and down, but an everlasting memory of three great friends at the height of their creativity.

[@TJ-mm8fx]

One of the most interesting and insightful Ringo interviews ever

[@scottreed8985]

He sounded lucid and sober for that period.

[@rayjr62]

In my opinion, it was the ONLY interesting and insightful interview Ringo ever did.

[@christopherfletcher5384]

It was hard to take their breakup cause their chemistry and personality couldn't ever be matched or topped. It was magical.

[@indy_go_blue6048]

And then the inevitable "the next Beatles is/are..." BS for the following decade. 50 years on, there's never been another Beatles.

[@lilybond6485]

Agree. There’s not been another Beatles. - Not even close.

[@PlanetoftheDeaf]

It's fascinating to hear interviews in the 70s as in the early 70s you have the real bitterness, the late 70s a bit more balance but then after John's death things became more "PR orientated" where the legacy of the band becomes important

[@ryanbell6627]

By that time the wounds weren't as fresh and raw and had begun to heal. By the time of John's death they had reconciled with each other. Paul and John had apologized to each other, Paul and John had apologized to George, and Paul and Ringo were beginning to mend their friendship. I think also, the four mellowed out with age and time apart and had begun to forgive each other.

[@im1who84u]

I am so glad Ringo did this interview and it was recorded and saved. I believe Ringo's explanation is the most accurate. He doesn't have any "bone to pick", he's just being honest. They all have their own version of how and why the band broke up, but Ringo seems to have it more right than any of the others do. They've been together a long time. They grew up together in a very closed circle of friends. They became adults together. Experienced a good part of their life's together. Now they were getting older and wanted to branch out on their own. To maybe do things and go directions the other band members didn't want to do. They had wives, children, and their own ideas they wanted to try out..... Or maybe just take a break from it all. They had taken this train as far is it was going to go. It was time to get off.

[@jedijones]

The real break-up is Paul and John. Like he says, Ringo would've stayed. And if George left, he would've been replaced by Clapton or someone else. This is a story about Paul and John. And it seems clear John changed when he met Yoko. He started doing albums with her before leaving the Beatles. And in his own words, John claims he was the one who left and ended the Beatles.

[@im1who84u]

@@jedijones I could see it that way too.

[@jedijones]

@@im1who84u I also see where John said things worked better with Brian Epstein as manager. He claimed Paul took Epstein's place as manager, and John didn't like how Paul ran things. Ultimately, though, John was the guy who decided he didn't like being there anymore and left.

[@im1who84u]

@@jedijones I agree with both of your comments you left here. There was really no one thing that caused the Beatles to break up. Like most beak ups in life, it's complicated and there are many contributing factors to consider. I like how you suggest that it was really Paul and John that were breaking up, not necessarily the Beatles. It is true after Brian's passing that they were like a ship without a rudder and had it not been for Paul taking the initiative to continue, that would have been the end of the Beatles right there. Paul did kinda take on the role of Brian and I don’t see that as a bad thing. It was John and maybe George that seemed to resent him doing that and John wanted no part of Paul’s father in-law taking Brian’s place and signed with Allen Klein, who in my opinion was a shyster and the Beatles would have been much better of with Paul’s father in-law. As I understand it, Paul never signed with Allen Klein and later when the Beatles were breaking up, that became a blessing. To save what was left of the Beatles, Paul had to sue the Beatles and that didn’t go over well with John and George. Years later they saw the wisdom in Paul not signing with Allen Klein and in him having to sue the Beatles and grudgingly admitted it. Paul said the point of "Magical Mystery Tour", was to get the boys working again. At that point Paul wanted to keep the Beatles together and to keep on working. I saw in a one on one interview where Paul was talking about the break up of the Beatles were he says that after the Beatles had broken up he went into a deep depression like anyone else would have that had just lost their job. The only difference he says is that he didn’t have to worry about money, but he no longer had a purpose, a reason to wake up every morning, nothing to do, and nowhere to go. He went on to say that had it not been for Linda and the children, he didn’t know what would have happened to him. He wasn’t shaving, bathing, was drinking excessively, and was deeply depressed. If you’d like to see that part of the interview, go to KZbin and type in: Paul McCartney On The Beatles' Breakup and What Lead To It (1990)

[@jedijones]

@@im1who84u Thanks for the link. I also see now from a recent biography that during the time of John's separation from Yoko in the mid-70s, he saw Paul for the first time since the breakup in Los Angeles. And Paul and Linda invited John and May Pang to New Orleans where Paul intended to write some new music. Conveniently or inconveniently, it seems like Yoko lured John back to New York at this time instead, and got them started on the path to reconciliation. It seems like too often John was asked to make a choice between Yoko or The Beatles/Paul, and it seems like Yoko was the one forcing the choice.

