Official name	City of Rancho Mirage
Settlement type	City
Map caption	Location in Riverside County and the state of California
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Riverside
Established date
unit pref	US
area footnotes
area total sq mi	24.836
area land sq mi	24.447
area water sq mi	0.389
area total km2	64.326
area land km2	63.318
area water km2	1.008
area water percent	1.57
area note
Elevation ft	272
Elevation m	83
Population as of	2010
Population total	17218
Population density km2	auto
Population density sq mi	auto
Timezone	PST
Utc offset	-8
Coordinates display	inline,title
Coordinates type	region:US_type:city
Timezone dst	PDT
Utc offset dst	-7
Postal code type	ZIP code
Postal code	92270
Area code	760
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	06-59500
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	1661281
Website	Rancho Mirage homepage }}

Rancho Mirage is a resort city in Riverside County, California, United States. The population was 17,218 at the 2010 census, up from 13,249 at the 2000 census, but the seasonal (part-time) population can exceed 20,000. In between Cathedral City and Palm Desert, it is one of the eight cities of the Coachella Valley (Palm Springs area). Rancho Mirage was incorporated in 1973 from a merger of Mirage Cove with five unincorporated areas known as the "Cove communities" (Desert, Magnesia, Palmas, Tamarisk and Thunderbird), but had 3,000 permanent residents at the time.

Although the first modern settlements date back to the 1920s and 1930s, Rancho Mirage got its claim to fame after World War II. The Annenberg Estate or ''Sunnylands'', owned by philanthropists Walter and Leonore Annenberg, had long been popular with the wealthy and powerful, including Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Queen Elizabeth II, and Mary Martin. Several United States Presidents have vacationed at the Annenberg estate, including Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and Gerald Ford. Ford later bought a house in Rancho Mirage and was living there at the time of his death in 2006. The Betty Ford Center, a world-renowned addiction rehabilitation center, is located in Rancho Mirage at the Eisenhower Medical Center.

Rancho Mirage boasts twelve golf courses, also known as country clubs. The city's first golf resort was the Thunderbird Guest Ranch, opened in 1946 for entertainers and business clientele. Other golf resorts are the Tamarisk, Mission Hills, the Springs, Sunrise, KSL Resorts' Rancho Las Palmas hotel (opened in 1979 to replace the Desert Air golf and private airport from 1954–1978), Rancho Mirage, Morningside, Mission Hills North Course, Westin Hotels Mission Hills resort, and Tuscania by Sunrise Company opened in 2006.

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians of Palm Springs runs the Agua Caliente Casino on the intersection of Bob Hope Drive and Ramon Road off Interstate 10, opened in 2002. The thriving casino is a popular destination for locals, tourists, and gambling enthusiasts. In 2008 the tribal board completed the expansion of the Agua Caliente resort, which includes a 12-story hotel and spa, as well as remodelling the casino and expanding the parking structures. A state-of-the-art theater for top name entertainers will open in the spring of 2009. Though the Agua Caliente Resort and Casino was just outside the border of Rancho Mirage in an unincorporated area, the City of Rancho Mirage included the property as part of the city in an agreement with the tribe so they would have access to police and firefighting services.

Rancho Mirage has expanded its economy from one relegated to seasonal, resort-based and low-paying, to include more light industry and commerce by I-10 and the Union Pacific Railroad, high-end retail centers like the River shopping complex, opened in 2005 and built around an artificial lake that resembles a castle's moat.

Geography[link]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it (1.57%) is water, including the 10-story Desert Island Hotel-Golf Resort built on an island surrounded by an artificial lake.

Demographics[link]

2010[link]

The 2010 United States Census reported that Rancho Mirage had a population of 17,218. The population density was 693.3 people per square mile (267.7/km²). The racial makeup of Rancho Mirage was 15,267 (88.7%) White, 256 (1.5%) African American, 94 (0.5%) Native American, 651 (3.8%) Asian, 14 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 598 (3.5%) from other races, and 338 (2.0%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1,964 persons (11.4%).

The Census reported that 17,154 people (99.6% of the population) lived in households, 16 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 48 (0.3%) were institutionalized.

There were 8,829 households, out of which 1,031 (11.7%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 4,159 (47.1%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 453 (5.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 213 (2.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 316 (3.6%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 454 (5.1%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 3,055 households (34.6%) were made up of individuals and 1,961 (22.2%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.94. There were 4,825 families (54.6% of all households); the average family size was 2.46.

The population was spread out with 1,828 people (10.6%) under the age of 18, 508 people (3.0%) aged 18 to 24, 1,885 people (10.9%) aged 25 to 44, 5,415 people (31.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 7,582 people (44.0%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 62.3 years. For every 100 females there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.2 males.

There were 14,243 housing units at an average density of 573.5 per square mile (221.4/km²), of which 7,089 (80.3%) were owner-occupied, and 1,740 (19.7%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 5.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 17.2%. 13,845 people (80.4% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 3,309 people (19.2%) lived in rental housing units.

