“But I think no matter what – and we’re still loved in Liverpool – that even though we left, we never let Liverpool down and we’re always still proud of that heritage.”

EXCLUSIVE by Catherine Jones, Liverpool Echo

RINGO Starr believes Capital of Culture will show Liverpool “in an incredible light” to the rest of the world.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the ECHO, the legendary drummer says he cannot wait to return to his home city next month.

He also gave a heartfelt defence to the accusations that the Beatles were traitors by leaving Liverpool.

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_headline=8216-beatles-did-not-betray-this-city-8217%26method=full%26objectid=20260499%26siteid=50 061-name_page.html

I find his excuse laughable. Nothing to stop him moving back.

Just admit it, hes living in a nicer place, L.A. is it?

I find his excuse laughable. Nothing to stop him moving back.

Just admit it, hes living in a nicer place, L.A. is it?

In the 1960s the music industry was in London. To get on you had to live there. They all lived in Liverpool when they made their first hit records.

These days they could stay in Liverpool - not then. BTW, they had to go to Hamburg to be noticed.

In the 1960s the music industry was in London. To get on you had to live there. They all lived in Liverpool when they made their first hit records.

These days they could stay in Liverpool - not then. BTW, they had to go to Hamburg to be noticed.

Fair do, so why do the likes of Cilla Black get stick for basically going were the work is?

Also nothing stopping Ringo from moving back here, he lives in the States.

I would have more respect for the likes of him if he just admitted, hes got a few bob and hes living somewhere better. I would move if i had the money and wouldn't be ashmed to admit it.

Fair do, so why do the likes of Cilla Black get stick for basically going were the work is?


I don't know why.


Also nothing stopping Ringo from moving back here, he lives in the States.


You move on in life. You don't just go back to where you were born for the hell of it.

The Beatles constantly made references to the city in the words of the songs.

You move on in life. You don't just go back to where you were born for the hell of it.

I agree. But i'd rather he just admitted hes living in a better place. If i moved out of Liverpool i would only come back to visit family and friends and the nightlife, rest of Liverpool i wouldn't miss. I do hate it when 'hardened Scousers' use the traitor line. Whats it to them if people prefer somewhere else?

The Beatles constantly made references to the city in the words of the songs.

Could be classed as PR.

I agree. But i'd rather he just admitted hes living in a better place.

....a different place, not better. A place he feels comfortable in.

....a different place, not better. A place he feels comfortable in.

If your more comfortable then it is better.

Grew up In Liverpool and lived there for 27 years. Have now lived away for 29 years. Circumstances and jobs etc - never a conscious decision to leave for leavings sake.

Would I move back? The idea appeals but I think I'd be disappointed. The Liverpool of my youth no longer exists. Many of my friends have moved (and some have departed). I've as much family outside as in Liverpool.

On balance - I'll probably never return permanently.

Does that make me a 'traitor'?

Once a scouser, always a scouser - no matter where you hang your hat.

Grew up In Liverpool and lived there for 27 years. Have now lived away for 29 years. Circumstances and jobs etc - never a conscious decision to leave for leavings sake.

Would I move back? The idea appeals but I think I'd be disappointed. The Liverpool of my youth no longer exists. Many of my friends have moved (and some have departed). I've as much family outside as in Liverpool.

On balance - I'll probably never return permanently.

Does that make me a 'traitor'?

Once a scouser, always a scouser - no matter where you hang your hat.

Hi all

I have heard this argument that the Beatles turned their backs on Liverpool ever since the Sixties when the Beatles moved to London and it always amazes me. Scousers everywhere should feel pride that they gave the world the Beatles. Does Tupelo, Mississippi feel aggrieved that Elvis didn't come back and live there? Or Duluth, Minnesota feel that Bob Dylan is a traitor for not living there? Maybe it has something to do with the chip-on-the-shoulder attitude of a lot of Scousers.

The Beatles continued to remember Liverpool in their songs, which they did not have to do, and Paul McCartney's endowment of the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts (LIPA) is a wonderful gift to the city. And both Ringo and Paul are coming back next year. They could have said no but they want to be part of the celebration. Good on 'em, I say.

As Waterways said, the Beatles had to move to London in the Sixties because that's where the British music industry was at the time. Most artists don't continue to live where they originated. Liverpool gave the world one of the greatest entertainment groups of all time. It's something we should remember and be grateful for.