[@BlackTomorrowMusic]

Unpopular opinion. The breakup of the Beatles was a good thing. It's better that they went out on top instead of possibly fading into mediocrity. And I say this as someone who loves the band.

[@pdawson123]

I agree. Precious things are precious because of scarcity. The handful of albums are a scarce and previous thing indeed.

[@Official_KC]

I definitely agree. But then there's cases like Bob Dylan. If he had died in that crash in 1966, he'd be a legend. But we would miss out on A LOT of masterpiece level music that came later. Easily some of his best work, without a doubt. But with The Beatles, you might be right. I think they would have been pretty iffy in the 80s specifically had they all stayed together (and if John had lived obviously)

[@jaimejaime1043]

Just one more album though..just one lol ✌

[@dallasbrubaker6054]

They would never have faded into mediocrity.

[@ellesnyder942]

they would never have become mediocre.

[@iLuckyCharms]

This seems the most honest rant I’ve heard about their breakup. To where maybe John & Paul would dance around the question sometimes, or point at each other.

[@glenndrexler1677]

Yes they grew up!

[@dallasbrubaker6054]

I've heard Lennon say it was a slow death after Brian died. The music was becoming stale since they had stopped touring. They had stopped touring because it was getting to be such a drag. It was getting to be such a drag because of the chaos. It was getting to be chaos due to the screaming fans, which caused the music to be inaudible. It was said that the screams were so loud that a jet engine would have been drowned out. He went on to say that they didn't break up because they weren't friends; they broke up out of sheer boredom, and boredom created tension. He likened it to that it got to be mundane, like playing tennis with the same person, you get to know every move. Work with different musicians and that would keep the music fresh. Then they were getting to big individually to have all of their songs fit on one album, which is why George had the triple album "All Things Must Pass" since he had a backlog of songs. Finally, Lennon compared it to a marriage that didn't work and it was time to leave the guys at the bar and seek another partner.

[@crusheverything4449]

@@dallasbrubaker6054 - I mostly agree, but John found his other partner and that pushed him out, not the other way around.

[@debrabugay6335]

Ringo you are such a precious precious man. Such a profound drummer as well as a human being. Thank you Sir Richard Starskey

[@JaleelJohanson62]

I definitely think this is the most accurate description for why the band broke up. I like George's analogy later on when he said that a reunion would be like going back to high school.... Nobody would want to do that. When I was younger I couldn't understand why the Beatles wouldn't get back together. Now that I've got a lot more life experience under my belt, I absolutely understand why they didn't want to do that.

[@Zmart4ever214]

He’s so awesome. Down to earth guy. I love all of them. They may have broken up but left a legacy like no other.

[@Slammy555]

When I listen to them developing their songs it's always impressive that Ringo is playing pretty much the final beat when the others are struggling to find the parts. Ringo's what they needed, a base from which to grow. I hope he knows he was as important to their body of work as any of the others.

[@philgaetano6926]

What a fabulous piece of tape. Thank you for uploading it.

[@TheCheermeister]

I agree with the consensus of the commenters, Ringo sums up better than I’ve ever heard why the Beatles broke up. This is also the loosest, most candid and articulate I’ve ever heard him speak on any subject. This audio is a gem. Rock on Ringo!

[@C_H_1972]

The most honest and insightful interview I’ve heard regarding The Beatles breakup.

[@richardbanker6041]

This interview with Ringo was pretty generous and thoughtful and explains why despite all the conflicts all four of them were really close.

[@soundshaper]

Thanks to Ringo for bringing the lads back together one more time in 1973 to work on his album Ringo. Not all on one song, but all on the same album. That was huge at the time.

[@nervo6321]

You know that Ringo will always tell it like it was...no pretences with him...Scouse legend...

[@ericwsmith7722]

And when this interview was done, everyone was still alive .

[@marioimolina]

this is a great interview which i've never heard before. a lot of insights from ringo which you've never heard from the tons of macca interviews

[@RL-ut6dl]

Thank You why can't Paul speak up and talk openly like Ringo

[@crusheverything4449]

@@RL-ut6dl - Because Paul has always been much more under the media microscope and has always done his best to be diplomatic while also being honest. Besides, I’ve heard Paul say very similar things to what Ringo says here.

[@mibeatleman6767]

If The Beatles had stayed together beyond 1970, I'm sure they would've become stagnant in time and their legacy might have not been as memorable as it is now. At only eight years, we were blessed with so much good music from four men. Bless them for making the world a little brighter through their music. ❤💙💜🤍

[@mrlarvux]

Ringo seems very relatable.

[@Idahoguy10157]

In the sixty’s few bands lasted together even three years. That the Beatles stayed together as long as it did is remarkable. They each had their own lives to live.