2000[link]

As of the census of 2000, there were 13,249 people, 6,813 households, and 4,074 families residing in the city. The population density was 544.9 people per square mile (210.4/km²). There were 11,816 housing units at an average density of 486.0 per square mile (187.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.7% White, 0.9% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.6% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.4% of the population.

There were 6,813 households out of which 10.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.2% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.9 and the average family size was 2.4.

In the city the population was spread out with 10.3% under the age of 18, 2.7% from 18 to 24, 14.0% from 25 to 44, 30.0% from 45 to 64, and 43.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 61 years. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males. Rancho Mirage owes its legacy to being a retirement haven for senior citizens since the 1950s. In 2003, the Rancho Mirage was named the best resort town in the world by the London Imperial Traveler Magazine. Contemplation of building a new airport 30 minutes away (the Desert Cities Regional Airport in Coachella) from Rancho Mirage is still in debate.

The median income for a household in the city was $59,826 and the median income for a family was $78,384. Males had a median income of $50,027 versus $36,529 for females. The per capita income for the city was $58,603. About 4.4% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.4% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

History[link]

Politics[link]

In the state legislature Rancho Mirage is located in the 37th Senate District, represented by Republican Bill Emmerson, and in the 64th Assembly District, represented by Republican Brian Nestande. Federally, Rancho Mirage is located in California's 45th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +3 and is represented by Republican Mary Bono Mack.

Education[link]

The city includes one elementary school (Rancho Mirage Elementary) that is part of the Palm Springs Unified School District, the newly renovated Nellie Coffman Middle School on the city line with Cathedral City and two private schools: Maywood-Palm Valley and Xavier Prep. Catholic High in nearby Thousand Palms covers all grades. The PSUSD is building a new grade-middle school complex on the lands of the former Walter Annenberg estate donated to the PSUSD. The complex expected to open in late 2012. In addition, a new high school Rancho Mirage High School with an expected completion date in late 2012 is being built. Rancho Mirage is also home to Santa Barbara Business College, a private college that offers academic degrees and career training.

Economy[link]

Top employers[link]

According to Rancho Mirage's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city were:

! #	! Employer	! # of Employees
1	Eisenhower Medical Center	2,480
2	Agua Caliente Casino	1,300
3	Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa	500
4		470
5	Betty Ford Center	269
6	Mission Hills Country Club	211
7	The Cheesecake Factory	180
8	The Home Depot	149
9	P. F. Chang's China Bistro	75

Set for novels[link]

Three novels were set in Rancho Mirage. One was ''Rancho Mirage'' by Aram Saroyan about a murder mystery occurred in that town. The second was ''Love Child (novel)'' and the third ''Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture'' has references to both Rancho Mirage and Palm Springs, as well the Mojave Desert. All 3 novels were written and published in 1990 and 1991.

Notable people[link]

President Gerald Ford (1974-77) and First Lady Betty Ford are the most prominent residents of Rancho Mirage. Other celebrities, businessmen and politicians include:

References[link]

Mallette, L., (2011), ''Images of America: Rancho Mirage'', Arcadia Publishing, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

External links[link]

Rancho Mirage homepage

The Desert Sun, Coachella Valley Newspaper

City of Rancho Mirage, "Historic Context"

Category:Rancho Mirage, California Category:Cities in Riverside County, California Category:Populated places in the Colorado Desert Category:Coachella Valley Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California

ar:رانتشو ميراج، ريفيرسيدي، كاليفورنيا bg:Ранчо Мираж bs:Rancho Mirage, California ca:Rancho Mirage da:Rancho Mirage de:Rancho Mirage es:Rancho Mirage fa:رانچو مایراج، کالیفرنیا fr:Rancho Mirage id:Rancho Mirage, California it:Rancho Mirage ht:Rancho Mirage, Kalifòni nl:Rancho Mirage no:Rancho Mirage pl:Rancho Mirage (Kalifornia) pt:Rancho Mirage fi:Rancho Mirage sv:Rancho Mirage tl:Rancho Mirage, California vo:Rancho Mirage

name	Ringo Starr MBE
alt	Starr wearing sunglasses and a black T-shirt bearing the sequined words "LOVE" and "PEACE". Only his torso is visible, but his left hand appears to be on his hip. His right hand forms a V-shaped peace symbol in reference to his quote "Peace and Love".
background	solo_singer
birth name	Richard Starkey
alias	Ringo Starr
birth date	July 07, 1940
birth place	Liverpool, England
instrument	Vocals, drums, percussion, piano, keyboard, guitar
genre	Rock, pop, psychedelic rock,
occupation
years active	1957–present
label
associated acts	The Beatles, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, Plastic Ono Band
website	RingoStarr.com
notable instruments	Ludwig Super Classic DrumsetLudwig Black Oyster Pearl Drumset }}

Richard Starkey, MBE (born 7 July 1940), better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for the Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He joined the Beatles in August 1962, taking the place of Pete Best. In addition to his drumming, Starr is featured on lead vocals on a number of successful Beatles songs (in particular, "With a Little Help from My Friends", "Yellow Submarine", and the Beatles version of "Act Naturally"). He is credited as a co-writer of the songs "What Goes On" and "Flying", and as the writer of "Don't Pass Me By" and "Octopus's Garden".

