Ringo Starr made history in 1973 when he became the only former Beatle with two consecutive No. 1 singles in the Billboard Hot 100Fifty years later, his records remain unbroken — and the re-release of his early albums is a reminder of why pop loved him.
Five decades ago, Ringo Starr made history, not behind the Beatles' drums, but on his own, in a way that no one else has yet repeated. In 1973-74, at a time when music was full of glam, rock and pop energy, Ringo achieved something that neither John Lennon, nor Paul McCartney, nor even George Harrison could: he reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with two consecutive singles from the same album.
Today's announcement by UMe that they are re-releasing his first four solo albums on collectible colored vinyl has put the spotlight back on the iconic Ringo in 1973 — the album that definitively established him as an independent artist. Produced by the legendary Richard Perry, who knew exactly what radio was looking for at the time: pop with groove, humor, and soul touches.
The result? A box-office smash, Ringo had two consecutive No. 1 hits and a third top-five single — something no other former Beatle had done to date.
The first single, the “Photograph”, co-wrote it with George Harrison — one of those magical moments that reminded us that the Beatles might be over, but their chemistry wasn't. The song went to No. 1 in November 1973 and became an instant classic. Just two months later, Ringo returned to the top with “You're Sixteen”, a hilarious remake of an old rock 'n' roll hit by Johnny Burnette. And when it was his turn “Oh My My”, the song may have stayed at No. 5, but it made history: the Ringo became the only ex-Beatle album with three songs in the top 5 Billboard Hot 100.
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The album wasn't just a hit — it was a pop statement. Ringo Starr collaborated with the three remaining Beatles — Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison — as well as friends like Harry Nilsson, Martha Reeves, Billy Preston, Marc Bolan of the T.Rex and members of The BandIt was an album full of energy, full of personality — and most of all, full of Ringo.
When it was released on November 2, 1973, it reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200, hindered only by Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Elton John. And yet, he didn't take it the wrong way — Elton even played piano and co-wrote a song for Ringo's next album, Goodnight ViennaAnyway, Ringo wasn't chasing the top; he just wanted to make music that made him happy.
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It's almost unbelievable how close the rest of the Beatles came to these records without breaking them. McCartney with the Wings had it “Silly Love Songs” at No. 1 and the “Let ‘Em In” at No. 3 in 1976, while Lennon with double fantasy came close to the “(Just Like) Starting Over” and "Woman"But no one had Ringo's streak: two No. 1s from the same album and a third in the top 5.
And perhaps the most beautiful thing is that he did it with the smile that always characterized him. Ringo Starr was never the most “serious” Beatle, nor the most dramatic. He was the one who brought the groove, the joy and a sense of relaxation. In Ringo By 1973, all this energy was translated into songs that seemed made for radio — happy, full of rhythm and humor.
The audience loved this style at the time: happy pop with a rock backbeat and upbeat lyrics. Producer Richard Perry, already known for his work with Carly Simon and Barbra Streisand, managed to “dress” Ringo’s voice with the ideal sound of the era — with strings, brass and a complex groove that was both pop and sophisticated.
When Perry died in 2024 at the age of 82, many critics recalled that the man who helped Carly Simon say "you're so vain" was the same man who gave Ringo his greatest album.
Today, UMe is honoring his legacy with a series of collectible colored vinyls that will be released on October 24th. The Sentimental Journey, Beaucoups of Blues, Ringo and Goodnight Vienna Available in vibrant colors like Buttermilk Yellow, Baby Blue and Molten Lava, it's a collection for fans, but also for anyone who wants to rediscover just how multifaceted Ringo was beyond the Beatles.
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For those who grew up with them Beatles, Ringo was the “happy guy on the drums.” But in 1973 he proved that he could also stand in front of the microphone, as a true pop star. And despite the fact that he failed to reach No. 1 in Billboard 200, his star never faded.
Even today, at the age of 85, Ringo Starr continues to write, perform, and fill stages around the world. His love of music was never a matter of success — it was a way of life. And perhaps that's why he remains the only former Beatle to still hold those Hot 100 records like no other.
Fifty years after Ringo, his name continues to be accompanied by a smile and a sense of joy — just like his music.
