Starr's EMI Catalog To Make Global Digital Release Debut; New Career-Spanning Collection To Be Released August 28

Ringo Starr has signed an exclusive global recording contract with Capitol/EMI, returning to the world's largest independent music company to release and market his new solo recordings, as well as his EMI-managed catalog titles and new catalog compilations.

EMI Music will also make Starr's EMI works available in digital format for the first time on a global basis. On August 28, Starr's EMI catalog, including the albums Sentimental Journey (1970), Beaucoups Of Blues (1970), the platinum-certified Ringo (1973) and gold-certified Goodnight Vienna (1974), will make their digital debuts. Fans will be able to purchase Starr's EMI catalog works from all of EMI's digital distribution partners, and the titles will also be part of EMI's premium download offering (free of digital rights management and in a higher-quality bit rate) from participating retailers. Six Ringo Starr ringtones will also debut on August 28.

On the same date, Capitol/EMI Music Catalog Marketing will release the first-ever career and label-spanning collection of Starr's best solo recordings, PHOTOGRAPH: The Very Best Of Ringo Starr. To be released physically in CD and Collector's Edition CD/DVD packages and digitally, the new collection presents 20 standout Starr tracks, including seven Top 10 Pop hits, released between 1970 and 2005 by Capitol, Atlantic, Mercury, Boardwalk, Private Music and Koch. The Collector's Edition adds seven never before released film and video clips on DVD, including original promotional films for "It Don't Come Easy," "Sentimental Journey" and "Back Off Boogaloo," among others, and the music video for "Act Naturally" (with Buck Owens).

Since beginning his career in the 1960s with The Beatles, Ringo Starr has been one of the world's brightest musical luminaries. The Grammy Award-winning drummer, singer and songwriter's top solo recordings to date, including his string of seven consecutive Top 10 hits, "Photograph," "You're Sixteen (You're Beautiful and You're Mine)," "It Don't Come Easy," "Back Off Boogaloo," "Oh My My," "Only You (And You Alone)" and "The No-No Song," were all released under his first solo recording contract with Capitol/EMI, which spanned 1970 to 1975.

"It's good to be back," said Ringo Starr. "It feels like home, just like Liverpool 8."

"We're thrilled Ringo's returning to Capitol/EMI -- the place where he started his solo career -- and delighted he will again be part of EMI's current roster around the globe," said Ronn Werre, President of EMI Music Marketing. "EMI is excited and privileged to work with Ringo to bring fans both his new recordings and his catalog, and we look forward to debuting his works in the digital format for the first time as well."

Although he was first known around the world as The Beatles' drummer, throughout more than 45 years as a global entertainment icon, Ringo Starr has enjoyed a successful and dynamic solo career as a singer, songwriter and drummer, an active musical collaborator, and as an actor. Drawing inspiration from classic blues, soul, country and rock 'n' roll, Starr continues to play an important role in modern music with his solo recording and touring.

"Ultimately, what's most impressive about Ringo Starr isn't what he's been, but rather who he is," says Rolling Stone magazine Contributing Editor David Wild. "The man's great heart and soul, his wit and wisdom."
Starr's next solo album, titled Liverpool 8, is scheduled for global release by EMI Music in January 2008, via Capitol/EMI in North America and Parlophone in the U.K.

EMI Music North America is a part of EMI Group. Its U.S. units include The Blue Note Label Group, which includes the Angel, Blue Note, EMI Classics, Manhattan and Narada imprints; The Capitol Music Group, which includes the Capitol and Virgin imprints; Capitol Nashville; Caroline Distribution, which includes the Astralwerks, Caroline and Internationally Known imprints; EMI Christian Music Group; EMI Televisa Music; and Mute. Its EMI Music Marketing unit comprises catalog marketing, strategic marketing and sales for all of EMI's U.S. labels.

Source: Capitol/EMI
HOLLYWOOD, Calif., June 18, 2007 /PRNewswire/ --

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