Legendary Songwriter Reflects on First Encounter with Ringo Starr

In an exclusive interview with the Mirror, renowned songwriter Gary shared his memorable first impression of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr. Recalling their initial collaboration, Gary described how he and the band spent three days rehearsing without Starr before he arrived. On stage, with little time to greet the iconic musician, Gary humorously expressed his anxiety about making a good impression while working on the song "Back Off Bugaloo." Gary praised Ringo as one of the "funniest guys" he has encountered in the music industry, highlighting his sweet and sincere nature. He emphasized the importance of maintaining confidence when collaborating with such legendary figures, advising fellow songwriters not to simply agree with everything their partners suggest, as it could undermine both their contributions and the creative process. Since 2002, Gary has been a consistent collaborator with Ringo, contributing to nearly every one of his albums. Their songwriting sessions involve Gary playing guitar and singing rough versions of new songs while Ringo plays the drums. This ongoing partnership has fostered a strong creative bond between the two musicians. In a light-hearted moment, Gary compared the experience of being seen in public with Ringo to being spotted with a Smurf, noting the amusing reactions from fans. He also touched on the hypothetical scenario of a Beatles reunion, expressing concerns about the resurgence of Beatlemania should Paul McCartney reach out to his former bandmates for a benefit show.