[@chiappettamark]

Ringo's drum work keeps the Beatles song FRESH!

[@TheLenaweeTrekker]

"It was time", no B.S. reasons just, "It was time." I think he's right.

[@TheQakman]

I agree. Can’t blame it on any one person.

[@famatu]

Good that you think he's right, he'll be glad you agree with him as you were there as well

[@TheQakman]

@@famatu one in every crowd.

[@Bamruff62]

Yeah, that's probably true. I only wished it was time at the end of 1971.

[@indy_go_blue6048]

No it wasn't. They could've gone their separate ways for a while like the Moody Blues did. The Rolling Stones have stayed together. It wasn't inevitable nor was it inevitable they stayed apart up to 1980.

[@martinhanley9524]

Ringo is so down to earth and no aura about him !❤️ ringo as all his band mates - he has a great sense of things .

[@_SliK_]

Can’t wait for The Beatles: Get Back film/book 2021 because we’ll see more truth to the Let It be sessions rather than the myth.

[@Bella-nt7ec]

Marc Lewisohn's book

[@stevestarr9769]

Watching the preview that Peter Jackson released, it seems it's the polar opposite of Let It Be, when they were totally miserable. The truth is somewhere in the middle--there were probably some really good days, and really bad days. It's all in what they want to show when it's time to edit the movie.

[@blujay2084]

Me too. I was really apprehensive when I heard that Peter Jackson was tackling Lord Of The Rings but he did a great job. Really looking forward to this one.

[@Bella-nt7ec]

I mean "Tune in" part 2

[@Charleybones]

Great interview with Ringo. IT is really interesting to listen to his explanation for the band breaking and how friendly the boys were with each other. The one thing you never hear Ringo do is bring up the fact that George slept with his wife Maureen behind Ringo's back. But apparently Ringo forgave him and moved on w/out any animosity. These guys went thru a lot with each other.

[@Alpha_7227]

This obviously is so insightful because it is coming from the original source. Thanks for the upload.

[@eviechang847]

We love RINGO peace and love

[@barbaracastelli3725]

I just love listening to Ringo. I’m so glad we still have Ringo. Ringo and George were always my favorite. I listen to Ringo’s interviews on KZbin his so sexy and is all man. He has a Beautiful spirit . He seems like a private man. I’m so happy he found love with Barbara Bach. She’s a wonderful lady and loves our Ringo and is so good to him.

[@iamnoone4046]

Ringo’s telling seems to be the most honest, without any jealousy or ego.

[@QuarrellaDeVil]

4:14 .. As Ringo talks about Paul's telling George how to play, that's a shot from the infamous sequence in "Let it Be" where George says "I'll play whatever you want me to play. Or I won't play at all if you don't want me to play."

[@ernesttbass6420]

"Whatever it is that will please you, I'll do it"

[@lindakelly9552]

And I thought Paul was extremely POLITE saying I’m sorry I seem to be annoying ya and I don’t mean to and I also think Paul was extremely patient with John and Yoko’s antics even though it had to be hell he would say well do we have the right to say anything. No Paul wasn’t a tyrant, this is bull.

[@lyricberlin]

@@lindakelly9552 ah please. Now we see Linda and Heather were there as much as Yoko.

[@lindakelly9552]

@@lyricberlin ah please John and Yoko started during the White Album, and quite frankly Peter Jackson went out of his way not to cover all her dialog, only The Beatles, she wasn’t that quiet. Out of 57 hours, we only got 8 and honestly since it had been going on all through the White Album, I think the others said well we will invite people too, George invited his hari chreshna sorry don’t know how to spell it and Paul had Linda in a couple of times, once with Heather. I think they were hoping that John would get the hint that its disrupting but he never did. I think John was hoping that they would take Yoko as part of their group and get on the peace thing they were on or else he was going to leave, which eventually he announced.

[@jeperstone]

They just grew up. Wives, children etc. It's no mystery

[@kingchrisa4188]

Yeah you have a point but the Beatles made a promise in their earlier days that no wives or girlfriends could come into the studio when they were recording. But when John first brought Yoko into the studio around 1968 that made the other 3 mad. But yes you do have a point.

[@jimdavis2385]

In a sense, they were a garage band started in high school that folded 10 years after they graduated. A common occurrence when band practice and kids soccer practice starts to conflict. Of course, they were the Fab 4 so it seems different. Still, take away the massive artistic and financial success and the principle holds: They just grew up.

[@highwaymaintainer]

@@jimdavis2385 grew up yes but some also grew weird

[@WhyTheHorseface]

Wives, children? John abandoned Julian. Great songwriter, horrible father.

[@jamesdunn2214]

@@WhyTheHorseface He was much better with Sean.

