Ringo Starr Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame

This post has been long overdue for two reasons; one being my busy schedule and little time to write, and two the fact that it has taken this long for Ringo Starr to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

"My name is Ringo and I play drums." -Ringo Starr's introduction speech, 18 April, 2015

It was this past Friday, 18 April 2015, that all members of the worlds most influential band, The Beatles, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when ex-Beatle Sir James Paul McCartney proudly presented his former band mate, Ringo Starr, with his rightful place in the Rock Hall. Although Starr has been in the hall since 1988 when The Beatles were inducted, it took twenty-seven years for all members to be recognized as artist themselves.

Starr, among other musicians and bands such as Joan Jett, Lou Reed, Green Day and others were given this prestigious award in Cleveland on Friday night in an event filled with love, laughter, music, and good vibes. It was a great thrill to have a venue packed with great musicians and celebrities from not only two Beatles and other inductees but legends such as Stevie Wonder were also present for the event as he inducted Billy Withers, and Joe Walsh, as Ringo's brother in law, was also in attendance and would make an appearance when Ringo spiritedly sang "It Don't Come Easy".

For Ringo's portion of the ceremony he delivered a speech about his beginnings and the meaning of being in a band, even leaving the audience with the wise words of;

"And another tip I brought for all bands who are starting out: When you're in a van, and you fart, own up. It'll cause hell if you don't own up because everyone will blame everyone else. Make a pact that you'll own up to it. We did and that's how we get on so well."

McCartney, who inducted John Lennon into the Hall in the 1990s, even started the ceremony with a beautiful speech about Ringo joining the band and the relationship The Beatles had and the relationship they still have today. Read about how Ringo was nominated to be inducted into the hall and Paul McCartney's work on helping his friend with this achievement by clicking here.

"It's a great honor for me to be able to induce him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland tonight!"

The musician loosely using the word "induce" instead of "induct" as a joke towards Starr's remarks of not really thinking too much about the award when asked about it earlier this year and McCartney being what Starr called his "manager", in leading the whole presentation. 


The two would reunite on stage to perform the beloved Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band song, "With A Little Help From My Friends" while Ringo would continue to take the stage with a song that "took his fancy" with The Shirelles "Boys".

You can read Ringo's speech on Rolling Stone Magazine's post by clicking here and Paul's speech here.

Congratulations Ringo!

Articles Of Interest;

• Ringo Starr on being inducted into Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame 
• Postcards From Paradise
• Postcards From Paradise Lyric Video
• Ringo Starr of Rolling Stone 2015
• Ringo Reflects
• Ringo Starr GQ Men Of The Year
• 57th Grammy Awards
• George Harrison Lifetime Achievement Award
• McCartney Achievements 

Remembering Cynthia

First I must apologize for being so late on this post, I've been extremely busy with school, work, and other endeavors.

Seven days ago {1 April, 2015} we lost a beautiful, strong, and independent woman, Cynthia Powell, or as most of us know her as Cynthia Lennon.  This post is not going to be a biography or in depth about the life of Miss. Prim but a remembrance by her beloved son, Julian, friends and other family members. I hope you all take part with me in remembering her legacy.

Cynthia Powell was born on 10 September, 1939 in a small room at a bed-and-breakfast in Blackpool to Charles Edwin Powell and Lillian Roby. She would grow up in what was considered a wealthier town on the Mersey called Hoylake, with her two older brothers and parents. She spent most of her childhood with her mother after her father had passed away of lung cancer while she was a teenager and her two brothers were already moved out.

She would later attend Liverpool's Art Institute where she met the class-clown and trouble-maker, John Lennon, whom she would fall in love with; their story is for a different post. John and Cynthia would later be wed in August 1962 as Cynthia was sought to be pregnant with the couples first and only child, Julian {Who's birthday we celebrate today!}. She spent most of her young adult hood in secret and hiding as John was a member and founder of an up and coming band from Liverpool called The Beatles {Maybe you've heard of them}, and the bands manager had thought it would be best to keep the child and John having a wife a secret from fans, whom had brutally attacked and criticized Cynthia as well as the other Beatles girlfriends when they were found at The Beatles gigs. However, in 1968 Cynthia and John had divorced as they had drifted apart, John was now with an Japenese Artist from New York named Yoko Ono and Cynthia had been living the past six years, alone, raising her son and trying her best to pursuit her dreams.

Cynthia would go on to wed three more times, her last husband being Noel Charles, and publish two autobiographies; A Twist of Lennon ( 1978), John  (2005).  She passed away from Cancer at age 75, Wednesday 1 April, 2015 at her home in Calvia, Spain with Julian by her side.

Many have come out to speak about her death and their beloved memories with her;

Yoko Ono shared the following via Facebook;

"I'm very saddened by Cynthia's death.
She was a great person and a wonderful mother to Julian.
She had such a strong zest for life and I felt proud how we two women stood firm in the Beatles family.
Please join me in sending love and support to Julian at this very sad time.
love, yoko
http://imaginepeace.com/archives/21271

May Pang paid her tribute multiple times on Facebook, stating;

"I am so devastated this morning!" 

"Please don't forget to watch this beautiful tribute to Cynthia by Julian. It tore me to bits. Miss you Cyn. xxx"

Along with sharing an article by Examiner.com featuring a picture of the two women.Captioned with the post;

"Cynthia Lennon's passing brings back memories."

May Pang updated her Facebook Cover photo to this picture of Cynthia and her

 Paul McCartney shared;

"The news of Cynthia's passing is very sad. She was a lovely lady who I've known since our early days together in Liverpool. She was a good mother to Julian and will be missed by us all, but I will always have great memories of our times together." 

While Ringo Starr wrote via Twitter;

"Peace and Love to Julian Lennon God bless Cynthia love Ringo and Barbaraxx"

Dhani and Oliva Harrison had  also shared via Twitter expressing;

"Sending our love and deepest sympathies to dear Julian Lennon. May God bless Cynthia always. Love Dhani & Olivia" 

with the following photo taken by George Harrison.

Julian expressed his love for his mother with a memorial website and tribute, please check it out at;
CynthiaLennon.Memorial.

Rest in Peace Cynthia