Chris

Populate the globe with Liverpool people I say, let them spread far and wide and be proud.

Populate the globe with Liverpool people I say, let them spread far and wide and be proud.

but not the hoodies :eek:

Maybe it has something to do with the chip-on-the-shoulder attitude of a lot of Scousers.


Thats exactly the point. But then you can't blame people for being annoyed when someone goes 'Liverpool is the best, no one can beat Liverpool' then move out. Billy Butler is like this and lives on the Wirral, Pete Price is the same, though hes not a Scouser.

Populate the globe with Liverpool people I say, let them spread far and wide and be proud.

Some people think this is already the case.

but not the hoodies :eek:.

Thats 60 percent of Liverpool then lol

Thats exactly the point. But then you can't blame people for being annoyed when someone goes 'Liverpool is the best, no one can beat Liverpool' then move out. Billy Butler is like this and lives on the Wirral,

The Wirral is Liverpool for God's sake!!!

If I had to move away from Liverpool it would have to be out of the UK altogether, 'cos no other place in UK has anything better to offer me than my own home town. I'm an all or nothing kind person.

Sure there are times when I'm out on a daytrip and I think, 'ooh wouldn't it be nice to live here' ... but that is just a daydream and nothing else.
it is one thing to live in some pituresque little place - but you would soon be bored with no culture -no galleries, museums, decent shops, amenities, etc, etc. I like the fact that, here in L'pool, I am a footstep way from all of those things. Even our outer suburbs are too far away for me !! ha! I'm used to being near to the hub of everything.
So I couldn't live anywhere else because I am nosey about what is going on in my city, I want to know about and see it all; and I couldn't bear to not be a part of it - like what we are going through now - the Capital of Cuture thing and all that goes with it - - I would be so frustrated if I was a million miles away and not experiencing it first hand.

Of course, like anyone, if I had money I would like to live in a 'better' area - somewhere not run down and a half decent environment. Certainly I would love to move up in the world - but that doesn't necessarily mean getting out of Liverpool. It would be lovely to live in one of our more desirable areas. :)



Regarding moving abroad, that is a daydream a lot of us have - to retreat to somewhere pleasant and in a warm climate - who wouldn't !! (I wouldn't consider moving to anywhere cold !!)
I would want to move abroad only for the opportunity to get a better lifestyle, ie; the availibility of affordable accomodation, I'd choose somewhere with less crime and no anti-social behaviour, somewhere clean with no filth and litter, and no smashed glass and vandalism. These are just basic things and what should be 'normal' - but we have to live 'abnormally' here with all of that anti-social stuff :(
That is why I say it is all or nothing - what is the point of tearing yourself away from your home and just to move a little further afield somewhere in the UK - where you will still encounter the same social problems which abound all over in the UK. Why be so near yet so far if you follow what I mean.
.. if nothing else is preventing it, you might as well stay in your city and enjoy what it has to offer - -

OR, the alternative for me would be a total life change and go for a different culture altogether in another country. If I've got to be away from my home town I might as well go the whole hog and be an ex-pat. :)

it would be UK as a whole I would want to run way from and not Liverpool.

That's my view anyway.

Hope that makes sense.

The Wirral is Liverpool for God's sake!!!

No its not. Most people from Wirral are very vocal about not being classed as Scousers, and Scousers certainly don't class people from over the Water as Scousers.

Even Paul O 'Grady said. i think it was Parkinson, said hes not a Scouser hes from Birkenhead, even though the Echo call him a Scouse comic.

And of something bad happens in Wirral, Liverpool is very quick to point out its not here.

Hi all

I have heard this argument that the Beatles turned their backs on Liverpool ever since the Sixties when the Beatles moved to London and it always amazes me. Scousers everywhere should feel pride that they gave the world the Beatles. Does Tupelo, Mississippi feel aggrieved that Elvis didn't come back and live there? Or Duluth, Minnesota feel that Bob Dylan is a traitor for not living there? Maybe it has something to do with the chip-on-the-shoulder attitude of a lot of Scousers.

The Beatles continued to remember Liverpool in their songs, which they did not have to do, and Paul McCartney's endowment of the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts (LIPA) is a wonderful gift to the city. And both Ringo and Paul are coming back next year. They could have said no but they want to be part of the celebration. Good on 'em, I say.

