Ringo Starr has praised the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, saying Brexit will allow the country to get back on its “own feet”.
The former Beatles drummer said he was “huge fan” of the EU when it started but it had failed to turn into a “love fest”.
Reacting to the referendum result, Ringo told the Press Association: “I think (it’s) good. Get back on our own feet.
Ringo Starr (Owen Sweeney/AP)
“I was a huge fan when (the EU) started. I’ve lived all over Europe so I thought ‘how great’. But it never really got together, I didn’t think.
“Maybe in a business way it got together but everyone kept their own flags … it didn’t really turn into a love fest.”
Ringo, who lives in Los Angeles, said he rarely returned to Liverpool but he still felt close to his home city.
Ringo Starr (Tony Dejak/AP)
“I don’t get back to Liverpool much at all,” he said. “I get back when I play there and that’s about it really.”
Asked whether he still felt a close connection to Liverpool, Ringo replied: “Oh yeah, are you kidding? I came from there. I’m a scouser. I know I haven’t lost my accent.”
Ringo ruled out reuniting with ex-Beatle Sir Paul McCartney at the California music festival Desert Trip in October because he is away on tour.
Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr (Zach Cordner/AP)
The festival will feature Ringo’s son Zak Starkey, who plays drums for The Who, along with Sir Paul, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Roger Waters from Pink Floyd.
Despite a career spanning six decades, Ringo said he still suffers with nerves before he performs with his all-star band.
“I get nerves every time,” he said. “There’s like five seconds before I go on, I want to go home.
thank you everybody for a great night at Humphrey's. with Ringo and the All Starrs Peace and Love 😎✌️🌟💖🎶✈️☮ pic.twitter.com/o4NpCK2nCC
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) July 2, 2016
“That’s why I run on. If I run on and grab that mike then I’m fine. My aim is to saunter on one time but it hasn’t happened yet.”
Ringo will celebrate his 76th birthday on Thursday by encouraging people to say his trademark phrase “peace and love” at noon around the world.
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) June 21, 2016
Former Eurythmics musician Dave Stewart will join Ringo and his wife Barbara for the eighth annual Peace and Love event outside Capital Records Tower in Hollywood.
Ringo said: “There’s been a lot of violence out of there so I just go ‘peace and love’. It’s the alternative.”
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