On This Day in Beatles History: Ringo Starr Records Have You Seen My Baby & Devil Woman – 11 July 1973
On 11 July 1973, Ringo Starr held an overdub session at Producers Workshop in Los Angeles, working on two tracks for his third studio album, Ringo. The session was produced by Richard Perry and engineered by Bill Schnee. Work continued on 'Have You Seen My Baby' and 'Devil Woman' was completed on this date.
Session Details
- Date: 11 July 1973
- Studio: Producers Workshop, Los Angeles, California
- Producer: Richard Perry
- Engineer: Bill Schnee
- Album: Ringo (released November 1973)
- Tracks worked on: 'Have You Seen My Baby', 'Devil Woman'
Have You Seen My Baby
'Have You Seen My Baby' is a cover of the Randy Newman song, originally released on Newman’s 1970 debut album 12 Songs. The backing track for Ringo’s version had been recorded on 5 March 1973, with initial overdubs taped on 15 May. The 11 July session continued the overdub work on the track as the album moved towards completion.
The choice of a Randy Newman song was characteristic of the eclectic, star-studded approach that producer Richard Perry brought to the Ringo sessions. Perry had established himself as one of the most commercially astute producers in Los Angeles, with credits including Carly Simon, Harry Nilsson, and Barbra Streisand, and his instinct for matching artists with material gave the album a polished, radio-friendly quality.
Devil Woman
'Devil Woman' had been started on 8 March 1973, with initial overdubs recorded on 12 May. It was completed on 11 July, making this the final session for the track. The song was written by Ringo Starr and Vince Charles, and appeared on the finished Ringo album.
The Ringo Album
Ringo, released in November 1973, was Ringo Starr’s most commercially and critically successful solo album. It reached number two in the UK and number two in the US, and spawned two top-ten singles: 'Photograph' (co-written with George Harrison) and 'You’re Sixteen'.
The album was notable for the extraordinary roster of contributors assembled by Richard Perry. All three of Ringo’s former Beatles bandmates appeared on the record — the only post-Beatles album to feature contributions from John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison, making it the closest thing to a Beatles reunion recording of the 1970s. Lennon contributed 'I’m the Greatest', McCartney and Linda McCartney wrote and performed on 'Six O’Clock', and Harrison co-wrote 'Photograph' and played on several tracks.
Other contributors included Marc Bolan, Harry Nilsson, and members of the Band. The sessions took place across multiple studios in Los Angeles and London throughout the first half of 1973, with Producers Workshop serving as one of the primary recording locations.
Richard Perry and the Los Angeles Sessions
Richard Perry’s production of Ringo was a defining moment in Ringo Starr’s post-Beatles career. Perry’s approach — assembling an all-star cast, choosing material carefully, and applying a clean, contemporary production style — gave Starr a commercial platform that none of his previous solo albums had achieved. The album demonstrated that Starr could hold his own as a solo artist, not merely as a former Beatle riding on nostalgia.
Bill Schnee, who engineered the 11 July session, was one of the most respected recording engineers in Los Angeles during the 1970s, known for his work on major pop and rock albums throughout the decade.
On This Day in Beatles History
- Date: 11 July 1973
- Artist: Ringo Starr
- Studio: Producers Workshop, Los Angeles
- Producer: Richard Perry | Engineer: Bill Schnee
- Have You Seen My Baby: Overdub session (backing track recorded 5 March; initial overdubs 15 May)
- Devil Woman: Completed (started 8 March; initial overdubs 12 May)
- Album: Ringo, released November 1973
Explore More Beatles History
- Ringo Starr: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
- July in Beatles History
- The Beatles Knowledge Hub
- 11 July in Beatles History
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ringo Starr record on 11 July 1973?
Ringo Starr held an overdub session at Producers Workshop in Los Angeles, continuing work on 'Have You Seen My Baby' and completing 'Devil Woman' for his album Ringo.
What is the album Ringo?
Ringo was Ringo Starr’s third studio album, released in November 1973. It reached number two in both the UK and US charts and featured contributions from all three of his former Beatles bandmates — the only post-Beatles album to do so.
Who produced the Ringo album?
Richard Perry produced Ringo, with sessions taking place at studios in Los Angeles and London throughout 1973. Perry was one of the most commercially successful producers in Los Angeles at the time.
Who wrote Have You Seen My Baby?
'Have You Seen My Baby' was written by Randy Newman and originally appeared on his 1970 debut album 12 Songs. Ringo Starr’s cover appeared on the Ringo album.
Did any other Beatles appear on the Ringo album?
Yes. All three of Ringo’s former bandmates contributed: John Lennon wrote and performed on 'I’m the Greatest', Paul and Linda McCartney wrote and performed on 'Six O’Clock', and George Harrison co-wrote 'Photograph' and played on several tracks.
Who was Bill Schnee?
Bill Schnee was one of the most respected recording engineers in Los Angeles during the 1970s, known for his work on major pop and rock albums throughout the decade. He engineered the 11 July 1973 session at Producers Workshop.
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