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Post by The End on Jan 22, 2008 12:10:28 GMT
This from Yahoo News!
Former Beatle Ringo Starr has infuriated residents in his native Liverpool - after admitting he "misses nothing" about the city when he is away.
The rocker was the guest of honour in the city earlier this month when he joined in the celebrations after Liverpool was named European Capital of Culture.
But in a recent TV interview with chatshow host Jonathan Ross, Starr confessed he wasn't a big fan of the city.
Asked if there was anything he missed about his birthplace, Starr replied: "Er, no... Look, I love Liverpool. I was a child in Liverpool. I grew up in Liverpool. My family members are in Liverpool. But you know... I was this close to coming back."
However, Starr's comments have left Liverpudlian councillors unimpressed.
Councillor Mike Storey says, "It's hugely disappointing and sad. It's disappointing someone came to lead Capital of Culture year should go away and be so negative about it."
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Post by The End on Jan 22, 2008 13:16:31 GMT
More bad press...
Ringo Starr: There’s nothing I miss in Liverpool Jan 21 2008 Liverpool Daily Post [/i]
DAYS after former Beatle Ringo Starr made a triumphant homecoming on the roof of St George’s Hall, he has been lambasted for flippant comments made about Liverpool on national television.
Ringo’s appearance on January 12 launched Liverpool Capital of Culture 2008 with the drummer’s new single, Liverpool 08, a self-penned homily to the city he left behind but “never let down”.
His appearance was broadcast to millions, and Ringo was adamant that during his “working trip” to his home town, he would squeeze in as much as he could to promote both his album, single and the work of the Capital of Culture.
But his typically cheeky replies to the host on BBC One’s Friday Night with Jonathan Ross appeared to some to contradict this mission statement. As a result, a heated debate has sprung into life on the airwaves and on internet chatrooms across the city. The furore surrounds his reply when asked what he missed most about Liverpool.
Initially, Ringo simply laughed, forcing a surprised Ross to say: “I didn’t know that question would get a laugh! Are there any things you miss about not being in Liverpool any more?”
“No,” Ringo replied.
After more laughter, he added: “I was that excited over the weekend, I was that close to coming back.” He did admit he loved growing up in Liverpool and made reference to members of his family living in Merseyside.
But many people have objected to the jokey tone that appeared to contradict the opinions he expressed in a Daily Post interview last week.
In the interview, he talked about the things he wanted to do while in the town where he was born, like visit his old school and sign autographs for the pupils.
He claimed he became very nostalgic as he was driven around the Dingle area.
But, after Friday’s comments, The Daily Post internet message boards were quickly filled with angry comments.
On Saturday morning, Billy Butler’s BBC Radio Merseyside show was inundated with irate listeners, and Roger Lyon fielded a number of calls in the afternoon show.
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Post by Nowhere Man on Jan 22, 2008 13:48:26 GMT
...Stop press...Stop press...Stop press...
Ringo renames Liverpool 8 album: The tool on the hill
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Post by The End on Jan 22, 2008 14:06:42 GMT
LOL!!
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Post by Nowhere Man on Jan 22, 2008 14:16:11 GMT
To be fair, his comments we not that negative, "I Love Liverpool" he said at one point, it was just an opportunity to big the place up in our culture year - as he promised - and he missed it. Disapointing, but it will be a great year anyway - with or without his support. He has not lived around here for so long he has no idea what the city is like anymore and what we have to offer.
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Post by Bobber on Jan 23, 2008 8:27:33 GMT
Do Liverpudlians have a short fuse?
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Post by The End on Jan 23, 2008 9:08:40 GMT
I don't think so - perhaps Nowhere Man can offer his view though
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zipp
What Goes On In Your Heart
Posts: 97
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Post by zipp on Jan 23, 2008 13:29:06 GMT
I think some Liverpudlians are moaning too much. Ringo gave the city a lot of publicity for their year of culture and even in the interview he said he loved the city. Does that mean he should lie and say "Oh yeah, I'd really like to live there." If he wanted to live there he'd obviously already be there. How many singers promote their own cities as much as the Beatles have? What did the Stones do for Dartford? I bet most Americans don't even know where it is!
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Post by The End on Jan 23, 2008 13:55:24 GMT
I have posted this elsewhere (forgive me!) but it answers the point you raised, Zipp.
To understand the offence, you really have to understand the people of Liverpool - I don't mean that in a condescending way and I wouldn't deem to speak on their behalf - Liverpool is incredibly proud to have been named European Capital of Culture because they feel they are finally getting the recognition they deserve after decades of being thought of as a joke!
So now imagine one of their greatest heroes attending the opening ceromony and saying how great Liverpool is and then going on TV and totally belittling the the award and the City of Liverpool.
Would it have been so hard for Ringo to say that he missed the City and its people - even if he actually didn't - afterall, he had just headlined the Capital of Culture opening event where he had told the twenty thousand people assembled outside St George's Hall that Liverpool was "in his soul"! l
As has already been said, if he really doesn't care for Liverpool he shouldn't have used the event to promote his new album. Sadly, at best Ringo has come across as a hypocrite, only out cash in on the event in order to promote his new album.
I never thought I would say that about Ringo!
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Post by Nowhere Man on Jan 23, 2008 14:18:02 GMT
There is no truth in the rumour that should 9 Madryn Street be knocked down, that Mr. Starr will be be present, tied, bound and gagged inside when the bulldozers move in.
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BlueMeanie
For A Number Of Things
I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together
Posts: 606
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Post by BlueMeanie on Jan 23, 2008 15:47:14 GMT
How many singers promote their own cities as much as the Beatles have? What did the Stones do for Dartford? I bet most Americans don't even know where it is! Have The Beatles promoted Liverpool? Paul did the Liverpool Oratorio, and had a hand in the 'Fame' Academy, but what did any of the others do? And I'm not suggesting for one moment that they're duty bound to do anything anyway. By default they increased tourism, but that was as a direct effect of their fame.
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zipp
What Goes On In Your Heart
Posts: 97
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Post by zipp on Jan 23, 2008 20:03:03 GMT
I still prefer to see Ringo telling the truth. And I still think some Liverpudlians are over reacting. Will McCartney also get crucified if in June he says he doesn't want to go back and live in Liverpool?
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BlueMeanie
For A Number Of Things
I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together
Posts: 606
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Post by BlueMeanie on Jan 23, 2008 20:55:02 GMT
They shouldn't ask such stupid questions in the first place. Of course they don't want to live in Liverpool. They haven't lived there for over 45 years. Do Liverpulians think they owe them?
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Post by The End on Jan 23, 2008 21:10:42 GMT
That is not what he was asked.
At the opening ceremony, Ringo was saying that he was "that close to moving back" and that Liverpool was "in my soul". Then just one week later, on the Jonathon Ross show, when asked what he missed about Liverpool he just laughed! He then said "I even told them I was this close to moving back"!
Yes, Ringo should be honest, in which case he should have made his true feelings clear at the opening event.
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zipp
What Goes On In Your Heart
Posts: 97
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Post by zipp on Jan 23, 2008 22:50:44 GMT
OK. Put like that it seems dishonest. Has Ringo once again flunked his chance to become president?
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Post by The End on Jan 23, 2008 23:53:01 GMT
I am a very BIG fan of Ringo's but it looks like he has seriously shot himself in the foot with regards to Liverpool. It's a real shame. He does still gets my vote for president though!
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Post by briank on Jan 27, 2008 19:28:25 GMT
Anyone who knows how Ringo talks in a press conference knows that was A JOKE. Anything you miss about Liverpool? NO! Classic Beatles reply.
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