Think that there’s no room for pranks and practical jokes when there are thousands of people waiting to be treated to the most incredible musical experience of their lives? Ringo Starr thinks differently, because according to what he told Variety, “The rule was: We’re not here to be tortured, let’s have fun.”
Starr told People that sometimes, having fun manifested in some pretty epic pranks. During one tour, they staged a massive backstage fight between Joe Walsh and Levon Helm — right down to arming the pair with broken (prop) bottles and knives. Clarence Clemons was in on it, too, calling their tour producer, David Fishof, to tell them to get to the dressing room stat: Things were getting ugly. Fishof ran in and promptly panicked at the sight, and although Starr didn’t mention what he thought of the whole thing, everyone else apparently appreciated it. Starr said, “On the road, you’re looking for stuff to do. That was a fun night.”
Tour manager Donny Wightman says it’s incredibly important to him that everyone walks away with some fond memories of fun times. In an interview with Louder With Ace, Wightman explained, “One of the things [Starr] will say … he’ll say at least once or twice a week, ‘Hey, are the boys having fun?’ He wants to make sure everybody’s happy, everybody’s having a good time, nobody’s got issues or problems.” And if there are issues? He wants them addressed.
