This Day in Rock Music History - 22 Aug - Ringo Quits Beatles

1968, 50 years ago - A sign of rising tensions among the Fab Four, Ringo Starr left The Beatles during The White Album recordings. In “Anthology”, Ringo cited feeling he was an outsider and not playing the drums very well. But when he told John, and then Paul, about his feelings, each claimed himself as feeling the outsider! Ringo left for vacation in Sardinia with his family, where he subsequently wrote “Octopus’s Garden”. In the meantime in Ringo’s absence, the band recorded “Back in the USSR” with McCartney on drums and Lennon on bass. They also recorded “Dear Prudence”. But soon the band sent Ringo a telegram, asking him to return. He arrived back on 3 Sep to find his drums decorated with flowers saying “Welcome Back Ringo”, just in time to shoot the group video for “Hey Jude” and “Revolution”.