As drummer for the Beatles, Starr was musically creative, and his contribution to the band's music has received high praise from notable drummers in more recent times. Starr described himself as "your basic offbeat drummer with funny fills". Drummer Steve Smith said that Starr's popularity "brought forth a new paradigm" where "we started to see the drummer as an equal participant in the compositional aspect" and that Starr "composed unique, stylistic drum parts for The Beatles songs". In 2011, Starr was picked as the fifth-best drummer of all-time by ''Rolling Stone'' readers.

Starr is the most documented and critically acclaimed actor among the Beatles, playing a central role in several of their films, and appearing in numerous other films, both during and after his career with the Beatles. After the Beatles' break-up in 1970, Starr achieved solo musical success with several singles and albums, and recorded with each of his fellow ex-Beatles as they too developed their post-Beatle musical careers. He has also been featured in a number of TV documentaries, hosted TV shows, narrated the first two series of the children's television series ''Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends'' and portrayed "Mr. Conductor" during the first season of the PBS children's television series ''Shining Time Station''. Since 1989, Starr has toured with eleven variations of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band.

Early life [link]

Ringo Starr was born on 7 July 1940 at 9 Madryn Street, Dingle, Liverpool, Lancashire, England, the son of Elsie (née Gleave) and Richard Starkey, a confectioner. His paternal grandfather was born with the surname "Parkin", and later adopted his stepfather's surname, "Starkey". Starr's parents split up when he was three years old, and his mother subsequently married Harry Graves, who encouraged his interest in music. Starr's family moved when he was three years old to a smaller home at 10 Admiral Grove. Starr attended an Evangelical Anglican church during his childhood. He was afflicted by illness for much of his early years. When aged six, he had appendicitis, which developed complications, causing him to fall into a coma. At thirteen, he developed chronic pleurisy and was admitted to a sanatorium for two years. After this extended hospital visit he did not return to school. The periods of hospitalisation left him behind scholastically, and as a result he was ineligible to attend a grammar school or even sit its Eleven plus qualifying examination. Earlier, Starr attended St Silas, a Church of England primary school in High Park Street, close to his home in Admiral Grove; singer Billy Fury attended the school at the same time. Later, Starr attended Dingle Vale Secondary Modern School (now Shorefields Technology College), leaving in 1955. While there, he showed an aptitude for art and drama as well as practical subjects including mechanics. Starr's health problems had another enduring effect in the form of allergies and sensitivities to food, and when The Beatles travelled to India in 1968, he took his own food with him.

Like John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison, Starr became caught up in Liverpool's skiffle craze. In 1957, he and his friend Eddie Miles formed the Eddie Clayton Skiffle Group. In 1959, he joined the Raving Texans, now adopting the stage name "Ringo Starr" because of the rings he wore and because it sounded "cowboyish", and his drum solos were billed as "Starr Time". By October 1960, the band was renamed Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, and while they were performing in Hamburg, Starr met The Beatles. On 16 October 1960 he drummed in Hamburg with Lennon, McCartney and Harrison, recording with them for the first time to back Hurricanes' singer Lu Walters.

After returning to the UK, Starr sat in for Pete Best as The Beatles' drummer on 18 August 1961 and 5 February 1962. The Beatles removed Best as their drummer on 16 August 1962, after Best had played in the early recording sessions at EMI Studios.

Starr's first performance as a full Beatle was on 18 August 1962 at a Horticultural Society dance at Port Sunlight. After his appearance at the Cavern Club performance as a full Beatle the following day, Best's fans were upset at his sacking, holding vigils outside Best's house and fighting at the club, shouting 'Pete forever! Ringo never!' George Harrison received a black eye from one of the fans.

When he arrived at EMI Studios for the second time on 11 September, Starr was shocked to find another drummer there, session drummer Andy White who was commissioned by producer George Martin. Using sessions drummers familiar with studio techniques was a normal procedure for studio recordings in those days. Starr's view at the time was that Andy White was brought in because he thought George Martin viewed him as crazy. Of the 4 September rehearsal session, Starr stated, "He [George Martin] thought I was crazy and couldn't play. Because when we were doing 'Please Please Me', I was actually playing the kit and in one hand I had a tambourine and a maracas in the other, because I was trying to play the percussion and the drums at the same time, because we were just a four piece band". Starr also stated, "I thought, 'That's the end, they're doing a Pete Best on me.'"

