6th March 1970: Ringo Starr Completes His First Solo Album Sentimental Journey

On 6th March 1970, Ringo Starr completed work on his debut solo album Sentimental Journey during a mixing session at Room Four in Abbey Road Studios.

The session was produced by George Martin, with engineering handled by Phil McDonald and Geoff Emerick.

Final Mixing Session

During the session, stereo mixes were completed for four songs that would appear on the album:

• Bye Bye Blackbird
• Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing
• Whispering Grass
• You Always Hurt the One You Love

With these mixes finished, the album was finally complete.

Ringo’s First Solo Album

Sentimental Journey was a unique project for Starr. Rather than contemporary rock songs, the album consisted of pre-rock standards and big-band era classics — music that had been popular during his childhood in Liverpool.

Each track on the album was arranged and conducted by a different musical director, including notable figures such as Quincy Jones, Elmer Bernstein, and Paul McCartney.

The project reflected Starr’s long-standing affection for traditional pop and big band music.

Released Just Weeks Later

Once the mixing was completed on 6th March 1970, production moved quickly.

Pressings of the album were prepared and released in the UK later that month, arriving during a turbulent period for The Beatles, as the band’s breakup was looming.

Although stylistically very different from Beatles music, Sentimental Journey marked an important milestone — the first full-length solo album released by a member of the group.

A Different Side of Ringo

The album showed a very different side of Ringo Starr, highlighting his affection for classic vocal standards rather than rock music.

While critics were divided at the time, the project demonstrated that the Beatles’ drummer was willing to explore musical influences from long before the rise of rock and roll.

The mixing session on 6th March 1970 therefore closed the final chapter in the making of Starr’s first solo record — a nostalgic tribute to the music that shaped his early life.