I just found out that Ringo turned 70 last week.

S-E-V-E-N-T-Y years old.

OH MY GOD!

That is truly terrifying. That means I'm... no, I don't want to think about it.

What a terrible way to start the week.

Thanks a million, benq :(

<< That means I'm… >> only a few short years away from a horrible disaster eh CJ?

Yeah, you and me both. That’s a tad depressing, especially on a Monday morn’n!

Hmmmm

The real disaster was that the Beatles became so huge, with their very ordinary voices and musical abilities, and that someone as talentless as Starkey made zillions out of it! ( :>/

Ludwig: << with their very ordinary voices and musical abilities >>

I think your time has already come, old mate. You've clearly lost your marbles :P

Reaching the age of seventy sure beats its only alternative

<< I think your time has already come, old mate. You've clearly lost your marbles >>

Ooooow.

Now I weally am depwessed! ( :>(

HA. Old fogies.

Funnily enough, my eight year-old son (who has a bit of interest in the Beatles) already informed me of Ringo's 70th - we watched "A Hard Day's Night" recently and they were so young...

Gosh is he really as old as my dad. Time gets away.

Aww phoowey! This old fogey’s getting right away from this depressing thread….and away from the silly ‘puter screen and cyberworld and goin out in the real world… where the sun is shinin and the birds are singin.

Check out this asssolutely brrrilliant Beatles song, with exxxxquisitely suuuuuperb vocals by Ringo… (dear oh dear oh dear…how DID they become so big??!!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCsYDZ2M04M

Before anyone gets really depressed lets
get back to oohing and ahhing with some
of these facts:

Yoko Ono is 75, Morgan Freeman is 71,
Robert Redford is 72, Woody Allen 73,
Hugh Hefner 82, then there's also Sean
Connery, Clint Eastwood, Burt Bacharach is 80,
The Dalai Lama is 73, Willie Nelson 75, and
how about Sophia Loren, Jane Fonda, Diana Rigg,
Helen Mirren, Shirley MacLaine, Joan Collins,
Angie Dickinson. Billy Graham is 90 and Bo Diddly
was 79 when he passed away last year and was
still actually touring and playing until a
year before his death. He was even able to
perform after his stroke.

It's inspiring to say the least!
Especially when you read about people
like Geoffrey Edelstein, 67 who married
a 27 year old, affable blonde American
recently with a high-pitched voice and
an hourglass figure. Both enjoy the trappings
of wealth, cars, boats, helicopters, jewel-encrusted
watches... what's not to like?

Better to be "over the hill," than under it.

Yes Foxy much better over the hill, than under it, I like that.

The only problem is that the other side of this particular hill does tend to be a bit steep. Once you start to slide down it, it is surprising just how qiickly you gather speed.

I was only thinking of this issue recently...how quickly time goes....I was twenty when John Lennon died (only seems like the other day) and he would be 70 this year as well...

Yes better over than under.

However even about 1990 when 70s stuff got repopularised he was quite old. That is a long time ago.

Being elderly isn't all that bad for entertainers. Tom Jones is up somewhere around that age and considered 'sexy'. Clint Eastwood, Sly Stallone, and Bruce Willis are old geriatrics but they make great action movies. And have you seen the build on Sly in his latest Rocky? He is really put together. He is in better shape then most young men.

IT's called roids, mjpb. 20 bucks says he dies straight out from a heart attack.

<< with their very ordinary voices and musical abilities >>
Ludwig:
If you want to hear a 75 year old sing then go to youtube & type in Ivan Rebroff- Wolgalied or Evening Bells or the Legend of the twelve Robbers.. Now there was a voice !

<< I was twenty when John Lennon died... >>

That makes us about the same age Poirot.

Hey, you and I are really not that old or fogeyish... yet!

----

Nice one Indi.

