It don’t come easy for new musical artists: Ringo

Bloomberg sat down with former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr (left) to discuss topics ranging from the band’s move to digital to his voting for Brexit. The following is a condensed and edited interview with the musician.

Why did the Beatles decide to finally make their music available on streaming services?

We’re just moving with the times. When we started with vinyl, and then CDs came out, that was good for us financially, because it wasn’t in the contract. We had to go to CDs in the end. We were pretty late there. We were late to iTunes, too, but went there so you could buy the tracks. Streaming is huge now, so we’re moving on. Who knows what’s going to be next?

How do you listen to music? Do you stream or listen to vinyl?

At home, I do it all. I love iTunes. Though the Beatles are streaming now and have had a billion streams, I haven’t actually done it myself. If I’m in the car, I usually listen to the radio, 88.5 Northridge [KCSN-FM, operated by California State University at Northridge]. I just love that channel, because it’s such a mixed bag.

The other night, I was at dinner with friends and their 18-year-old kid. He buys CDs and vinyl. The kids are going back to vinyl to be rebels.

What do you make of the disputes between artists and the streaming services, with artists claiming they aren’t getting paid enough?

I like to support the artists. I heard a guy had 12 million streams, and he got a check for $5, which is not fair. I’m not talking about us. The Beatles are doing fine, and we have the power where we can make a deal upfront.

For an artist starting off, there’s no clubs for them to play in. The venues have gone down.

Are the challenges for emerging artists the biggest change from when the Beatles began?

Yes. I go crazy, because if you want to open for a well-known band you have to pay; management makes you pay. Who is giving back? I did a Ringo tour once and had a local band at every gig open for us just to give them exposure. Why did you vote for Brexit? I voted for Brexit because I thought the European Union was a great idea, but I didn’t see it going anywhere lately. It’s in shambles, and we’re all stuck with people who want to make arrangements for their own country and don’t think for the other countries. Britain should be out and get back on its own feet.

And Britain has always been a bit removed from the EU. It kept the pound.