As Waterways said, the Beatles had to move to London in the Sixties because that's where the British music industry was at the time. Most artists don't continue to live where they originated. Liverpool gave the world one of the greatest entertainment groups of all time. It's something we should remember and be grateful for.

Chris

I agree with that Chris.

No its not.

They try not to be. They are. The same culture, accent and in the same socio-economic sphere. Without Liverpool there would be no Wirral, well not the one we know.

They try not to be. They are. The same culture accent and in the same socio-economic sphere. Without Liverpool there would be no Wirral.


Oh please, they have there own identity, not everyone wants to be a Scouser. The Wirral may be less vibrant than Liverpool but there is some nice areas and i feel safer walking through there than Liverpool. An i was in Wirral over the weekend.

I can agree with both of you on this one. There is no clear answer to this really. 'spose it depends on how deep into the Wirral you want to go, because the places nearer to us have of course the same accent and culture as us. I suppose in deepest darkest Wirral they are more afluent perhaps, and 'posher' - or like to think they are - and they don't like to class themselves along with us.

Yes, Paul O'Grady might well be from Birkenhead but culturally and accent wise - he's a Scouse as they come !

Oh please, they have there own identity,

They do not have their own identity, They are sub-set of Liverpool in culture. accent, economy, etc. They are know as being a part of Liverpool. Ask Paul O'Grady where he went out for a night out. I bet he says Liverpool.

That is true Waterways. :)

I can agree with both of you on this one. There is no clear answer to this really. 'spose it depends on how deep into the Wirral you want to go, because the places nearer to us have of course the same accent and culture as us. I suppose in deepest darkest Wirral they are more afluent perhaps, and 'posher' - or like to think they are - and they don't like to class themselves along with us.


...but make their living directly and indirectly from Liverpool. When on hols they all say they are from Liverpool.


Yes, Paul O'Grady might well be from Birkenhead but culturally and accent wise - he's a Scouse as they come !

Yep.

They do not have their own identity, They are sub-set of Liverpool in culture. accent, economy, etc. They are know as being a part of Liverpool. Ask Paul O'Grady where he went out for a night out. I bet he says Liverpool.

So what? i go to Runcorn and Southport for nights out, dosen't make me from there Towns. Plus Scouser refer to Wirral-ites as Woolybacks. Or even 'plastic' or 'wannabe' Scousers. I don't blame Wirral-lites for being vocal about not being scousers.

So whats the Scouse identity then thats so different from the rest of Britain? The Accent? I went out with a girl from Overpool and she did not have a Scouse accent. I went out with a girl from New Brighton and she didn't either. Both never classed themselves as Scousers.

...but make their living directly and indirectly from Liverpool. When on hols they all say they are from Liverpool. .

No they don't, when i was in Ibiza recently i spoke to 3 people from the Wirral and they never once said they were from Liverpool. They clearly said Birkenhead or Bromborough and called me 'Scouse' in the bar.

No they don't, when i was in Ibiza recently i spoke to 3 people from the Wirral and they never once said they were from Liverpool. They clearly said Birkenhead or Bromborough and called me 'Scouse' in the bar.

To people not from Liverpool they would say "Liverpool". Every one of them I have met abroad has said "Liverpool". If any of them think they are a separate entity, they are kidding themselves.

To people not from Liverpool they would say "Liverpool". Every one of them I have met abroad has said "Liverpool". If any of them think they are a separate entity, they are kidding themselves.

How are they kidding themselves? There born outside Liverpool. Not everyone wants to be a scouser.

Best read this thread
http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/showthread.php?p=90250&highlight=cold%22#post90250

It does give me a chuckle when I've met other 'Mersyside' people who allow themselves the nickname 'Scouse' and then turn out to be from the Wirral or even North Wales!
I think some people like to borrow the 'cooler' associations of the city.

As one who has left the city, I can only say that whilst you may not live there, you can and do feel an affiliation for it, it's no bad thing, look at the Scots for example, most South East Scots still celebrate Burn's night, no one would call them 'traitors' would they?

Don,t hide yer talent under a bushel me heartys. Go forth and multiply. Show the werld who yer are, be proud, hold yer ed up high, take no messin, from anyone.:PDT_Aliboronz_11:

It does give me a chuckle when I've met other 'Mersyside' people who allow themselves the nickname 'Scouse' and then turn out to be from the Wirral or even North Wales!
I think some people like to borrow the 'cooler' associations of the city.

