Recording: Pure Gold, This Be Called A Song – Ringo Starr, 17 June 1976

Q: What did Ringo Starr record on 17 June 1976?

Backing vocal overdubs for 'Pure Gold' (with Paul and Linda McCartney) and additional vocals for 'This Be Called A Song', at Cherokee Studios, Los Angeles.

Q: Who wrote 'Pure Gold' on Ringo's Rotogravure?

Paul McCartney. He and Linda McCartney also sang backing vocals on the track.

Q: What is Ringo's Rotogravure?

Ringo Starr's fifth studio album, released September 1976 on Atlantic Records, featuring songs by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison.

June 17, 2026

Thursday 17 June 1976 | Recording | Cherokee Studios, Los Angeles, California, USA
Producer: Arif Mardin

On 17 June 1976, Ringo Starr worked on two songs for his fifth studio album, Ringo's Rotogravure, at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles.

Pure Gold

The backing track of 'Pure Gold' had been recorded on 3 June 1976. The song was written by Starr's former Beatles bandmate Paul McCartney, who — along with Linda McCartney — performed backing vocals during an overdub session on this day. The McCartneys were in Los Angeles on a break from the Wings Over The World tour.

Him and Linda came down, and I'm the hustler, I said, 'Do you want to sing?' At that time of the night – it was about eight o'clock – they said, 'No, no…' So we went out for dinner and ate, and they had a few drinks. Then we came back and wandered round to the studio, and they decided they were ready to sing! The three of us were out there, and I was a bit tipsy, as they say, so I'm shouting along with them, and Arif's saying, 'We've got you, you know, we've got your vocal down, so back off.' So, we let the stars take over. We love each other and there they are.

Ringo Starr, Creem, October 1976

This Be Called A Song

Although the McCartneys did not participate, additional vocals were also recorded on this day for 'This Be Called A Song', the backing track of which had been recorded on 25 May 1976. One of the backing singers at the session was Joe 'Bean' Esposito, who recalled the evening vividly:

Vini Poncia – who's a very famous record producer; in fact, I'm doing an album with him right now — called me one day and said, 'What are you doing?' I said, 'Nothing.' He said, 'I have a session. You want to come sing?' I'm like, 'Yeah.' So we're singing in the car, and he doesn't tell me whose session it is.

I walk into the studio, Cherokee Sound Studios — just a great moment in my life — and there is Ringo Starr. And then I see Arif Mardin, the legendary producer from Atlantic Records. And who comes in unannounced about 20 minutes later? Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney. And now I'm singing with Melissa Manchester, and Vini, and myself, and we're doing background vocals — I forget which song it was — and two of The Beatles are looking at me! And I'm thinking to myself, 'You've gotta be kidding me! I just got to L.A, and this is the first thing I'm doing!'

I called Eddie on the phone. I said, 'Two of The Beatles are here! I can't believe it. I'm never leaving. This is the greatest!' and we were just flipping out. But that's how I got to sing on the album — through Vini.

Joe 'Bean' Esposito, 1 March 2021

Ringo's Rotogravure

Ringo's Rotogravure was released in September 1976 on Atlantic Records. It was notable for featuring contributions from all four former Beatles — John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison each contributed a song, while Ringo performed and produced the album with Arif Mardin. 'Pure Gold' was McCartney's contribution to the record.

Cherokee Studios was located in Los Angeles, California. Ringo Starr recorded overdubs for Ringo's Rotogravure here on 17 June 1976, with Paul and Linda McCartney joining for 'Pure Gold'.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What did Ringo Starr record on 17 June 1976?

On 17 June 1976, Ringo Starr recorded backing vocal overdubs for 'Pure Gold' — with Paul and Linda McCartney — and additional vocals for 'This Be Called A Song', both at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles.

Who wrote 'Pure Gold' on Ringo's Rotogravure?

'Pure Gold' was written by Paul McCartney and recorded by Ringo Starr for his 1976 album Ringo's Rotogravure. McCartney and Linda McCartney sang backing vocals on the track.

Who is Joe 'Bean' Esposito?

Joe 'Bean' Esposito is an American singer and backing vocalist, known for his work with Brooklyn Dreams and as a session singer. He sang backing vocals on Ringo's Rotogravure after being brought to the session by producer Vini Poncia.

What is Ringo's Rotogravure?

Ringo's Rotogravure was Ringo Starr's fifth studio album, released in September 1976 on Atlantic Records. It featured songs written by all three of his former Beatles bandmates — John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison — and was produced by Arif Mardin.