The Beatles: 1962–1970 [link]

Vocals [link]

Starr generally sang at least one song on each studio album as part of an attempt to establish the vocal personality of all four members. In some cases, Lennon or McCartney wrote the lyrics and melody especially for him, as they did for "Yellow Submarine" from ''Revolver'' and "With a Little Help from My Friends" on ''Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band''. These melodies were tailored to Starr's baritone vocal range. Starr's backing vocals are heard on songs such as "Carry That Weight", and "The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill". He also is the lead vocalist on "Octopus's Garden.

Composition [link]

The Beatles used Starr's unusual turns of phrase, or "Ringoisms" as they became known, such as "a hard day's night" and "tomorrow never knows", and turned them into songs. Recalling this, McCartney said, "Ringo would do these little malapropisms, he would say things slightly wrong, like people do, but his were always wonderful, very lyrical... they were sort of magic". As well as inspiring his bandmates' creativity in this way, Starr occasionally contributed his own lyrics to unfinished Lennon and McCartney songs, such as the line "''darning his socks in the night when there's nobody there''" in "Eleanor Rigby". Frustrated at times of being the odd man out in the group in regard to songwriting, Starr commented in ''The Beatles Anthology'' that when he presented a song to the Beatles, it would often sound to the other three Beatles like a popular song of the day. Starr did eventually begin composing, and is credited with "Don't Pass Me By" (on ''The White Album'') and "Octopus's Garden" (on ''Abbey Road'') as sole songwriter.

His disgust with the band's tensions and boredom at waiting around to contribute during the sessions for the ''White Album'' caused him to quit the group temporarily. He spent two weeks with actor Peter Sellers on the latter's yacht, ''Amelfis'', in Piraeus, where he wrote "Octopus's Garden". He did not return for two weeks, even though the other Beatles urged him to come back: Lennon sent telegrams, and Harrison set up flowers all over the studio for Starr's return saying "Welcome home". Starr's name also appears as a co-writer for the ''Rubber Soul'' track "What Goes On" along with Lennon and McCartney, while the songs "Flying" (on the ''Magical Mystery Tour'' album) and "Dig It" (on ''Let It Be'') are listed as being written by the entire group. On issued material after the break-up, Starr wrote "Taking a Trip to Carolina" from the second "bonus" CD of ''Let It Be... Naked'', and received joint songwriting credits with the other three Beatles for "12-Bar Original", "Los Paranoias", "Christmas Time (Is Here Again)", "Suzy Parker" (heard in the ''Let It Be'' film), "Jessie's Dream" (heard in the ''Magical Mystery Tour'' film) and The Beatles' version of "Free as a Bird".

1964 illness [link]

In June 1964, the Beatles were scheduled to tour Denmark, the Netherlands, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. On 3 June, the day before the tour, Starr collapsed during an early morning photo session for the ''Saturday Evening Post'' at a portrait studio in Barnes, London. Stricken with a 102-degree fever and tonsillitis, he was rushed to the hospital. This bout with tonsillitis necessitated a stay in hospital and a few days of recuperation at home. During this time, Starr was temporarily replaced for the Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Hong Kong and Adelaide concert dates by 24-year-old session drummer Jimmie Nicol. Beatles producer George Martin suggested Nicol because he had recently recorded at EMI with Tommy Quickly and recently became familiar with Beatles numbers while drumming on a recording session for an album called ''Beatlemania''. At first, Harrison did not want Starr replaced and refused to go on the tour without Starr, but Brian Epstein and George Martin convinced Harrison to begin the tour. Starr was discharged from the hospital on 11 June, and he rejoined the group in Melbourne on 15 June 1964. Ultimately, Starr had his tonsils removed during the Beatles' Christmas holiday period later in the year. Starr later admitted that he feared that he would be permanently replaced during his illness.

Drumming skills [link]

While Starr himself has been the first to acknowledge the technical limitations of his drumming for the Beatles, the overall effect of his contribution has received high praise from notable drummers. Starr said, "Whenever I hear another drummer I know I'm no good. I'm no good on the technical things [...] I'm your basic offbeat drummer with funny fills. The fills were funny because I'm really left-handed playing a right-handed kit. I can't roll around the drums because of that." Martin's version was, "Ringo hit good and hard and used the tom-tom well, even though he couldn't do a roll to save his life", although Martin later added, "He's got tremendous feel. He always helped us to hit the right tempo for a song, and gave it that support — that rock-solid back-beat — that made the recording of all The Beatles' songs that much easier." In 1968, Martin praised Starr's drumming on ''Sgt. Pepper,'' calling him "probably ... the finest rock drummer in the world today." Lennon, when asked if Starr was the best drummer in the world, jokingly replied, "He's not even the best drummer in the Beatles!" (on account of McCartney filling in for Starr on drums on several songs, such as "Back in the USSR", "Dear Prudence" and "Martha My Dear") - though this quote could be apocryphal. He definitely did say, "Ringo's a damn good drummer. He always was a good drummer. He's not technically good, but I think Ringo's drumming is underrated the same way as Paul's bass playing is underrated." McCartney sent Starr a postcard on 31 January 1969 (the day after the band's performance on the roof of Apple Studios), stating: "You are the greatest drummer in the world. Really." This postcard is included in Starr's book ''Postcards from the Boys''.

