Archive for category: Medicare News

WASHINGTON—Musician, songwriter, and occasional actor Ringo Starr appreciates his memories of The Beatles but does not let them take hold of him. In the December 2023/January 2024 issue of AARP The Magazine (ATM), the legendary drummer opens up about his early musical memories, his joyous path through life, his new EP Rewind Forward and his ongoing relationship with The Beatles 60 years after their iconic appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.

While Starr’s life has always revolved around music, his memories of music as a child hold a significant influence on him. He recalls how his stepfather shared both music and an open mind with him, moments so poignant that he made it a point to share music with his own children the same way.

He also shared with ATM about his time with The Beatles and the brotherhood they shared. From laughing off rumors of John Lennon following him around with a pen and paper to note his every thought to his memory of the band hearing their song “Love Me Do” on the radio for the first time, no one could understand The Beatles like The Beatles. Starr’s fondness runs so deep that he never could join another band full-time. However, he’s never let that fondness hold him back. With his All Starr Band, he continues to tour and make music with friends and even works out every day to put on the best show possible.

The following are excerpts from ATM’s December 2023/January 2024 cover story featuring Ringo Starr. His story kicks off a special AARP multimedia report on music and memory that deeply explores the role music plays in identity, happiness and increasingly, as a form of medicine for many health conditions, including dementia. The issue is available in homes starting in November and online now at www.aarp.org/magazine/.

On the title of his new EP Rewind Forward:

“One of my producers said, ‘We need a song with ‘rewind’ in it.” ‘Rewind’ is a great word, but I don’t want to be in the past, so out of nowhere, I said ‘rewind forward.’ My brain is faster than my mouth. All my life, strange things like that have come out, like the phrase ‘hard day’s night.’ It means that you rewind to a space that was happy, and then you go forward. Which makes perfect sense now.”

On the “new” Beatles song “Now and Then”:

“Last year, Paul called and said, ‘You remember that unfinished song of John’s, ‘Now and Then’? Why don’t we work on that?’ He sent it to me, and I played the drums and sang. We had a great track of John singing and playing piano, and George playing rhythm guitar. There were terrible rumors that it’s not John, it’s AI, whatever bullsh- – people said. Paul and I would not have done that. It’s a beautiful song and a nice way to finally close that door.”

On songs that bring back specific memories of his stepdad:

“I have great memories of my stepdad, who was a fan of big bands. When I hear big band music, I think of him. I was playing my music to him one day, and he said, ‘Have you heard this?’ And he played me Sarah Vaughn. That’s a huge memory for me, because he didn’t say, ‘The music you’re listening to is crap, get it off.’

On sharing music with his children:

“When my son Zak [a drummer who now plays with The Who] was 9, he came running in with a vinyl record. ‘You’ve got to hear this, Dad. It’s this guy named Ray Charles!’ And it was Ray Charles’ big band. I didn’t say, ‘Eh, I’ve heard hundreds of big band records.’ I took the position, well, let’s hear it together.”

On working with Paul McCartney on the song “Feeling The Sunlight”:

“Paul and I were in England, having dinner together [along with our wives]. I told him I was making an EP, and I said, ‘Why don’t you write me a song?’ He wrote the song and put bass on it, he put piano, he put the drums on—and I had to take the drums off.”

On Paul McCartney and John Lennon writing “With a Little Help From My Friends” for his voice and personality:

“John wrote several songs for me over the years, and George too. I used to be a rock drummer, and then they ruined my whole career. [Laughs.] ‘With a Little Help’ and ‘Yellow Submarine’ are the reasons I’m onstage every night.”

On his relationship with The Beatles:

“Paul loves me as much as I love him. He’s the brother I never had. As an only child, suddenly I got three brothers. We looked out for each other. We all went mad at different times. You can’t imagine what it was like, being in the Beatles. It got bigger and crazier.”

On staying fit before going on tour:

“I prepare every day. I work out with a trainer three times a week, and I do a couple of days on my own as well, just to keep moving. In the first All Starr Band, Joe Walsh was the guitarist. I said to Joe, ‘Let’s rock!’ I went down on my knees, but I couldn’t get back up. [Laughs.] That’s when I started getting myself together physically.”

On holding The Beatles together:

“I was the glue. [Laughs.] That’ll be in big letters: I WAS THE GLUE, SAYS RINGO. George was the first one to make a solo album [Wonderwall Music], and I was the drummer. John started the Plastic Ono Band, and I was the drummer. Paul likes to play drums himself, or I would’ve been on his albums too.”

On his marriage to Barbara Bach:

“Love is deep and odd. People think, Oh, you never have a bad day. We have bad days, and we’ve had a few rows, but we get through it. We don’t have bad months. I still love her, and hopefully she’s still got some feelings for me.”

