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Ringo Starr: Straight Man or Joker

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There are many books about The Beatles but most of them focus on the accomplishments of the group as a whole or the exploits of Lennon and McCartney, and to a lesser extent, George Harrison. Ringo Starr is usually overshadowed, so a biography on his life should have been a worthy addition to any Beatle fan's bookshelf. Unfortunately, it's not the book it could have been and ultimately disappoints.
Beginning in his teddy boy days in Liverpool and ending with his first "All Starr Band" tour, this biography does have segments to recommend it. In particular, the chapters covering 1970-1990, as Ringo's post-Beatle life has been chronicled less than his days as a mop top. We get some insight into his successes and failures in this period including wayward record deals and a bout with alcoholism.
Sadly though, Clayson's book fails to get close to his subject in any meaningful way. Ringo wasn't interviewed for it and nor were any direct family or former lovers or any of the other Beatles or Beatle sidekicks or musicians who worked with his after the break up. Clayson relies almost solely on newspaper stories, articles in the music press and other author's books to piece together Ringo's story. Those interviewed for the book are a bunch of no-names who could probably call themselves acquaintances of the man but nothing more. It's obvious that Starr and everyone who is really close to him, decided not to cooperate with the author, so Clayson's book reads like a scrappy research project cluttered with endless footnotes. Because of this, the book lacks depth and we learn little of the man who was once Richard Starkey. Clayson's writing style is also quite awkward because he tries to string together forty to fifty referenced quotes into each chapter, making it read like a university thesis at times. The odd factual tidbits are the only thing that recommend it because other than that, it's a hollow book, lacking both insight or emotion.

I learned some details I didn't know in this book, but otherwise it is a blandly written book, that didn't keep my interest (I skimmed parts). And I recently saw Ringo Starr in concert, and he was much more charismatic than I thought he would be (and I'm a Beatles NUT, so I didn't think he'd be boring!). To think that such a lively performer, and a living legend, could have such a dull biography written about him, is a shame.

This is the best book about Ringo Starr because it's the ONLY book, which is quite a shame. Ringo has led an incredibly interesting life, full of ups and downs, but this book somehow avoids those interesting stories. The author does appear to know a great deal about the music scene in England in the late 50's and early 60's, but he does not appear to know a great deal about the World's Greatest Drummer. For example, this book lists Ringo's drumming in the song "Birthday" as his only drum solo. What? Did he forget to buy and listen to Abbey Road and the drum solo from "The End"? This is a huge mistake. Mr. Clayson does not really seem to be very interested in Ringo, and he certainly does not appear to really respect him. Therefore, I think Beatles fans and Ringo fans will be disappointed by this book.

This book is just hard to read -- period. One would think that a biography on Ringo would be like himself -- fun. Instead, Clayson wrote a book on an interesting subject and made it as much fun to read as the collected works of Milton. Maybe Clayson is embarrassed that a writer of his "caliber" is churning out books on Ringo, instead of writing the great British novel, and wants the reader to suffer along with him. God knows he seems more intent on showing the reader how smart he is, rather than informing and entertaining us.

Clayson also seems focused on Pete Best, who I guess gave him an interview (Ringo would not). Finally, there are many sloppy factual errors in the book. The one error I found most ridiculous was Clayson's saying that there was trumpet on Helter Skelter. A trumpet? Is he sure there wasn't a fiddle and banjo on that one too?

One of the few interesting things about the book is a picture of Ringo as Elton John tries to kiss him. His expression is priceless.

It's good that someone has written a biography of Ringo. Unfortunately, Mr. Clayson's prose style is confusing and convoluted, and he touches on many subjects obscure to the matter at hand.

I don't know how someone could write a tedious biography of the quotable, affable drummer who (a) was in arguably the most important group in popular music history, (b) a man who overcame childhood illness and poverty to attain a position of wealth and celebrity, and (c) was a notorious socialite who partied with some of the most outrageous characters of the 60's, 70's, and 80's, but Alan Clayson accomplished this feat in "Ringo Starr- Straight Man or Joker?" This pedantic tome is rich with details on obscure Liverpool bands that very few people have cared about in the past 30 years and sketchy on revealing anecdotes from the part Ringo's life that the majority of fans find most interesting: the Hamburg and Beatle years. In addition, as a reader from outside of the British Isles, I found Mr. Clayson's Anglo-oriented prose and bias tiresome. However, Mr. Clayson's book did inspire a few questions; most notably, "Why did he write on this subject?" An! y reference he made to the Beatles (collectively and individually) and their music was invariably indifferent, unflattering, or derogatory. Unfortunately, Mr. Clayson's book is the only bio of Ringo I have yet found on the market; until another, superior bio is written (I don't see how one could be worse), this book will have to do for the millions of drumming and Beatles fans out there. Pity.

Glad to see that other reviewers share my thoughts on this infuriating "Maze" of a book. By the end of the first page you realize that you've walked into something that's hopelessly tangled and confused. You keep stumbling on in the vain hope that the whole nasty mess will EVENTUALLY "Straighten itself Out" . No such luck. Your persistence DOESN'T pay off. The endless twists and turns only get worse. I bought my copy for [money amount]at a local market. Boy, what a waste of Money!I started to read it late one evening. After a couple of minutes I found myself mumbling such comments as "What the hell is this all About ?". It's like reading a foreign language .... I couldn't "Cotton On" to ANYTHING he was saying. By page 23 I'd had enough . Suitable only for use as a doorstop when those hot North winds start to blow. ...

When I was a little girl, Ringo was my all time favorite Beatle (and I was a major Beatles FAN)! For years I hoped a good, comprehensive biography of the world's most famous drummer would be published, so I naturally expected this book to fit the tab.

Wrong! It is written in a rather pedantic, condescending tone and offers very little in the way of new information. Instead of treating Ringo with respect, the author appears to trivialize the major obstacles Ringo had to overcome to attain the level of success that he did.

Although I was very disappointed by this book, I am glad to see that Ringo is getting more coverage. My suggestion? Skip this. Read the Beatles' "Anthology" instead. You'll be glad you did.

I learned more about Rory Storm than I did about Richard Starkey. While I did gain some insight, there is little here for those who wish to know Ringo Starr better. Too often there are whole pages with little or nothing to do with the book's supposed main topic. I checked it out of the library, as it was the only Ringo book there. I'm very glad that I didn't waste my hard earned money on this pulp. I do not feel any wiser for having read it.

If you are looking for an easy and quick read full of juicy bits about Ringo and the Beatles, you'll do well to find yourself another book and there are quite a few of them out there as I can attest, having procured many by way of the exchange of my hard earned money for them.If you enjoy reading long convoluted sentences such as the ones I am writing here reminiscent of texts assigned by your professor in college, sentences I would add,flavoured copiously with English character,then grab yourself a copy.Seriously; this book is a must have for students and fans of British pop culture and early rock and roll. But mind the punctuation and keep a good dictionary handy.