US album release: Ringo by Ringo Starr – 2 November 1973

2 November 1973 | Album releases | Ringo Starr

On 2 November 1973, Ringo, Ringo Starr’s third solo studio album, was released in the United States on Apple Records. Produced by Richard Perry, it brought together Starr’s distinctive lead vocals, an unusually strong selection of songs and a guest list that included all three of his former Beatles bandmates. Its American success, followed by two number-one singles, made it a defining release in his solo recording career.

It was not a Beatles reunion album. John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison contributed to different recordings, with no track featuring all four Beatles together. That distinction matters: Ringo was a Starr-led project, organised around his voice and personality rather than an attempt to restart the group.

Where Ringo fitted into Starr’s solo career

Starr’s first two solo albums had explored very different musical territory. Sentimental Journey collected standards, while Beaucoups of Blues took him to Nashville for a country album. Released in 1970, both preceded the pop success of the standalone singles ‘It Don’t Come Easy’ and ‘Back Off Boogaloo’.

Ringo therefore followed proven solo hits, but offered something those earlier albums had not: a contemporary pop and rock collection built with an experienced producer and a broad supporting cast. Starr could sing a reflective ballad, an affectionate old favourite and a lively rock number without needing to imitate the approach of Lennon, McCartney or Harrison.

For the wider sequence of albums, explore our Ringo Starr solo discography. Our Ringo Starr career guide places these recordings alongside his Beatles work and later musical projects.

Richard Perry and the 1973 recording sessions

Recording began at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles on 5 March 1973. Richard Perry produced the sessions, with Bill Schnee among the key recording personnel. Further work took place during the following months, including sessions in London. The album was assembled across several recording dates, not captured at a single gathering of all its guests.

Perry’s job involved more than bringing famous names into a studio. The recordings needed to function as a consistent album with Starr at the centre. The arrangements gave room to keyboards, guitars, brass, backing vocals and contrasting rhythmic approaches, while retaining the directness of his singing.

The supporting musicians included Billy Preston, Klaus Voormann, Nicky Hopkins, Jim Keltner and Harry Nilsson. Their presence connected the record with a wider circle of musicians who had worked with the Beatles and their solo projects. Members of The Band also contributed, particularly to the country-flavoured ‘Sunshine Life for Me (Sail Away Raymond)’.

What did John, Paul and George contribute?

John Lennon and ‘I’m the Greatest’

Lennon wrote the opening track, ‘I’m the Greatest’. He participated in its recording alongside Starr and Harrison, making it one of the album’s most discussed sessions. The song’s boastful title works as a character piece in Starr’s hands, rather than a literal declaration of superiority.

The presence of three former Beatles naturally attracted attention, but McCartney did not perform on this recording. The track is evidence of continuing collaboration between former bandmates, not a completed four-man reunion.

George Harrison’s songs and playing

Harrison co-wrote ‘Photograph’ with Starr, wrote ‘Sunshine Life for Me (Sail Away Raymond)’ and co-wrote ‘You and Me (Babe)’ with Mal Evans. He also played on the album. These contributions ranged from a major pop ballad to a looser ensemble performance and the affectionate closing song.

‘Photograph’ became the album’s signature original song. Its contrast between an image that remains and a relationship that has ended gave Starr a clear emotional narrative, supported by an expansive arrangement. It was already available as a single before American listeners could buy the album.

Paul and Linda McCartney’s ‘Six O’Clock’

Paul and Linda McCartney wrote ‘Six O’Clock’, with both contributing to the recording. Paul also supplied the famous kazoo-like vocal solo on ‘You’re Sixteen’. These were separate contributions from the Lennon-led ‘I’m the Greatest’ session, another reason not to describe the album as all four Beatles recording together.

‘Photograph’, ‘You’re Sixteen’ and ‘Oh My My’

‘Photograph’ was released in America on 24 September 1973, backed with ‘Down and Out’. Its advance release helped establish an audience for the album. In Britain the single followed on 19 October. It subsequently reached number one in the United States.

Starr’s version of ‘You’re Sixteen’, written by the Sherman brothers and previously a hit for Johnny Burnette, supplied another American number one. Harry Nilsson’s backing vocals and McCartney’s vocal contribution were part of its distinctive arrangement. Unlike ‘Photograph’, this was a revival of an existing song rather than a newly written Starr composition.

‘Oh My My’, co-written by Starr and Vini Poncia, provided a further American top-five hit. Together, the three singles demonstrate the variety of the LP: a reflective original, a familiar pop song and a rhythm-driven contemporary recording.

Original Ringo album track listing

The original album contained ten songs. Later reissues added recordings that should not be confused with the 1973 LP sequence.

Side one

1. I’m the Greatest
2. Have You Seen My Baby?
3. Photograph
4. Sunshine Life for Me (Sail Away Raymond)
5. You’re Sixteen

Side two

1. Oh My My
2. Step Lightly
3. Six O’Clock
4. Devil Woman
5. You and Me (Babe)

Randy Newman wrote ‘Have You Seen My Baby?’, while Starr’s own writing appeared both independently and in collaboration. The sequence closes with ‘You and Me (Babe)’, including spoken acknowledgements that make the supporting musicians part of the record’s farewell.

The illustrated album cover

The cover presents Starr on a theatrical stage, framed by curtains, a crowded illustrated audience and huge illuminated lettering. Its ensemble setting suits an album with so many guest contributors. The artwork is by Tim Bruckner, while Klaus Voormann supplied illustrations for the album’s accompanying booklet.

For readers looking for artist-specific merchandise, the Ringo Starr Colour Peace T-shirt offers a direct Ringo connection rather than an unrelated album design.

How successful was Ringo?

The album reached number two on the Billboard 200 in America and number seven in Britain. It also topped the Canadian album chart. These results, together with the American singles, established it as one of Starr’s most commercially successful solo releases.

Its importance is not limited to chart positions. Ringo demonstrated a repeatable way of making a Starr album: strong outside material, his own songwriting, familiar musical collaborators and a producer who understood how to bring those elements together. The gathering of friends would remain a recognisable feature of his recording career.

Frequently asked questions

When was Ringo released in the United States?

Ringo Starr’s Ringo was released in the United States on 2 November 1973 on Apple Records.

Did all four Beatles play on Ringo?

All four former Beatles contributed to the album, but they did not perform together on any one track.

Who produced the Ringo album?

Richard Perry produced the album, with recording beginning at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles in March 1973.

Which songs from Ringo reached number one in America?

‘Photograph’ and ‘You’re Sixteen’ both reached number one on the US singles chart.

Was Ringo Starr’s first solo album?

No. It was his third solo studio album, following Sentimental Journey and Beaucoups of Blues, both released in 1970.

Were ‘It Don’t Come Easy’ and ‘Early 1970’ on the original LP?

No. They were added to later editions; the original 1973 LP contained ten tracks.

Explore all 24 stories in our 2 November in Beatles history timeline, from Hamburg performances to Now And Then and the solo years.