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Attention Beatles fans: Ringo Starr does not want your mail anymore, at least if it’s postmarked anytime after next Monday (Oct. 20). In a video message that he posted to his Web site–which was strangely hostile, yet festooned with “peace and love, peace and love”s–he stated that he would not be opening any fan letters received at any of his addresses if it was sent after that date, and definitely not signing any objects that were presented to him for autographing after that time. Hey, we all have to draw a line eventually, I guess. But what happens if, let’s say four months from now, he gets a package that was postmarked Oct. 18, but lost in the Royal Mail for weeks and weeks? And for an added boost let’s say it was from someone who had only six months to live? Ooh, do I love mysteries, especially if they involve math. Ringo’s video missive after the jump.
Ringo Starr: No More Fan Mail [AP]
Ringo Starr No More Fan Mail [YouTube]
So, now, Ringo would snub Margie from Springfield …
[www.thesimpsons.com]
@Audif Jackson Winters III:
P.S. Please forgive the lateness of my reply.
this does not bode well for the reception of his future hologram duet at the grammy’s.
Autographs are the biggest scam in the world, and it’s bullshit that the kindness or character of a celebrity can be measured by their willingness to go through with a ritual that exists mainly to increase the value of memorabilia, and maybe prove that the celeb looked a particular fan’s face and/or name for 2 seconds. Good on Ringo for putting his foot down, I figure once a guy is pushing 70 he should be able to live out the rest of his life without having to sign every damn thing put in front of him.
Is that why Ringo never put out a solo album quite up to par with All Things Must Pass? He’s been spending eight hours a day signing crap from people? I kid Ringo, he’s put out good solo albums. But still, I think the only thing that surprises me about this is that he didn’t make this decision a few decades ago. The man’s a saint if he’s put up with it for this long.
@Al Shipley: But didn’t Ringo just contribute to this scam of an industry by instantly increasing the value of his autograph when he announced he stopped signing?
I’m kind of surprised to learn that the Simpsons episode referenced above has a kernel of truth to it. Or it least it will until Oct 20th. That’s kind of impressive if he was still doing autographs like it was 1964 all this time later.
I also kind of agree with Thierry that by announcing this, Ringo autographs just went up in value.
@Thierry: Maybe, but I think to stop he’d have to make some kind of public announcement. And seriously, he’s been signing autographs for 40+ years, there’s gotta be enough around that the existing ones won’t instantly be worth millions.
I’d like to be under the sea in an octopus’ garden where no one can reach me because I’m cutting you off after October 20th peace and love.
“Get off my lawn!”