Ringo Starr skipped out on an Elton John concert for an understandable reason.
In an interview from The Sunday Times published on Jan. 12, the Beatle recalled attending John’s Wembley Stadium show in London in 1975. Ringo was in the crowd with John’s late mother Sheila Farebrother.
At the iconic concert, John, 77, performed songs from his latest album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy — and only those songs.
“He came on and said, ‘I’m only going to do the new album,’ ” Starr, 84, recalled. “Me and his mother left after three tracks because we didn’t know them.”
Chris Barham/Mirrorpix/Getty
The album, which includes “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” and “Tower of Babel,” was nominated for two Grammy awards in 1976: album of the year and best pop vocal performance – male.
Starr, who released a country album titled Look Upperformed earlier this week at Nashville’s iconic Ryman Auditorium. His experience seeing the EGOT winner 50 years ago might have influenced how much of the new album will be performed.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
-“In the late ’90s, I would put in, like, two or three from the new album, and you could feel the room empty,” he said. “It happens to everybody.”
The Nashville show was filmed on Tuesday, Jan. 14 and Wednesday, Jan. 15 for a special called Ringo & Friends at the Ryman. “It is always a thrill to play the Ryman and this time we are going country!” Starr said of the show in a press release.
“[Producer T Bone Burnett] has put together a great show. I’m excited to hear my songs done in a country vein and to play with this incredible group of musicians. It will be two nights of peace, love and country music.”
Kevin Winter/Getty
Starr was joined onstage by Brenda Lee, Sheryl Crow, Rodney Crowell, Jack White, Mickey Guyton, The War and Treaty, Jamey Johnson and other artists. The special will touch upon country music, Starr’s time with the Beatles and his solo career.
Proceeds from the live show will support the American Red Cross and those impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires.
Ringo & Friends at the Ryman is set to air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ sometime this spring.
