On this day in 1968, the quiet Beatle made a loud statement.

During the turbulent recording sessions for The White Album, Ringo Starr—usually the steady heartbeat behind the kit—walked out. The tension had reached a boiling point. Creative clashes, personal frictions, and the weight of being in the world’s biggest band had taken their toll. Ringo had had enough.

His departure was kept under wraps. No press releases. No headlines. Just silence. While fans were none the wiser, inside Abbey Road, the absence was felt. But the music didn’t stop.

With Ringo gone, the remaining trio pressed on. Paul McCartney slid behind the drum kit, John Lennon picked up the bass, and together with George Harrison, they laid down Back In the USSR—a high-octane track that kicked off The White Album with jet-fueled swagger. It was a moment of improvisation, resilience, and raw creativity.

Ringo rejoined the band on September 3rd, welcomed back with flowers on his drum kit and a renewed sense of unity. His temporary exit had made one thing clear: even in a band of giants, every member mattered.

Ringo Today—The Softer Side

Fast forward to today, and Ringo’s solo work continues to resonate. His reflective track Some People opens episode 328 of The Softer Side with Carl Rossi, airing this afternoon at 5 PM on KNCT. It’s a fitting choice—gentle, introspective, and unmistakably Ringo.

Ringo Starr’s brief departure from The Beatles wasn’t just a footnote—it was a reminder that even legends need space to breathe. And when they return, they often bring back something even more powerful: perspective, peace, and rhythm.