Ivan Rebroff - Evening Bells. He sorta sounds a bit like me actually!! [although some that have heard me sing might beg to differ!! (:< 0 ]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLg0oRC4lUA

Ringo old ? I have to say that the Beatles never appealed to me much

As soon as musicians started to plug musical instruments into power points I lost interest in popular music. Give me the old big bands of the thirties and forties that played a different dance music and featured true musicians that could read music as well as play by ear. Some of those arrangements are still around and who knows might even appeal to a new generation. I hope so.

snake,

My father used to say the same thing - he loved the big bands. I don't mind a bit of Glenn Miller myself.

as with all idols Ringo will go the same way. Jesus Christ however will remain forever.

Dear snake,

My husband had the old LP records that his father
loved burned onto discs for him so he could
enjoy them. The music of people like - Henry Mancini,
Percy Faith, Ray Conniff, of course Glen Miller,
and many others. My father-in-law passed away a few
years ago, but we still enjoy the discs. They're
simply classics.

Sorry runner - at least Ringo's still alive. Last I heard Jesus is dead.

I had to find bro runners post :) yes.. quite right for some people.

CJ.. the account of our Lord's death is certain, as certain as his resurrection. So..sorry if that dissappoints...

BENNY...disaster ?

<< Give me the old big bands of the thirties and forties… >>

I’m with you there snake.

This one has been a favourite of mine for 35+ years…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n92ATE3IgIs

So Boazy, is the Lord a drummer too? If he's really still alive, is he still playing? Perhaps you could provide a YouTube link...

Seriously, I have incredibly eclectic musical tastes ranging from classical to blues to C&W to jazz to rock to R&B to whatever - even big band stuff. I think that anybody who can dismiss the Beatles on musical grounds is clearly a philistine, or at least has no appreciation of either rock and roll or pop music.

Yes, Ringo is probably the weakest Beatle in terms of musical ability and vocal talent, but nonetheless 'Yellow Submarine' and 'Octopus's Graden' have delighted generations of kids since they were recorded. I loved them as a kid, my kids love them and now my grandkids do.

Ivan Rebroff doesn't have quite the same effect ;)

Heh - quite coincidentally, the 'Australian Story' episode on the ABC now has a beautiful old Beatles song as its soundtrack - 'Here Comes the Sun', popular music at its best!

Ah CJ ya nawty!

<"Sorry runner - at least Ringo's still alive. Last I heard Jesus is dead.">

I doubt that people 2,000 years from now will know who Ringo was or that he'll have made much impact on history, whereas Jesus revolutionized civilization and culture and continues to inspire millions worldwide.

<"Nearly two thousand years ago in an obscure village, a child was born of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village where He worked as a carpenter until He was thirty. Then for three years He became an itinerant preacher.

This man never went to college or seminary. He never wrote a book. He never held a public office. He never had a family nor owned a home. He never put His foot inside a big city nor traveled even 200 miles from His birthplace. And though He never did any of the things that usually accompany greatness, throngs of people followed Him. He had no credentials but Himself."> (Bancroft)

http://www.why-jesus.com/history.htm

He's a genuine superstar :)

Actually Ringo is very well respected among musicians for his drumming skills. He has only several equals for the style and genre he plays.

If anyone was born after the mid 50s, then they'd not understand the musical revolution and social impact of the Beatles at first hand basis. If you were born in 1960 you were only 3 years old when the Beatles impacted on the world, and by the time you were 10 they were no more.

You had to be there to truly know that no act prior, or since, has come even remotely close regarding impact, both socially and musically. Lennon and McCartney are the most successful songwriters in popular musical history....... by a LONG way. Listen to John growl "Twist And Shout", or Paul sing "I Saw Her Standing There" or George's masterful vocals on "Roll Over Beethoven" ..... those guys could s-i-n-g. Their musical arrangements are legendary to this day among a wide, eclectic array of musicians the world over. George was an incredibly gifted instrumentalist.

But.....