[@karaamundson3964]

Ringo is such a tender guy. I completely trust what he has to say about the process because he truly had no axe to grind.

[@djwiggles2835]

*Title:* Ringo on the Breakup of the Beatles 1977 Interview *Thumbnail:* _G E O R G E_ Edit: dang, they changed the thumbnail to Ringo :(

[@deb16acres20]

Lol slap in the face.

[@Kepler186f-d8d]

Gorgeous George

[@anthonylawson2275]

Eric Clapton also said that George was the actual catalyst. He had began to grow out of the Beatles.

[@RL-ut6dl]

The quiet beatle wanted things to go his way I cannot stop laughing

[@RL-ut6dl]

Ringo says I can't put my finger on why we broke up

[@johnt7630]

interesting that Ringo said things had gotten better by the White Album because the opposite was said by the other three.

[@Deadbolt75]

In Ringos eyes the band were a band again during the white album

[@NVRAMboi]

The White Album seemed dark/angry/weird in mood to me when it came out, and it still does now.

[@dannyvine3605]

The White Album was just one of the group telling the others what to play - using the other Beatles as a back-up band. That was not the case before, where other's ideas were more accepted. Also note that there are many songs on the WA which are just John or Paul playing or just 3 of the group involved. Apart from Yesterday that was not the case previously (people might point out Elenoir Rigby but George and Ringo contributed a lot to that song lyrically). Abbey Road on the other hand was a much more Band effort and the band worked more closer together on the songs.

[@mrlarvux]

Maybe it felt more like a band to him because it was more stripped down.

[@countdown2xstacy]

Why would he say they were all getting along better on the White Album? Didn’t Ringo walk out on the White Album and the other 3 talked him back and set roses on his drum kit as a welcome back gesture.

[@monkface]

Good ol' Ring. Down to earth and real.

[@Playitstraight44]

I've never felt like it was much of a mystery. They were all growing up and moving into their own individual lives. When the band was formed, they were kids and depended on each other. They had grown through that period and it was simply time to move on. Thats one thing I can always say about the Beatles that few bands can say. They never tried to fake it and live off the name. They moved on when the creativity became stifled by their own individualism.

[@danielkokal8819]

well put. you dont spend nearly the time with your mates once you get married. agree about not becoming a nostalgia act. thank god. besides, George was coming into his own as a writer and there wasnt gonna be enough album space for everyone.

[@richardtater7945]

Like most families. As kids you went on vaca together, shopping etc. As you gradually age you start becoming more independent from the family, making new friends, relationships and so on. 'Always leave them wanting more". I forget who said it but its true. Hmmm..... then theres the Stones so maybe not ? I was a HUGE Stones fan in the 60s and early 70s but I still remember turning down Stones tickets back in the late 70s saying 'No thanks, they're too old" ! I regret that thought to this day.

[@harveyjohnny1967]

Ringo is a lovely man

[@VILJL]

Ringo Starr was born on July 7, 1940 in Liverpool, England. He celebrated his 84th birthday today (July 7, 2024). It's been more than 50 years since The Beatles disbanded, but Ringo shows no signs of slowing down. He has released more than 20 studio albums

[@socrates1818]

Paul was pre eminent within the band- musically- John, Ringo, George (he said in an interview ‘Paul’s melodies are untouchable) and George Martin said as much at different times.

[@xpatsteve]

I think Ringo is the reason the Beatles stayed together as long as they did. I can't possibly imagine the immense pressure their status and position in the music industry and popular culture put on them. Yet Ringo, like the rock-solid drummer that he is, could just soldier on, keeping things together the way only a great drummer could. Everybody had their favorite Beatle, but Ringo, in my opinion, turned out to be the most important Beatle in the end.

[@jamesball5743]

xpatsteve horrible take. John’s talent is the reason beyond anything.

[@L0REN0R2Z0RR0]

Imagine Keith Moon in the Beatles. Wouldn't last 2 years imho 😄

[@mirkoamicizia4258]

