Ringo Starr has marked today’s (25) release of his 20th solo album, What’s My Name, by unveiling a new video for its current single and title track. The graphic-intensive clip features the world-famous vocalist, drummer and songwriter in a series of images overlaid with lyrics from the upbeat, self-referencing number.
The track features Ringo on lead vocals, drums and percussion, with guitar and background vocals by his longtime collaborator and member of his All-Starr Band, former Men At Work member and solo artist Colin Hay. There’s also guitar by Toto co-founder Steve Lukather, bass by the ever in-demand Nathan East and harmonica by Warren Ham. Stalwart session vocalists Maxine and Julia Waters are also on backing vocals.
In a new interview on the AARP website by Edna Gunderson, Starr talks about the process behind the new album, which he made at his home studio Roccabella West. “I started this record the same as all records,” he says. “I called ten friends and thought, ‘We’ll each write a song together.’ People sometimes just pass by and ring the bell. If I’m in the studio and they can play, they’re on the record.”
He also discusses why he never plays extended drum solos on his records. “I like to play with the band,” he says. “God bless all those drummers who do drum solos. The only drum records I ever bought were Cozy Cole’s ‘Topsy I’ and ‘Topsy II’ [1958]. When I listened to the rock records that came out, I didn’t dial in on the drums. I dialed in on the whole record.”
What’s My Name also features Ringo’s much-reported version of the John Lennon demo ‘Grow Old With Me,’ with vocals and bass by Paul McCartney and guitar by Joe Walsh. The album has further contributions from other friends such as Edgar Winter, Dave Stewart, Benmont Tench and Richard Page.
What’s My Name is released on 25 October. Scroll down for the tracklisting, and pre-order it here.
Listen to the best of Ringo Starr on Apple Music and Spotify.
