NEW YORK – Ringo Starr says he keeps on playing because he’s still in love with the drums.
“I’m fifth on Rolling Stone’s list of drummers of all time,” he said, laughing. “I’m still trying to work my way up.”
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For the 13th edition of Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band, he’s added Steve Lukather of Toto and Greg Rolie, who has worked with Santana and Journey, to a band that already includes the great Todd Rundgren (“Who doesn’t want to bang the drum all day?” Starr asked); Mr. Mister singer Richard Page; Gregg Bissonette, best known for his work with Santana; and musical director Mark Rivera from Billy Joel’s band.
“We want to make sure it’ll be a great show for the people who buy the tickets — that they’ll see a great cross-section of music,” Starr said, calling before the tour opener in Niagara Falls last week. “I’ve been saying we’re the best 1-800 live band there is.”
Q. Do you worry about the band’s chemistry when you bring in new members?
A. It’s hard work putting it together. The rehearsals are eight hours a day of torture so we can have two hours of incredible fun when we play. We all have to learn new songs. I used to think, “Well, I hope it works.” But now I’ve done it often enough, and it’s worked every time, so now I feel it will work.
Q. Will you be playing songs from your recent “Ringo 2012” album?
A. I’ll be playing two — “Wings,” which is the promotion track, and “Anthem,” because I’m all about peace and love. But mainly I’ll be doing the music I’m recognized for — “Help,” “A Hard Day’s Night,” “Yellow Submarine.”
Q. Do you like playing outside versus inside?
A. I’ve come to the conclusion that I enjoy playing wherever they put me.
Q. The 50th anniversary of your joining The Beatles will be in August. Will you be doing anything special?
A. I’m not planning a big celebration. I’m gonna relax.
Prince William turns 30 in private
LONDON – The man who once was among the world’s most eligible bachelors has turned 30.
Palace officials say Prince William will mark the milestone in private with his wife, the former Kate Middleton, and perhaps some close friends.
William has been pursuing a military career as a search-and-rescue helicopter pilot while easing into married life and taking on more royal duties. He is stationed at an air base in north Wales and was recently on a deployment in the Falkland Islands in the south Atlantic.
He and his wife have made a number of public appearances in recent weeks, often representing his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, at events to mark her 60 years on the throne, a year-long celebration called the Diamond Jubilee.
He has seemed increasingly comfortable in public, escorting his wife, formally known as the Duchess of Cambridge, to high society soirees and “meet and greet” events.
Baldwin insists he didn’t punch photographer
NEW YORK – Alec Baldwin denied punching a newspaper photographer during a confrontation outside a marriage license bureau.
“If I had punched him, I would be in jail right now, rightfully so,” Baldwin said during an appearance on David Letterman’s “Late Show” Wednesday.
“I kind of pushed him out of the way because he almost hit me in the face with the camera.”
Baldwin’s confrontation with New York Daily News photographer Marcus Santos was splashed on the newspaper’s front page.
Police have confirmed that Santos filed a complaint against Baldwin, saying he was punched while taking pictures of Baldwin and his fiancee Tuesday.
A joking Baldwin noted that in the Daily News picture of his confrontation, he appears to be forming the letter ‘f’ with his mouth. “What I’m saying is, ‘What ‘f stop’ are you using on the camera?”‘
– From news service reports
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