@@jamesball5743 john's talent? Dude, honestly john was stoned most of the time, he didn't contribute to almost any of the songs on abbey road. And if you'd ask for his opinion he wouldn't even acknowledge you. John was tired of being a beatle and that's the truth. He wanted out, by the time the beatles had released the white album john was already in a bad with mick jagger. And then in 1969 he met up with some musicians and formed what would be later known as the plastic ono band. his contribution to paul's and george's song was minimal. He would only work on his material, on his music. He wasn't beatle john anymore by then. He was just john, of course after he started bringing yoko to the studio things gotten way worse, she was his shadow. He made her follow him everywhere. Things were pretty tense for everyone and yoko was getting on everyone's nerve. And if you'd ask her to leave john would say "if yoko leaves, I leave" so they were stuck with her. Cause no yoko equal no john. They needed him, but he did not them anymore. John was also getting tired of paul. He would often criticize him, sometimes he would also try to sabotage his songs by not going along with the beat or playing the wrong note on purpose. Whenever Paul would come up with a new song john would label it as and I quote "more of paul's granny shit" so john wasn't really eager on keeping the beatles together. It wasn't in his best interests. He often stated that his journey as beatle ended right after Brian's death. Which affected him deeply. If the beatles stayed together for so long it's only because of Paul and his commitment to being a beatle. He loved being a beatle, he loved the stage, he loved big crowds. On the other hand john got tired of it pretty quickly. So if they agree to record abbey road it's only because of Paul. I'm not denying john talent, he was/is one of the most influential singers/songwriters of the 20th century. He was a genius, a beautiful human being. Really I have great respect for him. Paul wasn't a saint neither. While the beatles were working on abbey road he was already working on his mccartney album. He also didn't like klein, and john took it personally. John might have been the brain of the beatles, but he wasn't just part of it in the end. So if today we have: Sgt pepper, magical mystery tour, the white album, abbey road it's only because of Paul.

[@thejma724]

@@mirkoamicizia4258 Lots of true...I think the end of Beatle John started after the Jesus' comment, whereas wisecrack smarty pant John was humbled to apologize many times and the air in the balloon was pricked for good....John was terrified about playing live again with the Beatles for fear of being murdered by a fanatic...Soon Brian is dead, Paul takes over the leadership (John is not interested anymore, he is actually fearing being a beatle), which lead to money squabbles fueled by egocentrism / drugs / etc...The Beatles were doomed starting in 1966

[@mirkoamicizia4258]

@@thejma724 yeah it did, things went downhill after that. But things gotten worse right after brian died, that was it for john. No brian no beatles, he really looked up to him. He also (as you mentioned) wasn't happy with paul taking over the beatle, so I think that's what gave him the impetus to quit. If Paul hadn't stepped in, we wouldn't have Sgt peppers, the white album and their last album, abbey road which is a masterpiece in my humble opinion. And Paul doesn't take credit for that, instead he gets a lot of hate for being hard on george, when In reality george was mad at Paul throughout the 70s, so he thought the best way to let go of his anger would be to say nasty things about him on live tv. And he did, but really none of what he said is true. Yeah Paul might have been a bit hard on him, but George was also hard If not harsh on him too.

[@humanbeing5300]

4:very different personalities. This is actually a secret sauce that the best bands have. Ringo was the chill, laid back guy that could just go with the flow and put up with the bigger egos

[@alexandrecosta4832]

“They were spreading more than I was, I would stay with the band.”

[@lawrence142002]

He was always very earnest about that. I remember during the Anthology segement where he, Paul and George are out sitting in George's garden and he's just something like, "I loved having three brothers".

[@alexanadermcculloch871]

The Beatles as a band ended they grew apart rapidly but.. am sure they would’ve did Live-Aid & probably rejoined at a later time but it wasn’t to be

[@therealmusicianaire]

The contracts and arrangements were made in 1980 for a reunion concert and album in 1984. But of course some idiot with a gun changed all that....

[@Grayfl1cks]

After everything I read and heard I believe the Beatles should of taken a break from 70 to 72 then came back with 2 or 3 more albums. Half the stuff they released separately were already somewhat processed when they were still together.

[@itinerantpatriot1196]

Ringo probably gives the most objective account of what went on with the Beatles because he came in right as they were making a national splash. He didn't go through all the band dynamics of the Hamburg and Cavern days so he carried less baggage around with him. I'm not saying it was just a job to him but he was a bit more professionally detached because of it. Maybe it explains why he gave so few interviews compared to the other three after the break up. He moved on to his All-Star band and had a really nice solo career. He strikes me as someone very comfortable in his own skin and he seems to have settled into his golden years quite easily. Sir Paul should take note of that. I feel for Paul. I tried watching his Hulu series but honestly, after the first two episodes I was like, what is he saying that I haven't already heard 100 times? Paul is always on. It's almost like he's in a time-warp. I get it to a degree. Retirement can be hard on a person, especially someone of his stature. But he's starting to turn into a bit of a caricature. The 60s were 60 years ago Paul. My advice is to follow Ringo's lead and dial it back. But that's just me. I'm going to be sad when Ringo and Paul join their mates. They made me love music. God bless ya Ringo, I always loved your drumming.

[@Rkw772]

I think this was a throughly good explanation of what was happening and I believe if this wasn’t going on Alan Klein would not have been able to get his grubby hands on them. Love this Ringo so honest. I think it’s good they split because we have so much more diverse and also great work from them.

