Ringo Starr Admits Still Being Scared Of AI
via Ringo Starr / YouTube
Ringo Starr recently opened up about how the Beatles organization feels about artificial intelligence, even after using the technology to create the last Beatles song, “Now and Then”, in 2023. While the song blended elements from John Lennon’s 1977 demo and George Harrison’s 1995 guitar recordings, it’s clear that the band remains cautious about AI, despite the successful collaboration.
The Making of Now and Then
The process behind “Now and Then” involved some creative use of AI, which was developed by Peter Jackson for his 2021 documentary series The Beatles: Get Back. “We tried it in the ’90s when we got ‘Free As A Bird’ out,” Starr told Music Week. “But we didn’t take much interest because it didn’t sound like John, and George got a bit fed up. He didn’t want to do a third [1995 single] and so we just put it to bed – but now they’ve got better equipment. They lifted John’s voice off a cassette, for God’s sake; off a cassette! And it was like John was suddenly in town.”
Starr praised Paul McCartney for overseeing the project, sharing that the process worked out beautifully. “I put the drums on and sang on the chorus… He put the strings on and the lead guitar that gave the track its emotion. It worked out really great,” he said.
Concerns About AI in Music
Despite the success of “Now and Then”, Starr expressed concerns about AI’s potential to be misused in the music industry. “We’re all a bit afraid of it because it can steal you,” he explained. “Anyone who knows how to use it can steal you. If they just play any five of my songs into the computer, AI gets all of it and knows my every vocal move. They can have me sing anything and it will sound like me because it’s taken from my personality.”
But Starr also acknowledged the benefits of AI, especially in the context of “Now and Then”. “The good side is the way we used it on ‘Now And Then.’ God knows where it’s going to go. We’re all worrying about it, but nobody’s really stolen anything yet.” As AI continues to evolve, the music world will likely continue to debate its potential—both the opportunities and the risks.
Watch the official music video here:
