Ringo Starr, the iconic drummer for The Beatles, is preparing to release a new studio album, Long Long Road, on April 24, 2026. The 10-track collection marks his second collaboration with celebrated producer T Bone Burnett, following the success of 2025’s chart-topping Appear Up. The announcement arrives with the release of the album’s first single, “It’s Been Too Long,” featuring vocal contributions from Sarah Jarosz and Molly Tuttle.
Starr reflected on his working relationship with Burnett, stating, “I like to say sometimes I make the right moves, like you can go left or right at any point, and one of the right moves was hooking up with T Bone for Look Up, and now for this one, which I’m calling Long Long Road, because I’ve been on a long long road.” This sentiment speaks to a career spanning decades, filled with musical evolution and enduring creativity. The album title itself, Long Long Road, is a direct nod to that journey.
A Blend of Country, Americana, and Starr’s Legacy
Long Long Road builds upon the country and Americana foundations laid in Look Up, but promises to expand into a broader sonic landscape. The album is described as an “aural mosaic” of Starr’s musical influences, including a tribute to early rock and roll pioneer Carl Perkins. Starr recorded two Perkins songs with The Beatles, and Burnett unearthed a previously unheard track, “I Don’t See Me In Your Eyes Anymore,” for inclusion on the new album. According to Starr’s official website, the search for this particular Perkins song was a collaborative effort between himself, and Burnett.
The album boasts an impressive roster of collaborators, including Billy Strings, Sheryl Crow, and St. Vincent. These artists join a core band of musicians affectionately dubbed “The Texans” by Burnett – a nod to a band Starr played with in Liverpool in 1959. The Texans include Paul Franklin, David Mansfield, Dennis Crouch, Daniel Tashian, Rory Hoffman, Patrick Warren, and Colin Linden. The recording sessions took place in both Nashville and Los Angeles, drawing on the strengths of both music cities.
Following the Success of Look Up
Long Long Road arrives as a highly anticipated follow-up to Look Up, which topped charts in January 2025. uDiscoverMusic reports that Look Up was Starr’s first country record in over 50 years and featured collaborations with Alison Krauss, Larkin Poe, Lucius, and Molly Tuttle, among others. Burnett co-wrote nine of the eleven songs on that album, establishing a strong creative partnership with Starr.
The success of Look Up signaled a renewed creative energy for Starr, who hadn’t released a new studio album since 2019. The album was led by the single “Time On My Hands,” and garnered critical acclaim for its blend of classic songwriting and contemporary production. The momentum from Look Up clearly carries over into the anticipation surrounding Long Long Road.
Tour Dates to Support the New Album
Concurrent with the album announcement, Starr revealed plans for a spring tour with his All Starr Band. The lineup includes Steve Lukather, Colin Hay, Warren Ham, Hamish Stuart, Gregg Bissonette, and Buck Johnson. Tour dates begin in May with performances scheduled across California, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. Rolling Stone reported on the tour, highlighting the continued popularity of Starr’s live performances.
The release of Long Long Road promises to be a significant event in the music world, offering fans a fresh perspective on a legendary artist’s enduring creativity. The album is available for pre-order on CD, LP, and a special “Ultraviolet Dream” color vinyl, as well as through digital streaming services.
Fans can listen to the first single, “It’s Been Too Long,” featuring Sarah Jarosz and Molly Tuttle, now. The album, Long Long Road, is set for release on April 24, 2026.
Ringo Starr’s musical journey continues, and Long Long Road represents another exciting chapter. The next confirmed event is the album’s official release on April 24, 2026, followed by the start of his tour in May. Keep an eye on Ringo Starr’s official website for the latest updates and tour information.
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