Drummer Steve Smith extolled Starr's qualities beyond the technical, in terms of his musical contribution as drummer:

Phil Collins, the drummer for Genesis, who was himself influenced by Starr, said:

In September 1980, John Lennon had this to say about Starr:

Many drummers acknowledge Starr as an influence, including Steve Gorman of the Black Crowes, Dave Grohl of Nirvana, Jen Ledger of Skillet, Max Weinberg of the E Street Band, Danny Carey of Tool, Liberty DeVitto of Billy Joel's band, Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden, Eric Carr of Kiss, Phil Rudd of AC/DC, Orri Páll Dýrason of Sigur Rós, the former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy, Pedro Andreu of Heroes del Silencio and others.

In his extensive survey of the Beatles' recording sessions, Mark Lewisohn confirmed that Starr was both proficient and remarkably reliable and consistent. According to Lewisohn, there were fewer than a dozen occasions in the Beatles' eight-year recording career where session "breakdowns" were caused by Starr making a mistake, while the vast majority of takes were stopped owing to mistakes by the other three members.

For the band's second recording session with Starr as a member on 11 September 1962, producer George Martin replaced the studio-inexperienced Starr with session drummer Andy White to record takes for what would be the two sides of the Beatles' first single, "Love Me Do" backed with "P.S. I Love You". Starr played tambourine on "Love Me Do" and maracas on "P.S. I Love You" for this session. McCartney took over the drums on "Back in the U.S.S.R." and "Dear Prudence" from the ''White Album'' (1968) after Starr had walked out, and also played the drums on "The Ballad of John and Yoko", recorded on 14 April 1969, since only he and Lennon were immediately available to record the song. Starr commented that he was lucky in being "surrounded by three frustrated drummers" who could only drum in one style.

After the Beatles [link]

1970s [link]

After the announcement of the break-up of the Beatles on 10 April 1970, Starr released two albums before the end of that year. ''Sentimental Journey'' featured Starr's renditions of many pre-rock standards and included the arranger talents of Quincy Jones, Maurice Gibb, George Martin and McCartney, among others. His next album, ''Beaucoups of Blues'', put Starr in a country context, and included renowned Nashville session musician Pete Drake. He scored hit singles with "It Don't Come Easy" (1971) (U.S. No.4) and "Back Off Boogaloo" (1972) (U.S. No.9), the latter of which was his biggest UK hit, peaking at No.2. He achieved two No.1 hits in the U.S., with "Photograph" (co-written with Harrison) and "You're Sixteen" (written by the Sherman Brothers of ''Mary Poppins'' fame).

He participated in ''the Concert for Bangladesh'' organised by Harrison in 1971, as well as drumming on Harrison's ''All Things Must Pass'' and ''Living in the Material World'', Lennon's ''John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band'', and Yoko Ono's early solo work. Starr then made his debut as a film director with the T. Rex documentary ''Born to Boogie''. Starr became firm friends with T. Rex frontman Marc Bolan and during the period of filming the documentary, Starr released the single "Back Off Boogaloo".

In 1971, he started a furniture company with designer Robin Cruikshank. Starr's own avant-garde designs included a flower-shaped table with adjustable petal seats and a donut-shaped fireplace.

The 1973 album ''Ringo'', produced by Richard Perry, with participation by the other three former Beatles on different tracks, was commercially successful. The album ''Goodnight Vienna'' followed the next year and was also successful. Hits and notable tracks from these two albums included "Photograph" and "You're Sixteen" both reaching number one on the US charts, "Oh My My" (US No.5) and "I'm the Greatest" (written by Lennon) from ''Ringo'', and "Only You (And You Alone)" (US No.6) and "No No Song" (US No.3) from 1974's ''Goodnight Vienna''. In late 1975, these singles and others were collected for Starr's first greatest hits compilation, ''Blast from Your Past'', which was the last album released on Apple Records. During this period he became romantically involved with Lynsey de Paul. He played tambourine on a song she wrote and produced for Vera Lynn, "Don't You Remember When", and he inspired another De Paul song, "If I Don't Get You the Next One Will", which she described as being about revenge after he missed a dinner appointment with her because he was asleep in his office.

