We already established it’s National Grouch Day, and what better way to celebrate than with a video announcement from one Mr. Ringo Starr that after October 20th, all fan mail to "any address" will be "tossed." "Nothing will be signed" after the 20th of October, says the former Beatles drummer, amidst constant and somewhat mixed-message-sending assertions of "peace and love," because "I have too much to do." Ooo-kay.
But here at PopWatch headquarters, we feel this request brings with it a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. That’s why we’re opening our channels to you, Ringo lovers, and encouraging you to re-route your fan mail to us for safekeeping until the Ponytailed One comes to his senses. (We’re actually being serious, because, really, who knows what kind of wackiness we might cook up when the parcels and letters start arriving.)
Email your professions of cyberlove to popwatch@ew.com, or mail your most creative fan art/gift baskets/mixtapes/etc to PopWatch, c/o Entertainment Weekly, 1675 Broadway, New York, NY 10019, and we’ll give them the respect they deserve. Unless they’re truly frightening, in which case we may be forced to contact law enforcement. Also, if you have a really nice guitar that you’d like Mr. Starr to sign–maybe a sweet Gibson or Taylor?– feel free to send said guitar and we’ll determine if we’re able to fulfill your request. [Note: Neither Entertainment Weekly nor its employees can be held responsible for the return of guitars.]
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Oh, Ringo. Ringo, Ringo, Ringo. You are the unfamous one. Never forget this.
People write fan mail to Ringo?
When I saw this, it immediately reminded me of that Simpsons episode where Marge sent him a painting she did and she didn’t hear back until 20-some years later.
Ringo should have his head examined. He has so many fans that just want a simple autograph and many celebrities have hired people to do that for them. I believe it is a better plan than losing all your fans because you do not want to sign fan mail.
Ungrateful..
I completely understand how time consuming it could be receiving fan mail, he is after all 1 of just 2 remaining Beatles alive, but telling people to no longer send it? That is kinda harsh. Why not just say you aren’t going to answer as many anymore, because you are very busy?
I don’t know, but I just found the video a little bit rude.
Then again, I was never in a band that still has their songs played every day, almost 50 years later… Oh wait, that’s NOT a bad thing.
Ringo has always been my favorite Beatle (yes, I’m serious – you gotta root for the underdog), but that video was just… weird. Really. What’s he been smoking lately?
Ringo. No no no no, were you drunk when you made that video?
He actually has fans? Go figure! I thought he was the token Beatle, only there because the other guy was gone. What a douchebag! Get over yourself, man – you’re no George, John or Paul!
What a joke! I didn’t think Ringo knew how to read or write.
What a joke! I didn’t think Ringo knew how to read or write.
To all of you sarcastic know-it-alls….yes, Ringo Starr (to this day) receives ALOT of fan mail. In fact, he received more fan mail than any other Beatle during the height of their popularity…do the research. I found his video request to be rude and unnecessary, but don’t let your anger question his celebrity status…he was a Beatle. Like it or not, they were WAY more popular and successful than you’re favorite band, unless of course, it was The Beatles.
ringo, i think you matter as well as all the beatles my opinion is keep your fans….dont listen to people who think you were just an extra your awsome i really love your music,- due to butt-headed people calling you duecbag,loser,and fake they should think about themselves and realize how they are that and you are a prophesy
with love,
emily cheevers
Well, this makes me sad. I guess he’s not the man I thought he was all these years. I won’t write but I won’t buy or go see him either. I was hoping he was just drunk and didn’t really mean this…so sad. After 39 years, Bye Ringo.
Dude is like, hey, I’m a living Beatle. I don want 2 be remindud of some dead bloke and blimey success. Or that live one, for that matter.
Ringo had fans !!! anyway Who cares !!!! I loved the beatles as a group and now most of them are gone, but the music lives on. Grow up Ringo, you forget it wa sthe fans that made your group famous !!!
I dont really care about Ringo anyway, but I am sick of “Stars” getting rich b/c regular people by thier crap & then they act to good to be bothered with any of us lil people. We make em rich & adore them..Wake Up People All Stars dont give a crap about fans they want our money…So lets be SMART IN THIS SCREWED UP COUNTRY & stop giving them our MONEY! Or U can be stupid & actually believe Ringo cared about you”HIS FANS” EVER. Get Real
You EW guys are a hoot. But you’re more likely to get drum sticks than guitars to sign. And good for Ringo. Forty-five years of fame is a lot of signing and letter reading. Can’t blame him for wanting to spend the next third of his life doing something else. It’s just funny that he chose to announce it. I don’t mean to be mean BUT would anyone have noticed if he hadn’t?
Dear Marge. Thanks for the fab painting of Yours Truly. I hung
it on me wall. You’re quite an artist. In answer to your question,
yes, we do have hamburgers and fries in England. But we call French
fries `chips’. Love, Ringo. PS: Forgive the lateness of my reply.
Dear Sally. In response to you letter of December the 12th 1966,
me favourite colour is blue, and me real first name is Richard.
Thanks for the snapshot. You’re a real cute bird. Love, Ringo.
PS: Forgive the lateness of my reply.
I admit that this video comes across as a little strange, but Ringo is well within his rights to not want to receive fan mail. If he’s been signing autographs for all these years, that’s amazing. He deserves a break.
I don’t see the big deal in this. Ringo was always known as an appreciative artist; he’s been replying to fan mail for over forty years. Now he’s older, and he doesn’t want to do it anymore. Who cares?
Besides, most of the stuff he signs probably ends up on E-Bay anyway. The Beatles impacted so many lives throughout the years, and their music will be remembered for generations. That’s ultimately what matters. I say let it be.
I understand why he’s doing this – to be responsible for who-knows-what people are sending him to sign… it’s not like he’s saying “stop sending any form of fan mail” – it’s just “stop sending me stuff to sign and send back to you.” Although I really really REALLY wish I had one of his star-shaped tambourines…
i been a big fan of ringo starr for 30 years i understand where he.s coming from sometimes its very hard to answer fan mail some people need to see that i still love ringo no matter what
Ringo should grow up and realize that without the Beatles group he would be another struggling worker trying to make money to fuel up, eat, and survive in this economy. I far as I am concerned he is set for life.
god, you people are crule ringo WAS a BEATLE he was as special as all the rest of them i know theres only 2 more it just makes him more and more rare my opinion is hes my fave beatle enjoy wat there is of the beatles and get over what you think of ringo as ridicoulus and fake, ringo you really rock luv ya!
love,
Emily Cheevers
Emily, love, glad you sent me that little love note through EW. Thanks, because after this weekend, I never want to hear from you again. Love and peace–out.
Very poorly done Ringo. He should have explained that he was angry because of all the signed items on ebay for sale at ridiculous prices. He should have addressed the problem in a much different way. As much money as he’s made he should have a fan club that could handle these things in a professional and fan-friendly way.
If you found this as ridiculous as I did then you’ll enjoy this Ringo parody video:
http://www.funnyordie.co.uk/videos/320c8a2718
1. He has to stop singing songs about his former Beatle glory and sing more stuff like Back Off Bugaloo. Not that Liverpool 8 wasn’t touching, it was. He’s got a lot more to offer.
2. If he’s going to be grouchy about fan mail, stop with the peace signs. It’s hypocritical.
all I want is an autographed picture of one of my favorite drummers. I didn’t get the chance to get one of George, before he passed away. He was an under rated guitarist. I can understand about those leeches selling “prized” possessions on ebay comments. I would think that anything autographed by a superstar would be kept and shown off to your friends.