Ringo Starr Announces Major New Album 'Long Long Road'
Music icon and former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr has unveiled exciting details about his forthcoming studio album, titled Long Long Road. The 85-year-old musician confirmed the release of this 10-track record, which promises to feature high-profile collaborations with artists including Billy Strings, Sheryl Crow, and St Vincent.
First Single and Album Details
The inaugural single from the album, It's Been Too Long, debuted on Tuesday, showcasing guest appearances from Sarah Jarosz and Molly Tuttle. Co-written by Sir Ringo and acclaimed American producer T Bone Burnett, Long Long Road is scheduled for official release on 24 April. This project follows Starr's 2025 album Look Up, which notably secured his first number one position on the UK's official country chart.
Recorded in Nashville and Los Angeles, the album embraces a distinct country and Americana sound, featuring many of the same band members from Look Up. Sir Ringo expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, "I'm blessed to have T Bone in my life right now and working with me on these records. After we did the last record, which I love listening to, this one just sort of happened."
Musical Influences and Creative Process
The legendary drummer highlighted the album's musical influences, particularly from guitarist Carl Perkins. "I recorded two Carl Perkins songs with The Beatles, and both T Bone and I wanted one on this record," Starr explained. "He found this beautiful track I'd never heard before, I Don't See Me In Your Eyes Anymore."
T Bone Burnett praised Starr's artistic caliber, revealing that their creative partnership blossomed after attending a poetry reading together. "I've loved Ringo's playing and his singing for my whole life," Burnett said. "I wrote him a Gene Autry type song because I always heard Ringo as a Texas artist, the way he played felt just like Texas music to me."
Burnett further emphasized the album's contemporary energy, noting, "Ringo Starr is a recording artist of the highest calibre, and I wanted to surround him with these young masters, bringing in some of this extraordinary young energy that's happening around Nashville for both of these records."
Starr's Enduring Legacy
Sir Ringo Starr, born Richard Starkey, rose to global fame as a member of The Beatles, formed in 1960 alongside Sir Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison. The Beatles remain the best-selling musical act of all time and one of the world's most influential groups, having achieved 18 UK number one singles and 16 UK number one albums.
Reflecting on his career trajectory, Starr remarked, "I like to say sometimes I make the right moves, like you can go left or right at any point, and one of the right moves was hooking up with T Bone for Look Up, and now for this one, which I'm calling Long Long Road, because I've been on a long long road."
The announcement of Long Long Road marks another significant chapter in Starr's illustrious career, blending his timeless musical style with fresh collaborations and contemporary influences.
