«I liked the records he made. They have a difference,” Starr says of Hank Williams’ reclusive grandson, who mixes country with heavy metal
The new album by Ringo Starr, Look formarks the former Beatles drummer’s return to his love of country music, particularly classical music. “I like old country, old style, and that’s what we have”he said Rolling Stone in a new interview.
But Starr also surprised us by revealing that he’s a fan of the eclectic country artist responsible for songs like “Hellbilly,” “Mississippi Mud” and “Crazed Country Rebel.”
“Just to confuse the minds of everyone in Nashville: How’s Hank 3?”Starr asks, referring to Hank Williams IIIgrandson of Hank Williamswho mixed heavy metal with outlaw country in a series of albums from Outlaw on the risesince 1999. After releasing two albums in 2013: the country album Brothers of the 4×4 and the punk project The diabolical threat –, Williams disappeared from the spotlight.
“I liked the albums he made. They make a difference”says Starr. “I started first with Hank, passed Hank second and finished third.” (Hank 3 is the son of Hank Williams Jr.)
Starr likes to talk about “differentiation” when talking about the type of artists he prefers, including the singer he cites as his all-time favorite: Kitty Wells. “God bless her. I loved her because she had a difference”he says, citing other singers and composers with notable style. “We ended up loving Waylon – he was truly a rock-country star – and we all love Willie to this day.”
During recording Look for with the manufacturer T Bone BurnettStarr worked with a new group of marquee artists, including the blues-rock duo Larkin Poethe innovator of bluegrass Molly Tuttle and the virtuoso guitarist Billy Strings. “Molly has a fantastic voice and Billy is an incredible guitarist”says Starr. “Someone told me [tocava] heavy metals first. I’ve never heard that part.”
Some of these artists are expected to participate in Starr’s upcoming shows at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on January 14 and 15, which will be recorded for future broadcast. “We’re going to do a live show and I’m excited because I want to hear ‘A Little Help From My Friends’ in country style.”says Starr. “It’s ‘The Octopus Garden’, of course.”
This article is a translation from the American Rolling Stone, written by Joseph Hudak and published on January 11, 2025. Read the original version here.
Source: Terra
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
