Ringo Starr' album cover

Here I am in Liverpool outside a pub which became famous when it appeared on one of Ringo Starr's album covers. He was born about 30m away in a small terraced house but later the family moved about 50m away to a similar house. On the broad road between the two homes sat The Empress public house. Over the years it must have bled down into Ringo’s mind as when The Beatles were splitting up he released an album and put the pub on the cover. The building is still there and it's still a pub.

It's hardly changed - new windows and some brick work repairs so far as I could see. On the album cover Ringo had a few faces of his relatives superimposed on the windows. While there I had a stroll down Madryn Street where he'd been born and was dismayed to see there was no plaque on the wall. It used to be covered with messages left by Beatles fan but the whole street has been refurbished (better than being demolished I suppose.) Perhaps one will be put on soon as it doesn't look like construction work has finished yet (no street signs up.)

I had a leisurely stroll around and wondered if Ringo ever dons a disguise or gets a chauffeur to drive him around the area. I doubt much had changed; Dingle is two miles from the city centre and roads seems so quiet you only have to rely on your hearing than sight. I'll revisit in a year to see if a plaque has been put on Ringo's old home.

Across from the pub is Madryn Street where Ringo was born. When I visited in August 2020 there was no plaque on the refurbished house!