Ringo, People.
I met Ringo Starr.
I know maybe you think because I interview so many people and have met so many people that it’s not a big deal. I learned my lesson when I talked to Paul. I wasn’t as excited as I should’ve been because I consider myself a John person. Ridiculous. Meeting a Beatle is like meeting a wizard. They literally changed the world. After seeing that Get Back documentary my entire perception of them changed and it was confirmed that they are rare magical beings.
The situation was a bit odd.
I went to an art opening. Lily Kwong has a show here in LA. She does very interesting, beautiful, photogram-type work that involves plants with various photographic processing techniques. She’s married to Nick Kroll. When I was there I saw a few people I knew. Ed Helms was one of them. I don’t think we’d seen each other since he was on the show wheezing from cat allergies in my old garage more than a decade ago. I didn’t stop the episode to help him. Needed to get that hour. I don’t think he’s been avoiding me because of that. Maybe.
Anyway, he was about to leave and I asked him where he was going. He said he was going to an event and he didn’t know what to expect. It was a listening party for Ringo’s new record. It reminded me that I had been invited by T-Bone Burnett out of nowhere weeks ago and forgot about it. I don’t generally love a quick change of plans but I thought, ‘Fuck it. I want to be in a room with Ringo Starr.’
So, I went down there. It was at Village Recording Studios in Santa Monica which is famous, I think.
There were about maybe 50 people there. I was looking for people I knew. It was a true Boomer music industry event. A lot of proud gray hair there. There were what seemed to be OG rock and hippie women there with their long silver hair. It was kind of awesome. The men just looked like old music dudes. The guys from The Milk Carton Kids were there who I had met at Conan years ago. I hung with them.
Ed Begley and his wife were there. They’re sweet. Joe Walsh was there. I reintroduced myself to him. He’s been on the show. He was polite. I don’t think he had any idea who I was. Stephen Stills was there. He seemed very intimidating to me. His wife was nice. It was cool to meet him. I get nervous and excited but I always want to talk longer. This was not the place.
Ringo came in and I kind of rushed over to meet him. He was with some other old music dudes. One of whom liked my Richard Lewis tribute. So, we all talked about how much we missed Richard. It was sweet.
Ringo was so Ringo. It was amazing. He was funny. He looked great. It was actually a real thrill to share the space with these folks. The record is great. Maybe I’ll get to talk to him someday.
The vacuum situation has settled down. Thanks for all your input.
Today I talk to the amazing Cynthia Erivo about Wicked and life and music and acting. Thursday I talk to Rosemarie DeWitt about her work and Lynn Shelton. Good week.
Enjoy!
Boomer, Monkey and LaFonda live!
Love,
Maron
