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Lot #5027
Beatles: Ringo Starr-Owned Beatles Solo 45 RPM Singles (4)

Four Beatles solo records from the personal collection of Ringo and Maureen Starr

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Estimate: $1000+
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Description

Four Beatles solo records from the personal collection of Ringo and Maureen Starr

Unique group of four UK Apple Records 45 RPM singles, comprising a solo record by each member of the Beatles, originating from the record collection of Ringo Starr and his first wife, Maureen 'Mo' Starkey. These singles were part of a collection of Ringo and Maureen Starkey’s records and purchased by Recordmecca's Jeff Gold from Starkey’s second husband, Hard Rock Cafe and House of Blues co-founder Isaac Tigrett. They include:

- “Power to the People/Open Your Box” by John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band in its picture sleeve (VG+/disc VG++)
- “Another Day/Oh Woman, Oh Why” by Paul McCartney in an Apple sleeve (disc G/ “Z” written on both sides, likely by Ringo and Maureen’s son (and future Who drummer) Zak Starkey)
- “My Sweet Lord/What is Life” by George Harrison in an Apple sleeve (disc EX+)
- “Photograph/Down and Out” by Ringo Starr in an Apple sleeve (disc G/G- / no center)

Maureen 'Mo' Starkey Tigrett was a hairdresser from Liverpool who met Starr at the Cavern Club, where the Beatles were playing. They married in 1965, and divorced in 1975, having three children together, including Zak Starkey, who has played drums with Oasis and The Who. Maureen Starr sang backup vocals on 'The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill' on the Beatles’ White Album, and was in attendance at the Apple Corps rooftop concert in 1969. Responding to applause, McCartney can be heard saying 'Thanks, Mo' after the final performance of 'Get Back' on the Let It Be album.

After the Beatles broke up, the Starrs' marriage began to founder, with Ringo’s infidelities becoming more frequent, and his alcoholism escalating. When George and Pattie Harrison were visiting the couple, George confessed his love to Maureen, leading to an affair. Starr threatened divorce when Pattie found the pair in bed together. John Lennon was equally angry with Harrison, describing the affair as being 'virtual incest.' Despite the couple’s problems, Maureen did not want to divorce, but they eventually did, in July 1975.

In 1976, Maureen began living with Isaac Tigrett, co-founder of the Hard Rock Café and House of Blues. They were married in May 1989 and had one child together. Maureen died of leukemia at age 48 in 1994; with her four children, 82-year-old mother, husband Tigrett and ex-husband Starr at her bedside. Following her death, McCartney wrote the song 'Little Willow' in her memory, which appears on his 1997 album, Flaming Pie.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Marvels of Modern Music
  • Dates: #693 - Ended May 23, 2024