When Ringo Starr Said “No” to David Bowie

Foto: dearMoon, CC BY 3.0 / David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0

Throughout his career, Ringo Starr has built a reputation as one of the most approachable and generous musicians in the industry. Far beyond his legacy with The Beatles, he lent his drumming to artists such as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Stephen Stills, and Harry Nilsson. Yet there was one rare occasion when Ringo surprised everyone by turning down an invitation — and the person on the other end was none other than David Bowie.

In the late 1970s, Bowie was working on his album Lodger and reportedly reached out to Ringo with the idea of recording drums for one of its experimental tracks. At the time, Bowie had just completed his iconic Berlin Trilogy with Brian Eno and was diving deeper into bold sounds and unconventional production techniques. While many musicians would have jumped at the chance to collaborate, Ringo politely declined.

According to later interviews and industry accounts, the reason was not personal but rather rooted in artistic integrity. Ringo felt that his classic drumming style — defined by swing, groove, and a natural feel — simply didn’t align with the avant-garde direction Bowie was pursuing. He is said to have remarked something along the lines of: “It’s brilliant, but it’s not me.”

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That honest response highlights what makes Ringo unique. He was never interested in attaching his name just for prestige — he only wanted to contribute when he felt he could truly enhance the music. Bowie, by all accounts, respected the decision, and the two remained on good terms. Years later, Ringo would express admiration for Bowie, calling him “one of the boldest and brightest.”

For fans, this episode offers a revealing glimpse into Ringo’s mindset. Despite his humility, he has always been intentional about where he places his name and his sound — a reminder that true artistry often lies not only in knowing when to play, but also in knowing when not to.