On the Beatles’ appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show 60 years later:

“I can’t tell you how incredible it was. All the music I loved came from America: country, blues, probably half the records I bought were Motown. It was always American music, and 60 years later, I’m still here talking about it. Ed Sullivan was at the airport in London when we came back from a tour of Sweden. He didn’t know who we were, but when he saw the reaction of the crowd, he booked us. By the time we got to America, we had a single [‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’] that was number 1. Everything just worked out for the Beatles.”

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About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates, @AliadosAdelante on social media.

 

WASHINGTON—The November issue of AARP Bulletin offers readers the latest news updates and stories – from the rise in programs nationwide that allow residents to pay property taxes via volunteering to saving big bucks at departments stores. The following are highlights from this month’s Bulletin:

Cover Story: Inside the Brains of Super Agers

A small percentage of overachievers in their 80s and 90s have the memory, thinking skills, and zest for life of people decades younger – and researchers are determined to find out how and why. What they’re finding is fascinating: a range of physical, mental and spiritual attributes that can add up to extraordinary longevity, resilience and happiness – aging as we all want it to be. Read the November AARP Bulletin to discover the tips and tricks of becoming a super-ager.

Fraud Watch: Can a Crook Steal Your Entire Home?

Stealing everyday items like a wallet or phone is a threat we all understand, but now thieves are targeting entire homes by finding fraudulent ways to assume control of a property’s deed. This month’s Fraud Watch breaks down two different deed scams so you can protect yourself. 

Your Money: Paying Property Taxes with Volunteer Hours

Looking for ways to pay your property taxes? Some older homeowners can volunteer for specified tasks in their community and have the value of that work applied to offset their property taxes. Read this month’s Your Money to learn more about the programs and where they are available.

Your Health: Are You Addicted to Junk Food?

Most of us know the sins of junk food – they’re often fatty, sugary, salty, chemical-filled and low in nutrition. But few realize that those very elements can make them addictive, not unlike cigarettes, drugs or alcohol. And that means weaning yourself off of them is harder than just saying “no more.” Here’s how junk food affects your brain and body and better ways to lessen your consumption.

Your Money: Saving More at Department Stores

There’s a reason some department stores are still healthy and widespread: They’ve learned to adapt to today’s retail world, often by offering a wide range of unique discounts, sales programs, membership opportunities and more. This month’s Live Well for Less column gives you specific tips and tricks to save big while shopping at department stores. 

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About AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.

 

WASHINGTON—The October/November issue of AARP The Magazine (ATM) gives readers a closer look into the lives of their favorite celebrities while revealing some of the biggest trends of 2023.

Emmy Award-Winning actress Kyra Sedgwick shares how husband Kevin Bacon encouraged her to pursue directing and how it has become her main focus over acting. Record-breaking long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad discusses returning to her passion of long-distance swimming at 60 years old after broadcast journalism didn’t cut it. Incredibly rare photos from iconic musician Bob Dylan’s archive are seen for the first time, giving an exclusive and private look into his seven-decade career. In a special 65th Anniversary bonus issue, Martha Stewart shares her secret to living life to the fullest – keeping busy and curious by always trying new things.

Plus, an inside look into fun-filled winter vacation destinations without the packed crowds and overpriced hotels; and the new medical research revolutionizing healthcare.

In this issue of AARP The Magazine:

The A List – Kyra Sedgwick

Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actress Kyra Sedgwick talks about how she and husband Kevin Bacon spark their relationship by always trying new things and stepping outside their comfort zones. She also shares her romantic streak and how her dream rom-com costar crush would be Oliver Platt.

What I Know Now – Diana Nyad

Record-breaking endurance swimmer Diana Nyad shares her struggle coping with the trauma after sexual abuse from her swim coach and the lack of gay representation she had in high school. She also talks about staying close with her exes and never giving up on her dreams no matter how many times you may fail.

Treasures From the Dylan Vault

The Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, OK is a museum dedicated to the life and works of the legendary musician. Exclusive photos from the new book Bob Dylan: Mixing Up the Medicine reveal never-before seen photos and letters with and from friends such as Johnny Cash, Allen Ginsberg, and George Harrison.

65th Anniversary Bonus Issue – Martha Stewart

Businesswoman, writer, and TV personality Martha Stewart keeps busy every day by constantly trying new things and challenging herself. From recently gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated to maintaining her friendship with BFF Snoop Dogg, to traveling with her grandchildren, she refuses to live a life of regrets and “what ifs.”

Big Sun and Small Crowds

These are the best vacation spots to go to this winter that won’t drain your wallet or give you a headache. From Ocean Springs, Mississippi to the island of Saba, these spots are sure to please without driving you crazy with too many tourists.

Medical Breakthroughs

Check out the latest medical therapies and practices that are easing the lives of older Americans in many different areas. From chronic pain to women’s health to cardiovascular disease to brain health, and more, see how research is improving the quality of life of people everywhere.

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About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates, @AliadosAdelante on social media.