[@marknewman5842]

If anybodys gonna tell us the ' whys and whats' about the break up of the Beatles, its Ringo. This interview is all i need. Honest and straight foward...

[@anthonyleighton4754]

He always seems like a down to earth fella and never took himself too seriously ...... Plus he married Barbara Bach not long after the spy who loved me.......

[@indy_go_blue6048]

They started dating during the filming of Caveman.

[@seattlebeard]

Such a lovely man. He was always my favourite. :o)

[@THECLARENCES]

Long live the memories of John & Ringo. xoxo The Clarences

[@luckydave328]

Most grounded, balanced and honest explanation of the break-up. I would have loved to know what reasons John gave Ringo for bringing Yoko in though. Just saying it's not our business but it was a satisfactory explanation for him just makes it even more intriguing !

[@luckydave328]

@VAN GROOVER I remember when she came to London. People were talking about her 'performance art'. Drawing a chalk circle and rubbing it out. Banging nails in wood etc but the main attraction seemed to be 'there is this Japanese chick (in the 60s there was still a residue post-war atmosphere so that in itself was a novelty) inviting the audience to cut off her clothes!' Some of my friends went. I didn't. I bet that's what attracted John plus he must have known that as a Beatle he would have an advantage over the other mere oglers ! You are very likely right in your analysis though why that would satisfy Ringo is still a mystery and I would still love to know what John actually said.

[@lyricberlin]

John talked about it. Her being pregnant 3 times and losing the babies. Everyone has seen the bed in there with Yoko lying on it. He wanted to keep her close. Now we see Linda and Heather were there as much as Yoko with Maureen in there at times as well. Plus George's friend. Everyone always made it like only Yoko was there and that is just not true.

[@paullandry5594]

Sir Richard Starkey is very personable.

[@douglasskinner6348]

Having watched the new doc on Disney+, I would have to say that, regarding George leaving over Paul's remarks about how to play, it was more that Paul wasn't communicating well. He wasn't being mean about it or anything. It seemed like he couldn't put into words the sounds he was hearing in his head. Every time Paul gave George a suggestion, George would either say, "I can't do that" or "I think it should go this, because of these cord progression," which Paul would shoot down but never in a bad or hostile way. It was more like, "Um, maybe, but let's try this out instead and see how it works." Even John seemed frustrated at times with how George was taking it personally. There were points where George would ask for advice on songwriting, especially while writing "Something," and John would be like, "Just throw in a word until something else fits. It doesn't matter what that word is, because it's just a place holder," and George would get very frustrated by it. I think George was a technical perfectionist, and he wanted things to make sense in the moment, while Paul was also a perfectionist but only with the end product. John, I think, recognized that in both of his bandmates, and did his best to work with them on their own fronts, and eventually, that tension became too much for the three of them.

[@hellsjamfleas]

Yeah, the Beatles all were a bit weird on this. George went to court and said he left the band right after the row with Paul in the Let It Be film. But looking at the footage we know that's not true, he left days later in a mood over something else. So either George couldn't remember and that's where that came from. Or there was a different fight that we didn't really see in the footage. Or they don't want to say the real reason and are covering. Ringo either is telling the real story that wasn't clear in the evidence, or this is the false story George has been telling. It's very odd , I'd think George lying in court would have been an accident, he doesn't seem to want to do wrong and intentionally lie. But then it is weird that they don't remember the real reason behind leaving the Beatles.

[@LiliGogo619]

During the first few yrs of the Beatles, interviewers kept questioning when will the bubble burst and what will they do when it does. After they broke up, interviewers spent the next 10 yrs (until John's death) asking them if and when they will reunite.

[@dixgun]

Such a revealing few minutes. Most of it seems like brand-new information, even if it’s not.

[@brianinglis3805]

It seems that Paul & Ringo would've been happy to keep The Beatles going, but John & George had had enough and wanted out.

[@christopher9152]

That has always been my reading as well, not just based on Ringo's accounts, but on all the band members'.

[@nigelgreenwood9010]

Fitting everyone in would be unsatisfactory. Lennon and McCartney had got use to writing all the songs from the beginning. Unfortunately they had to split. Think there possibly was a musical in the Lennon and McCartney duo.

[@markanderson8006]

Yes that’s correct. Ringo, George quit first but when John quit Sep 69. That was it.

[@lyricberlin]

If you were George you would have wanted out too. Watch George's interview with Dick Cavette. He was tired of only getting 1 or 2 songs per album. He said the Beatles would have had to have put out 100 albums for him to put the stuff he was writing on them.

[@davidbroughall3782]

It was three creative minds all wanting to go in different directions. It was time.