No matter how great the musician there's always some nobody out there in loser land who thinks the music is pretty much junk, and the musician just got lucky. I've heard losers criticise the music and ability of Mozart, Joe Pass, Segovia, Bob Brozman, Jeff Lang, Joan Sutherland ..... the list is almost endless. It takes no talent to be an anonymous internet loser, while it takes talent to make good music.

But bloody hell! Ringo's 70. Damn Mother Nature.

If you are worried that you are not as young as you were,

Remember that:

You are not as old as you are going to be!

One thing I must say about the beatles, they had a lot of foresight in their lyrics. Why, they even wrote a song about CJ Morgan- Nowhere Man. Definitely ahead of their time.

Charming, individual. Fortunately, they recorded one for you - "I'm a Loser" (1964).

Seriously, what benq said in his last post. No other band has had the musical and social impact of the Beatles, and it's unlikely that any will given the changes in society and indeed music in the last 50 years.

You are right benq – the Beatles were great. I was too young to appreciate them at the time but I do like a lot of their stuff. Like all great artists, they’ve got their less-than-brilliant songs, like erm.. Yellow Submarine. But so what when they’ve got great stuff like these –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD4TAgdS_Xw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s_ryWs9xa4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mjGP-UTrlQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONXp-vpE9eU&feature=fvw

Especially the last one. Exquisitely simple. Actually brought tears to my eyes watching Paul singing it.

I have to agree with you Ludwig, I'm also becoming more appreciative of their lyrics as I get old.
Cj Morgan,
glad you saw the funny side.

Who is this Ringo Character?

I'm either to young to know or too old and forget...lol

"Who is this Ringo Character?"

The narrator on Thomas the Tank Engine.

Hay Foxy, you're singing my songs, with those bands. A string of pearls [& a few others] sends a shiver down my spine, every time I hear it start

benk: << The narrator on Thomas the Tank Engine. >>

Quite so. I'd forgotten about that - and he did a fine job of it too.

Pynchme: << Ah CJ ya nawty! >>

Yeah, sorry :) I was just riffing off runner's dumb non sequitur.

I agree that Jesus was much more influential than Ringo, but not about the resurrection story.

More importantly, could he play the drums?

Could Jesus play the drums? Doubtful. But, in the words of King Missile, "He could've played guitar better than Hendrix" . . .

Seriously, though, it always amazes me to see people like Ringo living so long, especially after the Beatles' hard living days. Mick Jagger is an inspiration in that regard, as well. How do they do it?

Sok CJ :)

For you:

Saint Peter is checking ID's at the Pearly Gates, and first comes a Texan. "Tell me, what have you done in life?" says St. Peter.

The Texan says, "Well, I struck oil, so I became rich, but I didn't sit on my laurels--I divided all my money among my entire family in my will, so our descendants are all set for about three generations."

St. Peter says, "That's quite something. Come on in. Next!"

The second guy in line has been listening, so he says, "I struck it big in the stock market, but I didn't selfishly just provide for my own like that Texan guy. I donated five million to Save the Children."

"Wonderful!" says Saint Peter. "Come in. Who's next?"

The third guy has been listening, and says timidly with a downcast look, "Well, I only made five thousand dollars in my entire lifetime."

"Heavens!" says St. Peter. "What instrument did you play?"

Otokonoko:

Trying for longevity, they might:

1. Sprinkle a little formaldehyde in their smokes.
2. Use alcohol as a pickling agent.
3. ... <- add suggestions.

pync

Well,................I KNOW this is heresy...but, I also think that the Beatles are grossly overrated!!

Mind you-Given that Ringo looks that way at 70!, there's hope for us all!

He and George were the two I liked.

It's the Stones for me!

Dear Hasbeen,

There are so many tunes that give me
goosebumps from the Big Band Swing era.
Tunes like, "Night and Day," "Song of India,"
"Sing, Sing, Sing," "Moonlight Serenade,"
"In the Mood," and so many others.

