The Beatles were known for their musical chemistry and close bond, but tensions within the group reached a breaking point during the recording of the White Album. It was during this time that Ringo Starr made the decision to leave the band. The reasons behind his departure were twofold: he felt that he wasn’t playing well and believed that the other three members of the group were closer to each other than they were to him.
Ringo first went to see John Lennon, who was living in Ringo’s apartment with Yoko Ono. He expressed his feelings of being unloved and left out, to which John responded by saying that he thought the same about the other three members. Ringo then went to Paul McCartney’s house and had a similar conversation, only to hear Paul express the same sentiment. Feeling like an outsider, Ringo decided to go on a holiday to Sardinia with his children.
During Ringo’s absence, the remaining Beatles continued to work on their music. There was an incident during rehearsals for Paul McCartney’s song “Back In The USSR” where Ringo was uptight about something and eventually left the band. The session proceeded without him, with Paul playing the drums on the rhythm track and additional tracks of each instrument being recorded later. However, within a few days, the differences were sorted out, and Ringo returned to the group.
The news of Ringo’s departure was kept secret from the press, with everyone involved sworn to secrecy. The band was already feeling a sense of tension and paranoia, and Ringo’s absence only added to the strained atmosphere. However, upon his return, the band welcomed him back with open arms. The studio was decorated with flowers, and the bandmates resumed their work together.
Throughout their career, Ringo Starr had never been the primary songwriter for The Beatles. However, he did have two sole writing credits for the band: “Don’t Pass Me By” and “Octopus’s Garden.” “Don’t Pass Me By” appeared on the White Album, and “Octopus’s Garden” was featured on the Abbey Road album. These songs showcased Ringo’s unique songwriting style and added diversity to The Beatles’ repertoire.
Ultimately, Ringo’s departure from The Beatles was a turning point in the band’s history, highlighting the tensions and struggles they were facing at the time. However, his return marked a renewed sense of camaraderie and solidarity among the group members. The Beatles continued to create music together, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of music.