Peace, love… and a whole lot of country twang! Legendary Beatle Ringo Starr had of the most iconic weeks Nashville has ever seen, and honestly? We’re still catching our breath and it’s been two weeks.
The multi-Grammy Award-winning, two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer landed in Music City to celebrate not one, not two, but three major milestones: the opening of his brand-new Beats & Threads exhibit at the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, his first-ever performance at the legendary Grand Ole Opry, and the chart-topping success of his latest solo album Look Up, which just snagged the No. 1 spot on the country charts in the U.K. and landed Top 10 on the Billboard Albums Chart. Yes, you heard that right. Ringo Starr is officially a country music king.
“This week is truly magical,” Ringo gushed during the private press event and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Beats & Threads, which was held on February 19. “Thank all of you for being here today and celebrating this with me. I wish you all peace and love.”
And honestly? Magical is the only way to describe what’s happening here. The new exhibit — sponsored by Julien’s Auctions — is a full-on celebration of the music, fashion, and culture that Ringo has curated over his six-decade career. We’re talking iconic drum kits. Legendary snares. Handwritten notes and personal artifacts that have been hidden away in storage units across the country. And, of course, those unforgettable stage outfits that made Ringo a certified fashion icon.
When Celeb Secrets host Juliet Schroder caught up with Ringo at the event, he told us putting it all together felt like a trip down memory lane.
“What was amazing when we first found all this stuff, you know, it was in several different parts of the country in storage,” he explained. “I’d forgotten all about it. So putting it all together was like… wow.”
While fans can expect plenty of jaw-dropping pieces, Ringo thinks there are a few showstoppers everyone is going to freak out over.
“They love to see the drums,” he shared with a smile. “And some of the album clothes… somebody mentioned the plastic coat. So trendy.”
And if you’re already manifesting a wardrobe inspired by Ringo’s legendary looks? Same.
But the party didn’t stop there. Just two days after the exhibit’s grand reveal, Ringo kept the good vibes rolling with his Grand Ole Opry debut as part of the iconic venue’s 100th Anniversary celebration. Decked out in a crisp white cowboy hat and looking like the coolest guy in the room (per usual), Ringo finally lived out his country dreams on one of the genre’s most sacred stages.
“As you may have noticed, I dressed up a bit tonight. I’m a cowboy inside,” Ringo joked from the stage. “This is a great honor and an incredible moment for me. It’s just a dream to end up here.”
If you’re thinking Ringo and country music are a surprising duo, think again. His love affair with the genre has been brewing for decades, dating all the way back to his Beatles days with country-inspired tracks like “Act Naturally,” “What Goes On,” and “Don’t Pass Me By.” He even dropped a full country album, Beaucoups of Blues, back in 1970.
And now, with Look Up, he’s taken that love to new heights. What started as a casual ask for a song from his longtime friend T Bone Burnett turned into a full-fledged country project, with Burnett delivering nine original tracks that Ringo couldn’t resist turning into a full album. The result? His first-ever No. 1 country record and a full-on Ringo renaissance.
Of course, Nashville welcomed him with open arms — because who wouldn’t want a Beatle-turned-cowboy in their club? And it’s clear Ringo is just as charmed by the city as we are by him.
“I’ve been having a great time being here,” he said to media. “In January I played the Ryman and released my new record Look Up. It feels really great to be number one! I’m so excited to get to play the Opry this week.”
And as if the week wasn’t already legendary enough, there’s still more to come. Ringo teased to Celeb Secrets that Beats & Threads may continue to evolve, so keep your eyes peeled for new additions, including a sneak peek at a green and white striped suit that’s already on our wishlist.
If you want to experience a little piece of this rock and country history yourself, Beats & Threads is officially open to the public at the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville, with limited-edition hardcover books featuring the collection available exclusively through the museum and Julien’s. You can purchase tickets to see it IRL either in-person at the museum or online here.
From Liverpool to Nashville, drumsticks to cowboy boots, Ringo Starr is showing us all how it’s done — proving that even after 60 years, he’s still finding ways to make music history.
As the man himself would say… Peace and Love ☮️ ❤️.
Check out our full interview with Ringo below and don’t forget to let us know if you’re loving Look Up by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecretscountry.
