Bill and Ringo

Thanks Jim...for the invite to share my story on how I met a Beatle!

To explain, from 1988 to 2005 I was a music journalist for MuchMusic and MuchMoreMusic ( Canada 's music TV channels.) I had the cool opportunities to travel the world and interview thousands of artists, athletes and even actors.

My favourite interviews have always been with "legends"...the artists that shaped trends and shaped the industry. The Beatles are of course the pinnacle of music legends.

I have interviewed many people "associated" with The Beatles...Yoko Ono, Julian Lennon, Sean Lennon, and various Beatles biographers.

And yes...I even met a Beatle (or two if you count Pete Best...as Mr. Best told me in our interview "Once a Beatle, always a Beatle!")

I have interviewed Ringo Starr twice...in 2001 and 2003 I believe.

Larger-than-life celebs that are down to earth, honest and personable are rare. I can understand why most are guarded, and can easily forgive them if they're not "open", but Ringo proved to be one of the few that enjoys a good interview. He opened up about numerous subjects...including his on-going effort to spread peace, his love of art & love of creating music, and most importantly...the early days of Beatlemania. We talked about how in those first days the audience's screams drowned out the on-stage monitors.

How did The Beatles perform and specifically...how did Ringo keep the beat without the band collectively hearing each other?

Ringo offered "I would watch the bums (of my band in front of me) and watch the nodding of their heads... and thought 'Oh, that's where we're at!' "

I often wonder if Paul, John and George were ever aware that poor ole Ringo had to watch their asses in order to keep the rhythm of the songs???

Bill Welychka
Bill@Achannel.ca