New book on Ringo’s solo career
Ringo Starr: I Play the Piano If It’s in C is an enjoyable reference book that paints a complete portrait of an extraordinary artist and man.
Published on 24 March 2025, Ringo Starr: I Play the Piano If It’s in C. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1997 (L.I.L.Y. Publishing, 278 pages), written by Italian author Luca Perasi and with a second volume planned for 2026, covers the first twenty-eight years of Ringo Starr’s solo career.
Here’s what the author has to say:
“The book is the first ever to explore in such depth Ringo’s post-Beatles production, from Sentimental Journey until his All-Starr Band tour in 1997,” says the author. “The title recalls a verse from his song ‘Early 1970’ and is a half-joking reference to the fact that Ringo is not really a composer but is still capable of producing great music. He’s been defined as a drummer who plays melodically, as a guitarist, and it’s time to explore his production historically and critically.”
With a cover featuring a 1974 photograph by Mark Sullivan, and with the inner layout curated by Steve Lambley, the volume tells the stories behind Ringo’s songs released between 1970 and 1997. As with the other books from the same SONGS series, the volume consists of 157 song entries – including songs written by other composers and 23 unreleased tracks – each with detailed information on musicians and recording dates, anecdotes and contemporary interviews. It’s enriched with illustrations and nearly 250 footnotes. Albums, tours and other events provide the background to the stories behind the songs.
“During the period under consideration, Ringo goes through different phases of his career; he starts as an outsider, but he manages to achieve great success until 1974, first with the two singles ‘It Don’t Come Easy’ and ‘Back off Boogaloo’, and then with the albums Ringo and Goodnight Vienna,” explains Perasi. “During the second half of the seventies, he became increasingly marginalised in the music business, and the eighties opened amidst a thousand difficulties, with Ringo failing to revive his career through the project of an album in Memphis and his alcohol addiction.”
1988 is the key moment in his life. “He went into rehab and was able to gather all his strength and find the right artistic path with his All-Starr Band, an ever-changing supergroup that surrounded him during the concerts. He returned in 1992 with the album Time Takes Time, one of his best ever.”
The volume also explores other aspects of Ringo’s life and career. “There is also room for Ringo as a composer and singer, as a session musician (with mentions of his most notable collaborations), and even as the creator of the furniture business and the Ring O’ Records label,” Perasi reveals.
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Time Takes Time is an excellent album, especially the “Runaways” track. Maybe an expanded edition with “Don’t Be Cruel,” “You Never Know,” “Lay Down Your Arms” with Stevie Nicks, “When You Wish Upon A Star,” “You Know It Makes Sense,” and “Act Naturally” with Buck Owens could be added. Even “With A Little Help From My Friends” from the Nobody’s Child – Romanian Angel Appeal release could be thrown in.
IMO 1997’s vertical man is a real gem, but it got buried by the anthology project and apparently didn’t sell all that well. Maybe that album will start a second volume?