Link (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081013/en_afp/entertainmentbritainmusicpeoplebeatlesstarroffbeat;_ylt=AlYf9HsXbjxw74nD.5B1BSBxFb8C)


LONDON (AFP) - Former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr has told his fans in a bizarre online video message to stop sending him fan mail as he is too busy to sign or read it, and it will only be "tossed".


"This is a serious message to everybody watching my update right now. Peace and love, peace and love," the musician said.

"I want to tell you please -- after the 20th of October do not send fan mail to any address that you have. Nothing will be signed after the 20th of October. If that has the date on the envelope it's going to be tossed.

"I'm warning you with peace and love I have too much to do. So no more fan mail, thank you, thank you, and no objects to be signed. Nothing."

Fans of the former Fab Four can, however, still get their Ringo fix with a Ringo Starr bag, "perfect for groceries, the beach or any other daily activities", sold on the website alongside a Ringo hoodie or t-shirt.

I think it's very nice that he told his fans. He could have hired a company to rubber stamp his signature and fooled everyone. He's a busy man, with his family, music, and whatever else he has going on in his life. He has a right to set boundaries. Good for him.

While as an autograph collector I feel everyone (Ok, maybe not every A-list celebrity) should set aside the time to sign at least once per fan, I do like the fact that he is letting people know. So many people use secretaries or just don't sign at all. Him coming out and saying this lets the fans save time and money with writing and on postage, and prevents them from losing items they may have sent for him to sign.

I think it's very nice that he told his fans. He could have hired a company to rubber stamp his signature and fooled everyone. He's a busy man, with his family, music, and whatever else he has going on in his life. He has a right to set boundaries. Good for him.


Agreed, It was nice that he told them instead of letting them send items to be signed that would no doubt wind-up in the trash or somewhere else. Depending on the item, I would rather have it tossed than get a rubber stamp signature. Everyone isn't going to be fooled by a rubber stamp but unfortunately there are those that probably couldn't tell the difference.

As a Beatle, I can see why he might want to keep his distance from fans. Lennon was murdered by an obsessed fan, and Harrison was stabbed by an overzealous fan who broke into his house a couple of years before he passed away. Plus McCartney just recently had the Al-Qaida scare when he performed in Israel. Ringo may seem ingrateful to his fans but considering what his bandmates have gone through, I can see why he might be wary and try to keep his distance.

As a Beatle, I can see why he might want to keep his distance from fans. Lennon was murdered by an obsessed fan, and Harrison was stabbed by an overzealous fan who broke into his house a couple of years before he passed away. Plus McCartney just recently had the Al-Qaida scare when he performed in Israel. Ringo may seem ingrateful to his fans but considering what his bandmates have gone through, I can see why he might be wary and try to keep his distance.

Good reasoning, I have to admit that none of that even occurred to me.

I'm not superstitious, but I recall some years ago reading about a so-called
"Superman" curse (due to the early deaths of first George Reeves, then
Christopher Reeve). One could easily make the same case for The Beatles.

But didn't he at least send Marge Simpson a letter (after over thirty years), telling her that yes, they had French fries in Britain, but they called them chips?

But didn't he at least send Marge Simpson a letter (after over thirty years), telling her that yes, they had French fries in Britain, but they called them chips?

Better late than never! :lol:

i am also finding that i just don't have time for fan mail any more, so anything sent to me after Nov 12th is getting sold on eBay!

i am also finding that i just don't have time for fan mail any more, so anything sent to me after Nov 12th is getting sold on eBay!
:rofl: I heard that Ringo announcement on the radio yesterday.

i am also finding that i just don't have time for fan mail any more, so anything sent to me after Nov 12th is getting sold on eBay!

If I buy anything I expect it to be signed Certified Wackball or else I'll leave negative feedback. :D

Oh come on. He would not be where he is today with out the fans. Can't he just store all that fan mail away until he has more time. :rolleyes:

Oh come on. He would not be where he is today with out the fans. Can't he just store all that fan mail away until he has more time. :rolleyes:
Very well said - it's kind of like a slap in the face because he wouldn't be where he is now if not for the fans...

well, I agree the way Ringo went about it was kinda rude. But like I said before, it makes perfect sense why he'd keep his distance from fans. We're talking a man who lost a former bandmate to a deranged fan and had another bandmate become the victim of a break-in and stabbing. Ringo has been very lucky so far and I can understand why he might be a little paranoid after Paul's recent run-in with Al-Qaida.

McCartney was threatened by Al-Quada?

McCartney was threatened by Al-Quada?
yes, a couple of weeks ago when he performed a concert in Israel. They issued a threat that there would be hell to pay if he performs there, but he hired 5000 bodyguards and made it there and back safely.

But didn't he at least send Marge Simpson a letter (after over thirty years), telling her that yes, they had French fries in Britain, but they called them chips?
That came to my mind too when I heard about this. :lol:

well, I agree the way Ringo went about it was kinda rude. But like I said before, it makes perfect sense why he'd keep his distance from fans. We're talking a man who lost a former bandmate to a deranged fan and had another bandmate become the victim of a break-in and stabbing. Ringo has been very lucky so far and I can understand why he might be a little paranoid after Paul's recent run-in with Al-Qaida.

If that's truly the reason he did it then I can respect that.

well, I agree the way Ringo went about it was kinda rude. But like I said before, it makes perfect sense why he'd keep his distance from fans. We're talking a man who lost a former bandmate to a deranged fan and had another bandmate become the victim of a break-in and stabbing. Ringo has been very lucky so far and I can understand why he might be a little paranoid after Paul's recent run-in with Al-Qaida.
You bring up a good point - Paul had a LOT of security the night of the Tel-Aviv concert, which I believe was September 25th. At least Ringo is putting out the word now, before people waste their time and postage.

well, I agree the way Ringo went about it was kinda rude. But like I said before, it makes perfect sense why he'd keep his distance from fans. We're talking a man who lost a former bandmate to a deranged fan and had another bandmate become the victim of a break-in and stabbing. Ringo has been very lucky so far and I can understand why he might be a little paranoid after Paul's recent run-in with Al-Qaida.

Sure he has a right to be guarded, but why to such an extreme level?

What an ass lol. It's like the Beatles are still touring non-stop, making albums and all that. Oh wait :lol:!

Sure he has a right to be guarded, but why to such an extreme level?
I think he is afraid of repeating John's mistake about really being so open and presentable to fans. I thought it was super that Lennon would always go out of his way to sign autographs for fans and take time out for them and everything but it also was his undoing.

But to be honest, John and Ringo were on totally different levels, Lennon was mythic and controversial and pushed buttons while Ringo was always the lovable drummer and was always inoffensive. Paul's the same way, he's always been seen as a good guy and never really ruffled anyones feathers, which is why he never had any threats until Al-Qaida, who lets face it would've made threats against Mother Theresa if she was still alive.

ok well i'm not at all happy about that i mean i'm not plaining on writeing to him but still a lot of his fans are and i don't think they'll be very happy about all of this! i think hes going to be loseing a lot of his fans by doing this! i know there are a lot of weridos out there but still i think hes being a little bit of a jerk when he said hes just going to "throw them away"!

ok well i'm not at all happy about that i mean i'm not plaining on writeing to him but still a lot of his fans are and i don't think they'll be very happy about all of this! i think hes going to be loseing a lot of his fans by doing this! i know there are a lot of weridos out there but still i think hes being a little bit of a jerk when he said hes just going to "throw them away"!
I can understand why he'd want to do this considering the drama the other bandmates have gone through. But I agree completely that he could have come across much nicer in his video address.