Ringo Starr news

Former member of the Beatles, Ringo Starr attends a photo call before the opening event of Liverpool's reign as European Capital of Culture 2008, Liverpool, England, Friday Jan. 11, 2008.

Former Beatle Ringo Starr performs on the roof of St George's Hall as part of the opening ceremony to mark the start of Liverpool's year as the European Capital of Culture in Liverpool, northern England January 11, 2008

Former Beatle Ringo Starr smiles during a news conference to mark the start of Liverpool's year as the European Capital of Culture in Liverpool, northern England January 11, 2008

Former Beatle Ringo Starr arrives for a news conference to mark the start of Liverpool's year as the European Capital of Culture in Liverpool, northern England January 11, 2008

Former Beatle Ringo Starr (R) smiles with musician Dave Stewart during a news conference to mark the start of Liverpool's year as the European Capital of Culture in Liverpool, northern England January 11, 2008

Former Beatle Ringo Starr smiles during a news conference to mark the start of Liverpool's year as the European Capital of Culture in Liverpool, northern England January 11, 2008

Former member of the Beatles Ringo Starr, right, and fellow musician Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics attend a press conference before the opening event of Liverpool's reign as European Capital of Culture 2008, Liverpool, England, Friday Jan. 11, 2008.

Former member of the Beatles Ringo Starr, to right of yellow background on the left of the frame, and fellow musician Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics attend a press conference at St. George's Hall before the opening event of Liverpool's reign as European Capital of Culture 2008, Liverpool, England, Friday Jan. 11, 2008.

Former member of the Beatles Ringo Starr, right, and Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics attend a press conference before the opening event of Liverpool's reign as European Capital of Culture 2008, Liverpool, England, Friday Jan. 11, 2008.

Former member of the Beatles, Ringo Starr attends a photo call before the opening event of Liverpool's reign as European Capital of Culture 2008, Liverpool, England, Friday Jan. 11, 2008.

Former member of the Beatles, Ringo Starr attends a photo call before the opening event of Liverpool's reign as European Capital of Culture 2008, Liverpool, England, Friday Jan. 11, 2008.

CBS Early Show
http://media.vmsnews.com/MonitoringReports/010908/857176/W001287359/

JANUARY 22: ABC "LIVE WITH REGIS & KELLY" - (LIVE) INTERVIEW + 1-SONG PERFORMANCE ("Liverpool 8")

JANUARY 24: CBS "LATE LATE SHOW WITH CRAIG FERGUSON" - INTERVIEW + 2-SONG PERFORMANCE (incl. "Liverpool 8")

FEBRUARY 10: CBS "50TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS" - (LIVE) AWARD PRESENTER (8PM ET/PT)

January 12, 2008 -- BBC News

Liverpool gets the party started

No-one was sure of the line-up and the running order was shrouded in secrecy.

But people from across Merseyside and the world turned out in their thousands for the opening show to kick-start Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture.

The cold weather did not put people off and coats, hats and scarves were worn - along with flashing neon bunny ears.

Hours before the opening, thousands were already crowding into the city centre's St George's Plateau to ensure a good spot in front of the huge stage.

It began with the master of ceremonies announced that "Liverpool was, is and always will be nothing less than the centre of the creative universe".

As 2008 lit the sky in a firework on top of St George's Hall acrobats dressed as workers, symbolising the city's recent regeneration, ushered in a container of precious cargo which boasted a selection of the city's artistic community.

The electricity in the atmosphere was catching and people were turning round and casting a nervous grin at their neighbour or to ask if they had any idea about what was in the show.

But they all agreed that whatever they were about to see they would not miss it.

Vicki Nicholson, from Wavertree Liverpool, said: "One thing Scousers know how to do, is how to throw a party."

She was joined by boyfriend John Gerrard and 11-year-old daughter Amy.

"We came down early to get a good spot, we really wanted to see Ringo but this whole thing is brilliant and it's got to be good for the city.

"We were in Cork for their culture party in 2005 and this tops it, but we would say that." What they were treated to was a musical extravaganza.

