“MAUREEN STARKEY” and “RINGO” OR IS IT “TINGO”?

This post was inspired by a recent Beatles novelty record that I was able to acquire about Maureen Starkey and her husband Ringo. While purchasing the novelty record at the record search service of Discogs, I was able to find one of the things that interests me as a collector of Beatles-related oddities or mistakes that occasionally appear on those records. I refer to the novelty record “Treat Him Tender, Maureen (Now That Ringo Belongs to You) by Angie and the Chicklettes. This record appeared after Ringo had asked Maureen Cox to become his first wife in 1965.

Here is the song as it appears on a YouTube post that I was able to find:

Angie & The Chicklettes – Treat Him Tender, Maureen (Now That Ringo Belongs To You) (Apt 25080) 1965 – YouTube

This is a photograph of the novelty record that I purchased with the correct label and with Ringo’s name spelled correctly for the release:

Here is the oddity; On this copy of the 45, a misspelling of Ringo’s name as “Tingo” appears:

This type of error is especially appealing to me as a collector. First of all, most novelty records do not sell well at all so there are not many copies in existence in the marketplace. Mistakes associated with those records are even more obscure and difficult to find or obtain!

Apple Records

When the Beatles had formed Apple Records, those that are experts know that the first catalog number was Apple 1. However the Apple 1 recording never appeared to the public-at-large. Ringo was aware that his wife Maureen was an intense Frank Sinatra fan. So, for her impending birthday, Ringo through his celebrity connections was able to request for Sinatra to record a special birthday song for Maureen. Songwriter, Sammy Cahn was able to modify one of Sinatra’s big hit songs with a new set of lyrics adapted for Maureen’s birthday.

Frank Sinatra

Supposedly, only one copy was officially printed by Apple of the Sinatra recording which Ringo presented to Maureen as a birthday gift. The one copy supposition is just that, as numerous others claim multiple copies were printed for close Beatles associates. Maybe Mark Lewisohn knows what the true story actually is…?

Years later, an enterprising collector in the Netherlands created a reproduction Apple 1 record of what they suspect it may have looked like. They were offering several copies for sale on their website and I bought a copy, knowing it was a reproduction but I enjoyed the song and the story associated with it.

I have seen several posts of the number on YouTube and this is one of them:

Frank Sinatra The Lady’s A Champ Apple Records 1 – YouTube

This is a picture of the Apple 1 reproduction offered by the collector in the Netherlands:

Another Interesting Maureen Starkey story:

This is a special item I acquired from the UK company called Tracks back in 2019. It is an invoice that Maureen Starkey signed on December 21, 1966. On that day, the Beatles were in the studio recording the song “Strawberry Fields Forever.”

Ringo and Maureen were to have three children, Zak, Jason and Lee. Years later in 1975, they were to divorce and Maureen was to marry Isaac Tigrett one of the founders of the Hard Rock Cafe in 1989. Maureen was to pass away from cancer in 1994. Her husband Isaac and her children were with her when she passed as was her former husband, Ringo.

Ringo’s good friend, Paul McCartney, wrote a beautiful tribute song for Maureen following her passing. The song was called “Little Willow”. It is only fitting that the final words to this post are in the song….

Paul McCartney – Little Willow – YouTube

Buzz

Books About Ringo at The Beatles Bookstore

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