Starr's recording career subsequently diminished in commercial impact, although he continued to record and remained a familiar celebrity presence. Starr signed with Atlantic Records in the mid-1970s, and in 1976 the album ''Ringo's Rotogravure'' was released. Although yielding two minor hit singles, "A Dose of Rock 'n' Roll" (US No.26) and a cover of "Hey! Baby" (US No.74) the album achieved moderate sales but reached a respectable No.28. This caused the label to revamp Starr's formula; the results were a curious blend of disco and 1970s pop. The album ''Ringo the 4th'' (1977) was a commercial disaster, reaching no higher than No.162 on the charts. Afterward, Starr soon signed with Portrait Records. His stint with Portrait began on a promising note: 1978 saw the release of ''Bad Boy'', as well as a network TV special. However, neither were very popular, with ''Bad Boy'' reaching a disappointing No.129 on the US charts. Consequently, Starr did not release another album with Portrait Records.

In 1975, Starr founded his own record label called Ring O'Records, telling ''Circus'' magazine he thought "the record company thing is going to be a gas". The only thing he didn't like about it was "the contract signing thing. If I had my way, everyone would be tied to my company by word of mouth but the solicitors won't have it." He mentioned the implicit trust the Beatles had in Brian Epstein and "it's that trust I want my artists to have in me."

The first album to be produced for the label was a re-make of the ''Ringo'' album, rearranged for synthesiser by David Hentschel.

The company wound up failing because Ringo didn't like the "going to meetings" aspect of things, saying "you'd usually have meetings to decide about the next meeting". The other problem was - while he thought the company had some good artists - the records weren't selling, therefore it was costing him money. It was for those reasons he had to wind up the company.

From 1984 to 1986, Starr narrated the children's series ''Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends'', a Britt Allcroft production, which was first shown on Central Television and subsequently across the ITV network. He was unsure about taking the role at first, having never previously read the books by Reverend Awdry, and at the time he felt that children would be more interested in "dinosaurs with lasers." Nevertheless, he had a change of heart and took the role, narrating all the episodes in Series 1 and Series 2. Starr also portrayed the character Mr. Conductor in the programme's American spin-off ''Shining Time Station'', which debuted in 1989 on PBS. Starr left after the first season.

In 1985, he performed, with his son Zak Starkey, as part of Artists United Against Apartheid on the recording ''Sun City''.

In 1987, Starr drummed on the George Harrison song "When We Was Fab" from his album ''Cloud Nine''. The song, co-written by Harrison and Jeff Lynne, charted in the Top 30 in both the UK and the USA. The same year, Starr, Harrison and Lynne joined Eric Clapton, Elton John, Phil Collins and Ray Cooper in a performance for the Prince's Trust charity.

In October 1988, Starr and Bach attended a detox clinic in Tucson, Arizona, each receiving a six-week treatment for alcoholism. Starr later complained that it had been difficult to recover with the "press flying overhead" on a constant basis. On 23 July 1989, 'Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band' gave their first performance to an audience of ten thousand in Dallas, Texas. The band consisted of Starr and a varying assortment of musicians who had been successful in their own right with popular songs at different times. The concerts interchanged Starr's singing, including selections of his Beatles and solo songs, with performances of each of the other artists' well-known material, the latter incorporating either Starr or another musician as drummer. The eighth All-Starr Band tour took place in 2003.

In 1989 Starr and his daughter Lee appeared together in a TV ad as part of the "New Generation of Olds" campaign featuring the catchphrase "This is not your father's Oldsmobile."

1990s [link]

The success of the initial All-Starr tour led to the release of ''Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band'', a compilation of live performances from the tour, in the fall of 1990. In the same year, Starr recorded a version of the song "I Call Your Name" for a television special marking the 10th anniversary of John Lennon's death and the 50th anniversary of his birth. The track, produced by Jeff Lynne, features a supergroup composed of Lynne, Tom Petty, Joe Walsh and Jim Keltner.

In 1991, he made an animated appearance as himself in the ''Simpsons'' episode "Brush with Greatness" and contributed an original song, "You Never Know", to the soundtrack of the John Hughes film ''Curly Sue''. Starr released his first studio album in nine years, 1992's ''Time Takes Time''. The album was produced by four of the top producers in music: Phil Ramone, Don Was, Jeff Lynne and Peter Asher, and featured guest appearances by various stars including Brian Wilson and Harry Nilsson. In 1995, Starr appeared with Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones and Peter Tork of the Monkees in a Pizza Hut commercial. In the commercial, he claims he is trying to reunite "the lads." The commercial ends with the three Monkees joining Starr. He looks into the camera and says "wrong lads."

In 1997, Starr guested on drums on two songs on the McCartney album ''Flaming Pie''. McCartney had written a song about Starr's ex-wife Maureen Starkey Tigrett ("Little Willow") and asked Starr if he'd play on another ("Beautiful Night"). The day after the "Beautiful Night" session, the two recorded a jam session, which developed into another ''Flaming Pie'' song, "Really Love You," notable for being the first song ever credited to McCartney/Starkey and officially released on an album. In 1998, he released two albums on the Mercury label. The studio album ''Vertical Man'' marked the beginning of a nine-year "partnership" with Mark Hudson, who produced the album and, with his band the Roundheads, formed the core of the backing group for the album. In addition, many "famous guests" joined on various tracks, including Martin, McCartney, and—in his final appearance on a Starr album before his death—Harrison. Most of the songs were written by Starr and the band. The Roundheads and Joe Walsh joined Starr for his appearance on ''VH1 Storytellers'', which was released as an album under the same name. On the show, he performed greatest hits and new songs, and told anecdotes relating to them.