Ringo stars

A lone guitarist played from the summit of the Wellington Column.

Ringo Starr opened the show with a drum solo which was met with a roar of appreciation by the crowd.

Later on he also whipped up the frenzied crowd with his new single Liverpool 8.

January 12, 2008 -- BBC News

City enjoys culture capital party

Tens of thousands of people have joined in a launch party for Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture.

Former Beatle Ringo Starr helped get the party under way by performing on the 100ft-high roof of St George's Hall in the centre of the city.

He was joined by acrobats who dangled on wires from cranes - designed to reflect the building work which has transformed the area.

The opening party kicks off a year-long programme of more than 350 events.

Fireworks exploded from the top of St George's Hall and lights and projections bathed the Neo-Classical masterpiece and other surrounding buildings, including the Empire Theatre and Lime Street station.

As well as suspending the acrobats, some of whom appeared to dash up the side of St George's Hall, the cranes also hoisted shipping containers, which were designed to symbolise the city's shipping heritage.

Organisers hope the Capital of Culture tag will attract an extra two million visitors and boost the economy by £100 million ($200 million).

The ceremony began at 2008 GMT and boasted a list of 600 performers, including Starr, former Eurythmics frontman Dave Stewart and The Wombats.

The show's design was drawn up by director Nigel Jamieson, responsible for the opening ceremony for the Sydney Olympic Games.

It took more than 100 tonnes of staging, 2.5 miles (4km) of fibre optic cabling and 250 people more than 40,000 hours to set up.

Two 40ft (12m) screens were erected to help the crowd on Lime Street enjoy the show.

Despite earlier criticism, Phil Redmond, Brookside creator and deputy chairman of the Culture Company said he was sure it would go to plan: "It's like a scouse wedding - a lot of rowing but it gets there in the end."

On Saturday the new Echo Arena will play host to a musical extravaganza which will showcase some of the most famous names in Merseyside music.

Ringo Starr, Echo and The Bunnymen, The Farm, Riuven, The Wombats, Pete Wylie, Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra took centre stage alongside community choirs and gospel groups in the "once in a lifetime show".

At a news conference the former Fab Four drummer said he was proud to be a part of the celebrations.

"I'm from Liverpool, I do feel that - it's in my soul.

"It has changed so much over the years but the atmosphere of the city doesn't change - it's still here."

Liverpool's art galleries and museums will also be open to visitors until 2200 GMT.

Experts at the North West Development Agency have predicted that the year-long title and other planned events could net £50m from tourists.

They also expect the same amount again to be generated on Merseyside.

Peter Mearns, executive director of marketing at the NWDA, said: "As the celebrations get under way for Capital of Culture the eyes of the world will be on England's North West and it is critical that we seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to show the world exactly what we have to offer here."

Кстати, люди, не имеете понятия, как с ним связаться? С Ринго?

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Ringo Starr talks to the Daily Post
http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-life-features/capital-of-culture/2008/01/...

Former member of the Beatles Ringo Starr performs at the Liverpool Echo Arena during the opening weekend of Liverpool's reign as European Capital of Culture 2008, Liverpool, England, Saturday Jan. 12, 2008. Other artists performing in the 'Liverpool the musical' event included Echo and the Bunnymen, The Wombats and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

Former member of the Beatles Ringo Starr, left, performs alongside Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics at the Liverpool Echo Arena during the opening weekend of Liverpool's reign as European Capital of Culture 2008, Liverpool, England, Saturday Jan. 12, 2008. Other artists performing in the 'Liverpool the musical' event included Echo and the Bunnymen, The Wombats and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

Former member of the Beatles Ringo Starr, centre, performs alongside Dave Stewart, right, of the Eurythmics at the Liverpool Echo Arena during the opening weekend of Liverpool's reign as European Capital of Culture 2008, Liverpool, England, Saturday Jan. 12, 2008.

Former member of the Beatles Ringo Starr performs alongside Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics at the Liverpool Echo Arena during the opening weekend of Liverpool's reign as European Capital of Culture 2008, Liverpool, England, Saturday Jan. 12, 2008.