Ringo Starr's journey to releasing his first album in a decade in 1992 is a captivating tale of resilience and artistic evolution. While it's hard to fathom a former Beatle struggling to get an album released in America, that's exactly what happened to Starr in the 80s. Personal struggles and a slump in his musical career threatened to derail his career, but Starr emerged stronger with the release of 'Time Takes Time'.
Starr's 70s success as a solo singles artist, marked by hits like 'It Don't Come Easy' and 'Photograph', was a testament to his talent. However, his songwriting limitations led to a reliance on outside material, and his 1981 album 'Stop And Smell The Roses' underperformed. This, coupled with his record label dropping him, marked the beginning of a challenging period. Starr's substance abuse issues intensified, and by the mid-80s, his future looked uncertain.
Starr's comeback began with a stint in rehab to address his drinking and drug use. He made a concerted effort to rebuild his public image, and the creation of his All-Star Band in 1989 was a significant step forward. However, the path to a new album was not without its hurdles. Sessions with legendary producer Chips Moman in 1987 proved fruitless, and Starr had to shake off the disappointment and move on.
Starr's 1992 album 'Time Takes Time' was a product of the all-star comeback albums that were all the rage at the time. He worked with top producers like Jeff Lynne, Peter Asher, Don Was, and Phil Ramone, and surrounded himself with an all-star cast of musicians, including Benmont Tench, Brian Wilson, and Harry Nilsson. The album's lead single, 'Weight Of The World', produced by Was, was a nod to the psychedelic 60s, with lyrics that warned against getting bogged down in the past.
Despite a strong promotional push and a promising lead single, 'Time Takes Time' failed to achieve the commercial success Starr had hoped for. Released in 1992, the album's upbeat pop didn't quite jibe with the downcast grunge vibes dominating the rock airwaves at the time. However, the album earned Starr some of his best reviews since his 70s heyday, and the music has aged quite well.
In my opinion, what makes this story particularly fascinating is the resilience and artistic evolution it showcases. Starr's ability to bounce back from personal struggles and a slump in his career is a testament to his talent and determination. The album 'Time Takes Time' is a product of that evolution, and it's a reminder that even in the face of adversity, great art can still be created.