2000s [link]

In 2000, he appeared in a television commercial for Charles Schwab Investments. As he sits with a group of young musicians trying to find a word that rhymes with "elation", Ringo suggests such financial terms as "dividend reinvestment participation", "market capitalisation" and "asset allocation". As the song "Money" plays in the background, the musicians stare at him in confusion. He finally says, "What? Too many syllables?"

In 2002, Starr was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame joining an elite group of percussive inductees, which includes Buddy Rich and William F. Ludwig, Sr. and Jr.

On 29 November 2002 (the first anniversary of George Harrison's death), Starr performed "Photograph" and a cover of Carl Perkins' "Honey Don't" at the ''Concert for George'' held in the Royal Albert Hall, London. According to the official ''Concert for George'' website, "Ringo Starr caught everyone with a tear in their eye with a rendition of 'Photograph', a composition he wrote with George, which seemed to sum up how everyone felt." The song includes the lines, "Every time I see your face / it reminds me of the places we used to go / But all I've got is a photograph / and I realise you're not coming back any more".

In 2003, Starr formed Pumkinhead Records with All-Starr Band member Mark Hudson. The label was not prolific, but their first signing was Liam Lynch, who produced a 2003 LP entitled ''Fake Songs''.

Starr was an "honorary Santa Tracker" and voice over for the London stop in Father Christmas's annual Christmas Eve journey in 2003 and 2004 as depicted in the annual NORAD tracks Santa program. According to NORAD officials, he was "a Starr in the east" who helped guide North American Aerospace Defense Command's Santa-tracking tradition.

In September 2005, Liverpool City Council decided to bulldoze 9 Madryn Street, Starr's birthplace, as it had 'no historical significance', despite a previous reprieve back in July. The LCC later announced that the building would be taken apart brick by brick and preserved after all.

In 2006, Starr featured on the Jerry Lee Lewis duet album, ''Last Man Standing''; he performed a cover, with Lewis, of Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little Sixteen". It was also announced he would be the star in a Pow! Entertainment animated film and comic book produced by comics creator Stan Lee.

In the 24 December 2007 issue of ''Time'' (European edition), Starr was profiled in a three-page article focusing on his happiness in life and his music. The article mentioned the ''Liverpool 8'' album, but only briefly. It also stated that Starr and Dave Stewart were collaborating on writing a musical, to be called ''The Hole in the Fence'', and discussed Starr's then-upcoming performance in Liverpool on 11 January 2008.

In January 2008, the studio album ''Liverpool 8'', produced by Dave Stewart, Mark Hudson and Starr himself, was released. Mark Hudson was the initial producer of the record but was replaced by Stewart after a falling out with Starr. (The album's production credits read, "Produced by Ringo Starr and Mark Hudson; Re-Produced by Ringo Starr and David Stewart." All of the songs but one were written with members of the Roundheads, although Stewart also has several co-writing credits.) Starr's attorney Bruce Grakal told journalist Peter Palmiere that the partnership between Hudson and Starr was over and they would never work together again. This happened after Hudson dropped out of the 2006 tour as musical director to do the TV show ''The One: Making a Music Star''. According to Palmiere, Hudson now claims that the split was over Starr's insistence on using synthesised sounds, for which Stewart is known, whereas Hudson wanted real guitars, pianos, strings etc.

On 10 October 2008, Starr posted a video on his website stating that he would not be signing autographs after 20 October 2008. He stated that he is too busy and that anything after that date sent to any address will not be signed.

On 4 April 2009, Starr reunited with McCartney at the David Lynch "Change Begins Within" Benefit Concert at Radio City Music Hall. After separate performances from Starr and other artists, McCartney's set came last, and towards the end he announced "Billy Shears", whereupon Starr joined him to perform "With a Little Help from My Friends" and, with all performers, "I Saw Her Standing There" and "Cosmically Conscious". In late May 2009, it was announced that Starr will collaborate with Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney to record some new tracks to record an entire album.

Starr appeared on-stage at Microsoft's 1 June 2009 E3 press conference with Yoko Ono, McCartney and Olivia Harrison to promote ''The Beatles: Rock Band'' video game.

Starr remains the only Beatle not to top the UK singles charts as a solo artist, although he did chart two number one singles in the US. He is also the only Beatle not to top the UK album listings, his highest position being No.7, achieved in the UK with both ''Sentimental Journey'' and ''Ringo''; the latter reached No.2 in the US charts, giving Starr his highest album position there. In the USA, Starr's Apple singles fared rather well. Of all four members of the Beatles - in their respective solo careers - he has the second most consecutive top ten singles in the US with seven in a row: "It Don't Come Easy" (No.4), "Back Off Boogaloo" (No.9), "Photograph" (No.1), "You're Sixteen" (No.1), "Oh My My" (No.5), "Only You (And You Alone)" (No.6) and "No No Song" (No.3). McCartney has the most with eight in a row.

