Ringo Starr Shares Updates on Upcoming Studio Album, Including a Beautiful Cover

After wrapping up a run of September shows with his All Starr Band, Ringo Starr is shifting gears back to the studio. The 85-year-old drummer is currently working on the sequel to his 2025 country album Look Up, once again teaming up with Grammy-winning producer and Americana staple T Bone Burnett.

In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Starr revealed he’s aiming for a February 2026 release, though he acknowledged that the timeline isn’t set in stone.

“We’re busy and [Burnett is] busy, too,” Ringo explained. “And we’re gonna work on the record in October. So, how long will that take? We don’t know. So, let’s relax. It’s out February. But you know, the record label may change my mind.”

He added with a grin:

“They might say, ‘Do you think we could have it January the 19th?’ But whatever… We’ll see.”

Balancing Touring and Recording

Despite a packed schedule, Starr has been diving deep into the album-making process. Alongside touring commitments, he’s been writing, singing, and drumming on every track for the new project.

“You got me on a workload of making with T Bone the next country album of mine, and some other things we’re doing together,” he told the AP. “And then writing a few songs for the country [album], and… playing drums on every track, and singing every track. So, you know, it’s been work.”

The collaboration continues Starr’s creative streak with Burnett, whose rich, rootsy production style helped define the sound of Look Up, Ringo’s first full-length album in more than five years.

A Deep Cut From Carl Perkins

One of the new album’s highlights, according to Starr, will be a cover of a lesser-known song by Carl Perkins, the rockabilly pioneer whose influence runs deep in Beatles history.

“I’ve just done a remake of another Carl Perkins song on my new country album,” Ringo revealed during a press conference on September 9. “T Bone loves the idea that the first two songs I [sang] on Beatle records were by Carl Perkins. And I just loved it because it was like country and rock at the same time.”

The Beatles famously covered Perkins’ “Matchbox” and “Honey Don’t” in the early ’60s, with Ringo taking the lead vocals. This time, the track is a more emotional number.

“It’s a little sadder,” Starr said of the new cover. “I’d never heard this one, and T Bone told me neither had he. But it’s beautiful. [Perkins] was such a great writer.”

Ringo also reminisced about performing with Perkins alongside George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and others during a 1986 U.K. TV special titled Blue Suede Shoes: A Rockabilly Session. “It’s great,” he said, encouraging fans to look it up online.

Looking Back at Look Up

Released in January 2025, Look Up marked Ringo’s return with a full-length project blending country, folk, and roots influences. Produced by Burnett, the 11-track album featured nine songs written or co-written by the producer, with Starr co-authoring the closing track, “Thankful,” alongside longtime engineer Bruce Sugar and guest vocalist Alison Krauss.

Other contributors included Molly Tuttle, Lucius, Billy Strings, and Larkin Poe. Ringo’s brother-in-law, Joe Walsh of the Eagles, also made an appearance, laying down slide guitar on the track “Rosetta.”

Now, with another country album in the works and a renewed creative partnership with Burnett, Ringo Starr shows no signs of slowing down—even at 85.