As one who has left the city, I can only say that whilst you may not live there, you can and do feel an affiliation for it, it's no bad thing, look at the Scots for example, most South East Scots still celebrate Burn's night, no one would call them 'traitors' would they?

Hi Kolchak

I have just written a Bicentennial history of the St. Andrew's Society of Baltimore and can confirm that the 400-odd members of the Society, even though most are American-born, take great pride in their Scottish background, celebrating Burns Nicht and St. Andrew's Day with big banquets. It would be nice to see all Scousers show similar pride in their origins wherever they are today -- I venture to say indeed that most do.

Chris

Hi Kolchak

I have just written a Bicentennial history of the St. Andrew's Society of Baltimore and can confirm that the 400-odd members of the Society, even though most are American-born, take great pride in their Scottish background, celebrating Burns Nicht and St. Andrew's Day with big banquets. It would be nice to see all Scousers show similar pride in their origins wherever they are today -- I venture to say indeed that most do.

Chris

:handclap: nice one:handclap:

I was born here, but im proud of my Irish roots and i celebrate it in every way.

:handclap: nice one:handclap:

I was born here, but im proud of my Irish roots and i celebrate it in every way.

I have: English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish and I think Dutch and Norwegian as well. I celebrate none of them as I am a Liverpudlian and nothing else.

.

That's what I think - I'm a Liverpool girl and nothing else :)

That's what I think too, no, not a Liverpool girl, a Liverpool lad ;)

... and I am so pleased I was born in a district right in Liverpool so there is no doubt I am a true Liverpool girl :)

... in fact I only have to say I was born in Anfield and no more explaination is needed.


... and I tell my son this all the time ! - to be proud. :PDT_Piratz_26:

I have: English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish and I think Dutch and Norwegian as well. I celebrate none of them as I am a Liverpudlian and nothing else.

.

I will always celebrate my Irish roots, my family are Irish, part of me is Irish.
Ireland is where my blood flows from, its where my history began.

be proud, be Irish :PDT_Piratz_26:

The Beatles never said anything derogatory about Liverpool and really put Liverpool on the map internationally. Pity so many "scousers" have ruined The Beatles legacy. Paul McCartney has a house in Heswell, where he spends a lot of time, or should he live in Forthlin Road to be close to his roots. If Paul or Ringo still had houses in Liverpool they would be plaqued by the constant attentions of fans. So tell those people who call them "traitors" to get real. Also how many of the footballers, so loved by "scousers" stay in Liverpool once their careers end.

Hear hear cameraman. :handclap:

The Beatles, or most of them returned regular to the city. I have met Paul, on two occasions, George once, and my brother met Ringo, plus the Paul and George. The reason for Lennon is obvious, after 1970. By the way they weren't here in a blaze of publicity, they were here just looking around old haunts.:)

The Beatles, or most of them returned regular to the city. I have met Paul, on two occasions, George once, and my brother met Ringo, plus the Paul and George. The reason for Lennon is obvious, after 1970. By the way they weren't here in a blaze of publicity, they were here just looking around old haunts.:)

All their families are here, and still are, so they came back.

The Beatles never said anything derogatory about Liverpool and really put Liverpool on the map internationally. Pity so many "scousers" have ruined The Beatles legacy. Paul McCartney has a house in Heswell, where he spends a lot of time, or should he live in Forthlin Road to be close to his roots. If Paul or Ringo still had houses in Liverpool they would be plaqued by the constant attentions of fans. So tell those people who call them "traitors" to get real. Also how many of the footballers, so loved by "scousers" stay in Liverpool once their careers end.

Agree,well said.Wouldn't you leave Liverpool if you where a millionaire ?
I would:PDT_Piratz_26:
Even though I don't like the Beatles music I would say they done ok for the city and to call em' "traitors" is soooooooo stupid!:PDT_Xtremez_42:

I agree, why shouldn't people leave Liverpool if the opportunity arises?

I would like a shot.

I agree, why shouldn't people leave Liverpool if the opportunity arises?

I would like a shot.

Giz a takey:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

Giz a takey:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

Ok buddy, next stop Amsterdam :PDT11