In the midst of its 100th-anniversary celebration, the Grand Ole Opry heralded another of music’s most iconic names Friday night when it welcomed Ringo Starr of Beatles fame to the stage for his Grand Ole Opry debut.
Starr released his solo country album Look Up in January. The 84-year-old rock music legend chose T Bone Burnett to produce the project, which also includes elite bluegrass stars Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle, lauded duo Larkin Poe and Grammy darling Alison Krauss. The 11-song album is Starr’s first full-length record in six years and his first complete country project in more than 50.
Starr closed the Opry Friday night with a three-song set that included songs from his new album and a Beatles classic – “With a Little Help From My Friends.” He dressed the part.
Spry for a man in his mid-80s, Starr strolled onto the stage wearing head-to-toe black except for a large, silver Western belt buckle and a substantial white cowboy hat that he promptly bumped against the microphone by accident. He removed it almost immediately. Starr received a standing ovation as soon as he walked on stage.
Ringo Starr: “As You May Have Noticed, I Dressed the Part”
“As you may have noticed, I dressed up a bit tonight,” Starr said from the stage’s famous circle. “I’m a cowboy inside. This is a great honor and an incredible moment for me. I loved country music when I was growing up. This would just be a dream to end up here. It’s far out. I want to thank everyone who made this possible.”
Tuttle and Ketch Secor performed ahead of Starr and stayed on stage to accompany him during his set. He opened his three-song set with “Time On My Hands” from Look Up.
After the song, Starr said it has “been a joy to be here and work with this fabulous guitarist and violinist.”
Before he launched into “Act Naturally,” which was popularized by Buck Owens, Starr explained that when “the four of us got together,” he sang it in the Beatles.
Starr invited Friday night’s previous Opry performers on stage to close the show with him and was flanked by Ricky Skaggs, Mickey Guyton, Rhona Vincent, Riders in the Sky, Mandy Barnett, and more. Starr enticed the audience back to its feet for the final song and closed the night surrounded by his new Opry friends.
“I Wish You Peace and Love”
His Opry debut was the cap on a busy week for The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. He appeared at his label’s showcase, Team UMG Live, at the Ryman 16th Anniversary, and he opened a new exhibit at the Musician’s Hall of Fame. His “Beats & Threads” exhibit includes Starr’s curated drum kits, sticks and snares, personal documents, and era-defining style statements that made music and fashion history.
“It’s been a truly magical week,” he said. “I wish you all peace and love.”
