ON Aug. 18, 1962, everything changed for Richard Starkey.
The man who the world would come to know as Ringo Starr drummed his first live gig with the his new mates, The Beatles.
Since those heady days as a member of the most popular rock band in history, Starr has made 10 solo albums, been in more than a dozen movies, appeared as a regular on children’s television, built a happy family life and is even making funny, dry commercials for investment firm Charles Schwab.
Despite side projects, music has remained at the center of his life.
When asked who the real Ringo is, the 59-year-old legend paused for a heartbeat and said forcefully, “I’m a musician.”
A working musician, one might add, who will bring his All-Starr Band, featuring Eric Carmen, Dave Edmunds and Jack Bruce, to the Beacon Theatre Tuesday.
In this interview, Starr spoke about the ongoing All-Starr musical franchise, as well as the possibilities of a reunion with Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
He also addressed questions of his personal safety after John Lennon’s murder and last year’s attempt on Harrison’s life.
Post: Why do you figure your All-Starr concerts have been so successful?
Ringo: This was just an incredibly lucky format I thought of in 1989. I was asked to go on tour, and I didn’t want to be up front for the whole show, but I wanted to play with great players, play the drums and occasionally go in front and entertain.
People like seeing big-name musicians in a band situation – playing together and having fun. That what we do.
Post: Of the many editions of the All-Starr Band, what’s been your favorite?
Ringo: It’s like anything – I think the first time you do anything, that’s the most memorable. And on that first tour I remember playing “Back Off Boogaloo” with Jim Keltner on drums, Levon Helm on drums and Doctor John on a drum.
Playing with musicians as good as these men is great for me. Without the All-Starr Band there wouldn’t be any other way of doing this. Otherwise I wouldn’t want to pick one All-Starr Band over another.
Post: When you’re out of the public’s eye, who are you?
Ringo: I’m a musician. Yeah, I’m Ringo, this celebrity guy, but underneath all that I’m a musician. I’ve done many things – movies, for instance – but all the rest has come about because I’m a musician.
Post: You’ve also done lots of TV.
Ringo: That’s not for me. I’m not an actor. There many fine actors out there – they can do it. I don’t have any interests in acting any more. I only got the chance because I was in The Beatles.
Post: When The Beatles’ “Anthology” trilogy came out three years ago, there was lots of talk about you, Paul and George getting together for a concert. Has that been placed on the back burner?
Ringo: That’s not on any burner, anywhere. It’s not even in the kitchen.
Post: You’ve survived the rock lifestyle, have been in the biggest band in history, are happily married. What advice would you offer a young artist like Britney Spears?
Ringo: I have no advice for Britney. I just keep going. You have ups and downs in music and in life. I just happen to still be here. I couldn’t sit Britney Spears down and say, do it this or that way. We all just have to live our lives. In my case, it’s been a good life.
Post: What are the guideposts that you’ve used to reach happiness?
Ringo: I think it has all to do with the foundation I was given as a child. I also have supreme confidence in myself as a musician.
Post: How does the All-Starr Band work?
Ringo: Everyone gets to be the star. Like when Jack Bruce plays the old Cream song “White Room.” Jack is on the bass and the rest of us support him to the best of our abilities. We give the fans good songs, good music, that’s it.
Post: John Lennon was murdered here in New York. Last year, George Harrison was stabbed in the chest while in his bed. Paul McCartney has a large security team around him at all public events. What do you do to ensure your safety?
Ringo: I don’t like to speak about this, and I don’t like to read about this because it gives people bad ideas. But I am well-protected, in my opinion, and that’s the end of that story.
There’s nothing else I can do. I mean they shoot your presidents, they shot the pope. We can only do what we do, and you can’t let it interfere with your life.