"Dear Beatles Fans and Friends,
Most of you have already seen the video that Ringo sent out yesterday
regarding a cut-off date of 20 October for autographed articles, photos,
etc. After 20 October, Ringo will not be signing items mailed to him.
The video of Ringo explaining this to his fans comes across a little...
abrupt. But after a great deal of investigation into why he released
this video, I found that Ringo had been graciously offering to sign
anything that people sent to him. And the overwhelming TON of things
that he had received was mind-boggling.
On one fan site, there was a list of things that people had sent in and
then a list of complaints. Here is a typical complaint, "I sent in two
photos, one set of drumsticks, one t-shirt and one sweatshirt. The
drumsticks were returned unsigned, and one photo was unsigned."
The complaints went on and on. No one said a word of thanks for the
things that were signed. And my mind is spinning with the image of Ringo
signing endless t-shirts, sweatshirts, drumsticks, and who knows what
else.
It was extremely generous for Ringo to offer to sign so many items for
his fans, but I imagine that when he offered to do this, he never
dreamed that people would take advantage of him by sending so many
things and expecting so much.
And it appears that he has reached his limit.
Bottom line... since August of 1962, Ringo has lived in a fishbowl.
We've watched every little thing he's done... we've commented,
critiqued, observed, and either cheered or booed. And now it's 2008...
almost 2009. Enough already. Let the man have some well-deserved time to
enjoy life. He had given us almost 50 years of smiles, songs, and
shenanigans. Now let's be gracious and give him the rest of his life.
Before 20 October... instead of a "gimme, gimme, gimme" attitude (or as
George would have phrased it, "I, me, me, mine!"), let's do something
for Ringo. Let's all write to him at the address below ONLY TO SAY THANK
YOU... thank you for the joy of your music, your positive attitude
through the years, your love toward the fans, your Ringoisms, your
headshakes and smiles, your humor, yourself. Let's send him a note to
say we love you, and we support you.
If Ringo is feeling overwhelmed, taken advantage of, besieged... then
let's give back to him some of the joy he has given us.
Please send a word of thanks or support (and NOTHING TO SIGN) to:
Ringo Starr
1st Floor
90 Jermyn Street
London SW1Y6JD
UK
And please pass the word on to everyone you know. I'd love to see his
mailbox full of thanks and love, not requests and complaints.
Jude Kessler
author of Shoulda Been There"
Source:
http://www.whatgoeson.com/blog/the-beat ... -little-he
lp-from-his-friends.html
