Ringo Starr released his first solo album in 1970.
The album was Sentimental Journey, released by Apple Records in March 1970 as The Beatles were approaching their breakup. Its UK release date was 27 March, followed by a US release on 24 April. Rather than presenting new rock songs, the album featured Starr’s versions of traditional pop standards he remembered from childhood in Liverpool.
Sentimental Journey was recorded between October 1969 and March 1970, with George Martin serving as producer. Starr invited different arrangers, including Quincy Jones, Maurice Gibb, and Paul McCartney, to give the songs varied orchestral and pop treatments.
A frequent source of confusion is Starr’s later album Ringo, released in 1973. Ringo became his best-known early rock-oriented solo record, but it was not his debut. Sentimental Journey came first, even though it was recorded before The Beatles officially dissolved in 1970.