Let's start with something that I'm not proud of but feels important to disclose up front. Last spring, I was interviewing Ringo Starr at the Sunset Marquis hotel, in West Hollywood, when I committed an embarrassing breach of journalistic ethics: As we were wrapping up, I asked Starr if he would pose for a photo with me. He moved next to me and flashed a compulsory peace sign as his publicist snapped our photo. 'Everybody does it,' she said, and then handed me a white 'peace and love' bracelet as a parting gift. Starr flashed another peace sign'a double this time. He is among the most scrutinized, fetishized, analyzed, and catechized people in history. I admit to feeling out of my depth, if this was not already clear. Usually, I write about politics. I am not accustomed to interacting with Beatles. As opposed to, say, congressmen. That first day I met him, Starr had a new record to promote'a solo record, it still feels necessary to say. I had been granted a brief slot on his...
learn more