My husband took me to see, "Candy Man," starring
Wayne Scott Kermond at the Arts Center here in
Melbourne recently. It was a celebration of song and
dance. Show business is in Wayne Scott Kermond's
blood. He's the fourth generation performer in his family.
His family tradition has enabled him to acquire skills
such as singing, tap-dancing,, acrobatics and slapstick
comedy. It was a marvellous show and Kermond combined a tribute
to Sammy Davis Jr in the show. Great stuff!

It's said that Birthdays are good for you.

The more you have, the longer you live.

However, too many of them will eventually kill you so - make your own arrangements - and good luck.

Whatever happened to - - - -

Herman's Hermits
Peter & Gordon
Millie
Brian Pool & the Tremeloes
Freddie & The Dreamers
Twinkle
The Zombies
The Searchers
The Swinging Blue Jeans
PJ Proby
The Merseybeats
Manfred Mann

If you were not there then you'd not know what I'm talking about.

Benq, I wasn't there during that era, or at least not tuned into any of those artists back in the sixties. But I know what you are talking about, because there are some timeless hits from those guys that you still hear being played on the radio pretty often, such as this one from Manfred Mann:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30p0PJrHrgE

benq and gang.

Music, the chink in my armour.
Hermies hermits - minus Peter Noone (Herman) played in eastern Australia earlier this year. Pity they didn't stay hermits.

Proby made a come back to the theatre recently in England.

Millie (small) who cares.

Paul Jones (Manfred Mann lead) is still around in England

Freddy and the Dreamers (mk God knows) still makes reminiscing tours in the UK. "give me back my gabardine mack", "do the Freddy".

Peter and Gordon did a reunion last year, I think, in England (quiz question: What is/was their relation to and which Beatle?)
What was a Beatle's relationship with lead singer of the "Foremost" (big songs "thank you very mooch" and "Medicinal Compound")?

Twinkle! strewth gone and well forgotten ... watch her 64 hit 'Terry' on you tube.

As for The rest ...don't know.

Music that holds interesting memories for me.

While The Beatles influence is indisputable and the talent of Paul and John was huge as song writers ...I was never a huge fan per se.

Like CJ my musical taste is eclectic and driven by feeling like it at the time.

Some times baroque music, sometimes jazz (both), blues,EP, R&B, doo wop, barbershop , 40's,50's who remembers the song "little blue man"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MIt96aYFuM.

60/70's cheesy pop,

ethnic music,(including Ivan...saw his concert in the late
Ladysmith black Mambazo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJF87m4_k88&feature=related70's,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA2Qw3j2bxw&feature=related

*some* country pre adenoid and when they sang.

Nearly always music going on. At the Moment Terry Stafford the original http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAYrMsxMKp8.
Later he went country
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvEvplTE0VU&feature=PlayList&p=5346059F73F1459B&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=6

is warbling on next is Craig Douglas and 'time'
CDhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=697gX7UpvuQ
....ahhhh such soppy unrealistic sentimentality... isn't it nice?

My collection is over 1000 recordings singles, Albums, Tapes,CD etc.

Foxy, I'm jealous of your night out.

For some reason I've has The Swinging Safari, which really is a bit later, going through my head for the last 3/4 hour. Would you please come & retrieve it, I'm sure it's your fault, somehow.

Dear Hasbeen,

Tell you what...I'll play the tune on my
zither, if you give me a ride in
that wonderful car of yours.
:-)

Re: “Seriously, what benq said in his last post. No other band has had the musical and social impact of the Beatles, and it's unlikely that any will given the changes in society and indeed music in the last 50 years”

For once I find myself in complete agreement with CJ Morgan ( which is even scarier than Ringo turning seventy!)

But if you like The Beatles, have a listen to this – it’s like a bloooody reincarnation –and ab-sol-lutely brilliant.
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23PkA3G6NL8&feature=channel