[@Scotttyist]

"Paul had sort of a right but no right at all to tell George what to play" - The Wisdom of Ringo :)

[@ktcarl]

I don't know. If Paul wrote the song I would think he had the right to tell George how he wanted the guitar solo to be played.

[@Scotttyist]

@@ktcarl George also has the right to tell Paul where he can stick his suggestions. Playing music is meant to be enjoyable, after all. It's a fine line.

[@ktcarl]

@@Scotttyist It’s Paul’s song not George’s.

[@Scotttyist]

@@ktcarl True, but the problem is that if you have someone continually telling you how to do your job it gets old fast. No wonder George spat the dummy and left during the Let It Be sessions. After a while it's like, "Do it yourself. I'm off!"

[@furrygoose94]

@@ktcarl if you listen to a lot of Beatles in the studio during outtakes, you’d see how the songs develop from jamming/refining/input from all members. They all contribute. That’s what made them so great. Whosoever wrote the song has ultimate decision of course, but when you’re in a band you can’t just dictate (if you’ve played in a band you know how that works out for you). There has to be playfulness and trust. The point Ringo was making was that by this point in time those elements for some reason or another were being neglected. The logical end to this would be that they break up and go solo, which they did, however in my mind the four (although brilliant on their own) were pure magic together.

[@robnamowicz8073]

Many listeners perhaps don't understand how much work recording and producing songs can be, in a band, everyone makes it happen, many hours, many takes, hours and hours. These gents worked themselves to oblivion. We got the songs. When you heard George exclaim, "I got blisters on me fingers," I'm sure it's true. Bless the Beatles.

[@johnjames945]

Always liked Ringo just hits u like a really nice bloke which am sure he is .... Saw the Ego's in all the rest well mainly Paul n John but Ringo always seemed so grounded...nuff love n respect for Ringo my main man

[@gkniffen]

“They were spreading out more than I was... I would have stayed with the band!” 😆 Of course you would, Ringo.

[@joewar-booker5485]

I love Ringo... i love beatles

[@OldSchoolVibes1978]

It started when Billy Shears joined in '66

[@joachimzegke9301]

beautiful photos...nice speaking by Ringo.

[@johnsnowkumar359]

During recording there were just the four of them without wives and girlfriends. Suddenly, Yoko started coming to the recording studios, and continued on.

[@ghanasoul]

This is probably the most honest, detailed explanation of what went down with the group. To summarize everything he said is this: they needed to do their own thing as individual artists. It was time to move on. Period.

[@bdctube]

Excellent interview

[@kelvendyson1508]

Great shots of all of them sitting the drum kit!!

[@jake105]

George did have a big row with Paul, but that's not why he walked out. He walked out after a row the John & Yoko. Also Paul was playing lead solos as far back as 1965. George wasn't exactly lighting it up then.

[@hammer44head]

If you read Geoff Emericks book, he being the engineer from Revolver on up to the White Album, the acrimony between the Beatles on the White Album was so bad that Ringo quit but came back and then Geoff quit working on the white album. Though the Beatles finished it up the White Album they werent happy with it, though it sold millions and some folks find it to be their "best" they started work right after on Let it Be along with the new manager Allen Klein and the Eastmans who paul wanted, so they had that business to deal with as they were recording and it got nasty at times there too. They still recorded some fantastic songs even though they were arguing at times. George blossomed into a fantastic writer also along with Paul and John during that time frame.

[@stevemadak6255]

As rambling as it seems, it is the most succinct explanation of why they split up.

[@LadyFairChildVideo]

about as rambling as your comment.

[@j.j.upright4010]

🤔 Ringo sat in his backyard for a whole year after the Beatles broke up as he was wondering what the Hell was he going to do... True Story!! 🥁

[@chuckpotockimusic2288]

They were all going different places, musically and personally, the business aspect of the band was in complete shambles, their working relationship was broken by the nearly-constant presence of Yoko, and even though they were very close and loved each other, they had grown tired of being The Beatles; it had simply run its' course.

[@jk4675]

The Beatles broke up because of: >John losing interest because Yoko comes in the picture (not her fault, John was a wanderer, never could be tied down) >Paul becoming the de facto leader from 67 >George getting independence, coming into his own as a songwriter Many other smaller factors such as: Epstein's death, creation of Apple, talks of touring again etc.

[@jpmacc94]

The man who was there just told you what happened

[@papagreenemusic]

Brian Epstein's death was a BIG factor.... He was their "coach", mouthpiece & guiding light. They felt somehow orphaned, like a ship without a captain, when he passed. Also George's embracing Eastern religion & the trip to India, which coincided with Epstein's death...

[@lunicola]

yes "Paul" became the "leader"... because "Paul" took over where the REAL Paul left off in 1966 ... ya know what i'm talkin about .. dont cha now

[@mongrelhead1]

Thanks much for this!

