This letter for Ringo is long overdue. I've never written a fan letter before, and maybe you haven't either. But for years, Richard Starkey has been a happy part of our lives. Perhaps you could take a moment out of your busy day to jot a quick note to him. Maybe you could just pause to say "Hi Ring, thanks for all the songs, smiles, and joyful memories you've given me over the years." Why do we wait until someone has passed away to applaud all they've done? Ringo is very much the "vertical man," alive and kickin' and well deserving of our kudos. If you're so inclined, please write him a brief note by leaving a comment at the bottom of this page.

Cheers,
Jude

Dear Ring,

Happy New Year!

Just wanted to take a few moments at the beginning of this year to let you know that despite the venom and criticism hurled by a few very vocal and bitter wacks out there, there are still plenty of us fans who love you, miss you, and wish you real joy. There isn't one of us who hasn't at some point lost our temper, become disgusted and disillusioned at the greed and crass commercialism around us, and lashed out at those we love. There isn't one of us who hasn't reached the point where we'd just 'had enough' and responded with either anger or a defensive 'back off Boogaloo' attitude. We've all been there.

Jude and Ringo

But what we haven't been is a Beatle. We have no idea how it feels to be utterly surrounded by 'gimme, gimme, gimme' thirty-one (24/7)! We have no idea how it feels to live in a present in which everyone constantly wants you to be what you were in the past and won't accept you for whom you are right now. We don't know what it's like to be afraid of nutcases, snipers, and all manner of strange so-called 'fans.' We don't know what it's like to be on display, no matter where you go or what you do. We don't know what it's like to have every utterance, action, or move we make discussed, analyzed, dissected, and studied. We just don't know.

You have had to put up with more than any human should have to endure. But please also know that you are loved more than most.

You're loved for being down-to-earth, honest, and frank. You're loved for being kind and open. You're loved for understanding how the ordinary fan feels and for walking in our shoes. As we grew up with the Beatles and later with the All-Starr bands, you always seemed (of all those people) the most like us. We identified with your humanity.

Please forgive the times that people who were offered the opportunity to have an item signed sent you five. Please forgive the times a fan startled you by grabbing you from behind. Please forgive the zillions of time we failed to give you space or even let you eat a meal in peace. Please forgive the thoughtless things we said and did.

We still love you. And we'd love for you to give us another try. We can't promise that we'll all behave; there are more than enough jerks to go around in this world. But we hope that you'll find in us more good than bad, more smiles than pointed fingers (or other kinds of fingers), more appreciation than condemnation.

God bless you in 2009, Ringo. You are missed.

From the heart,
Jude Southerland Kessler

Jude Kessler is the author of the John Lennon biography, Shoulda Been There.

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Published January 12, 2009

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