Ringo Starr Says He Won't Go Back On Tour Until At Least 2022

By Andrew Magnotta @AndrewMagnotta

March 16, 2021

Ringo Starr isn't giving up on 'peace & love,' but he is putting the brakes on his touring plans until 2022 at the earliest.

The former Beatles drummer appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Monday to promote his forthcoming EP, the appropriately-titled Zoom In (available Friday) and his new book Ringo Rocks: 30 Years of the All Starrs.

Asked how he stays positive and lives by his message of peace and love during such hard times, Ringo conceded that he's had "a few downer days, I can tell you that."

He noted that as the dates for his planned 2020 All Starr tour drew near last year, he got an overwhelming itch to play, even though by then it was clear the shows weren't happening for a while.

"We had so little knowledge of what it was going to be like," Ringo said. "In March, I canceled the tour. I said, 'Don't worry; next year, I'm going to do the exact same tour, the same venues, everything, and of course that's not going to happen. So I won't be going on tour till next year."

He eventually decided to channel his anxious quarantine energies into a new EP that features a cavalcade of huge stars.

The record's first single alone, "Here's to the Night," was written by famed songwriter Diane Warren and features Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh, Sheryl Crow, Lenny Kravitz, Joe Walsh, Steve Lukather, Chris Stapleton, Dave Grohl and several others.

Ringo said much of the recording was done remotely, but they managed to hold a few jam sessions in person with extra COVID-19 precautions in place.

Zoom In follows Ringo's 2019 What's My Name studio album, his 20th solo LP.

Looking back on the three decade-career of the All Starrs, Ringo told Colbert that he felt much more comfortable fronting the band, as opposed to playing drums, because of how intimidated he was by fellow drummers Levon Helm and Jim Keltner.

"What has been always the rule with the All Starr Bands is, you know, we're not there to be tortured; let's have fun," he added. "I will do my best for you and I expect you to do your best for me, do your best for him. We support each other."

For more on all things Ringo, go here.

Photo: Getty Images

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