[@tommyaddison6539]

Ringo is an amazing guy

[@countalucard4226]

Ringo really rocked a mustache.

[@philovance1940]

I’ve said many times in the past 50 years. The 4 Beatles outgrew each other. I’m certain they all realized at some point they really didn’t need each other to make music anymore. It must’ve been tiresome and frustrating for each of them to articulate ideas for songs to one another. especially George who was clearly taking a backseat to John and Paul. I’m sure ‘egos’ got in the way sometimes as well. MacCartney even admitted he realized in ‘65 no matter what, He’ll forever be known as a Beatle like it or not. They could’ve continued as a the Beatles with Billy Preston on kb and fans would’ve loved it. But who knows?

[@continentalgin]

He says exactly why Paul and George fell out. Paul fancied himself to be a symphony composer/conductor and viewed George as just one of his musicians to boss. George was proud of his accomplishments and contributions, knew he had a fitting, unique guitar sound that improved the group's music and basically told Paul, 'I am me, I do me and you can have my sound how I do it or I'll leave and get out of your way.' Paul was overbearing, no question about it and Ringo says so.

[@braemtes23]

Baloney. The irony was both George and John were guilty of doing exactly what they criticized Paul for doing. For example, in Get Back George is telling John that his guitar part is wrong and not what George wanted for HIS song, and John is drumming on the wall showing Ringo how he is playing John's song incorrectly and then shows Ringo how he wants HIS song to be played. This took place after John lectured Paul about his not letting others make their own decisions when playing Paul's songs.

[@fabulousfreddyisready]

@@braemtes23 Yep, Paul generally has been blamed for a lot...and seeing the new documentary by Jackson it seems misplaced.... Even for Yoko, we get a different view of things. I do know this though, they should have listened to Paul about having Klein manage them, and John even admitted that eventually....

[@talrasha1985]

​@@braemtes23the difference between John/George and Paul is that they didn't make anyone to play what they wanted and were open for suggestions and gladly accept ones. Paul directly said them how and what they should play. George had the way more freedom on John's imagine and everybody who worked with George said that he always welcomed ideas of his mates.

[@HolgerRuneFan]

I never could stand Elliot Mintz, but this is a great interview, partly because Elliot doesn't butt in and allows Richie to just talk.

[@crusheverything4449]

Richie? 🤢🤮

[@rodrigosouza8389]

They explained this billion times.

[@briansteenson3036]

Brilliant interview

[@loungejay8555]

John ended the Beatles, plain and simple, all the issues such as Yoko, choice of manager, musical direction, money etc, would have been overcome, but John didn't want to be in the Beatles any more so that was that.

[@nonstoprocker5377]

And all those books and interviews on the subject when they could have just come to you for the answer...

[@afurinperil]

@@nonstoprocker5377 Dude, McCartney literally said as much in countless interviews. What are you arguing?

[@mikeyaureliush9017]

@@nonstoprocker5377 I find Loungejay's opinion very reasonable. For a start, there were a whole lot of things happening in the late 1960s, both inside and outside the band, and Ringo confirms that in the interview here. Note that John regarded the Beatles as his own band, he originated the group and it was his decision to let Paul in. When the break up came in 1970 John was a bit miffed that Paul made the announcement wihout John's clear approval. Note, however, that Paul hadn't intended to say the Beatles were finished, he only honestly answered a question from a journalist who wanted to know if the Beatles would write any more songs, when Paul said "No" that was enough for the media to declare the Beatles had broken up.

[@nonstoprocker5377]

@@mikeyaureliush9017Ive read every Beatles book that ever existed twice...You're not telling me anything new

[@mikeyaureliush9017]

So you don't disagree with anything I have said then?

[@backpages9885]

52 seconds in, great photo of Ringo and Paul

[@onyourmarkphoto]

Times are different now and I wonder had they not been pressured to release an album as frequently as they did would've helped prolong things a bit. As with any group of creative and successful people there's eventually going to be conflict and tension. They didn't have Brian around to discipline them. I'm sure had he lived they would've pushed his authority eventually but his death gave them a lot of yes people around them. Drugs, fame, fortune and repeating the same process over and over with the same guys for so long had to lead to burn out. Time healed a lot of wounds. In the end they still love (loved) each other.

[@Therealderry433]

Ringo speaks the truth

[@angelthman1659]

The world just can't seem to get over this breakup.

[@simonworman7898]

A worldly wise mam way back then,Drummers get all the stick excuse "the pun" with exception of Moon they all seem to have had their feet on the stage as well as the pedals! 23 08 21 and we lost one today. RIP Mr Watts and Ringo "Keep on to the end of the road" for us all .!