In November 2009, Starr once again performed the voice of Thomas the Tank Engine for "The Official BBC Children in Need Medley". This is the first No.1 UK hit Starr has been involved in since the Beatles disbanded in 1970 (not counting guest appearances on other singles by other artists).

2010s [link]

On 12 January 2010, he released his fifteenth studio album ''Y Not''. On 13 January 2010, Starr and his band performed "Walk With You" from the album on ''The Daily Show with Jon Stewart'' and closed out the show with a rousing rendition of "With a Little Help from My Friends". Starr also appeared on ''Late Night with Jimmy Fallon'', performing with Ben Harper. Starr was also featured on ''The Jay Leno Show'', where he played "The Other Side of Liverpool". On 22 January 2010, Starr appeared on ''Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief'' as a Celebrity phone operator. Starr appeared at the 52nd Grammy Awards with Norah Jones to present 'Record Of The Year' to Kings Of Leon on 31 January 2010 .

On 11 April 2010, Starr appeared on ''Weekend Wogan'', a live radio show on BBC 2 Radio presented by Sir Terry Wogan, to promote his album ''Y Not'' in the UK and on 12 April 2010 he appeared on ''Loose Women'', a lunchtime chat show on ITV. On 13 April 2010 Starr appeared on CNN's ''Connect the World'' on CNN International. On 7 July 2010, Starr celebrated his 70th birthday at Radio City Music Hall, New York with another All-Starr Band concert, topped with friends and family joining him on stage including Yoko Ono and his son Zak, and Paul McCartney as a surprise guest.

On 13 May 2011, Starr appeared on ''The One Show'' on BBC One, where he announced that he was working on a new album featuring a song called "In Liverpool".

Starr contributed a cover of Buddy Holly's "Think It Over" for the tribute album ''Listen to Me: Buddy Holly'', which was released on 6 September 2011.

On 30 January 2012, he released the album, ''Ringo 2012''. On 27 March 2012 was released Ray Wylie Hubbard's new album ''The Grifter's Hymnal'', on which Ringo also played.

Personal life [link]

Starr married Maureen Cox on 11 February 1965 and they had three children Zak (born 13 September 1965), Jason (born 19 August 1967) and Lee (born 11 November 1970); the couple divorced in 1975, and Cox died in 1994. In 1980, on the set of the film ''Caveman'', he met actress Barbara Bach, well known for her role as Major Anya Amasova (female lead and main 'Bond girl') in ''The Spy Who Loved Me''. They were married on 27 April 1981, just a few weeks after the release of ''Caveman''. In 1985, Starr was the first of the Beatles to become a grandfather upon the birth of Zak's daughter, Tatia Jayne Starkey.

Zak Starkey is also a drummer, who until August 2008 was a semi-official member of Oasis—one of the many bands influenced by the Beatles. Starr arranged for Zak to receive drumming instruction from Zak's idol, the Who's drummer Keith Moon, who was Zak's godfather and a close friend of Starr's. Zak also performs with the Who live (such as during the Super Bowl XLIV Halftime show in 2010) and sometimes in the studio. Zak has performed with his father during some All-Starr Band tours.

Like fellow ex-Beatle McCartney, Starr is a vegetarian, albeit for different reasons. McCartney is vegetarian for ethical reasons, but in Starr's case it is because of stomach problems he had in the past. As a child, Starr was left-handed until he became ambidextrous when his grandmother forced him to write with his right hand because she thought it was a witch spell for people to be left handed.

In the Sunday Times Rich List 2011 Starr was listed at number 56 with an estimated personal wealth of £150m. Starr and Bach split their time between homes in Cranleigh, Surrey; Los Angeles; and Monte Carlo.

Films [link]

Aside from the Beatles' films ''A Hard Day's Night'' (1964), ''Help!'' (1965), ''Magical Mystery Tour'' (1967), ''Yellow Submarine'' (1968), ''Let It Be'' (1970), Starr has acted in several films such as ''Candy'' (1968), ''The Magic Christian'' (1969) (alongside Peter Sellers), ''Blindman'' (1971), ''Son of Dracula'' (1974) and ''Caveman'' (1981). Starr directed and appeared in ''Born to Boogie'' (1972), a concert film featuring Marc Bolan and T.Rex. For the 1979 documentary film on the Who, ''The Kids Are Alright'', Starr appeared in interview segments with fellow drummer Keith Moon. He starred as Larry the Dwarf in Frank Zappa's ''200 Motels'' (1971). His voice is also featured in Harry Nilsson's animated film ''The Point!'' (1971). He appeared in ''The Last Waltz'', the Martin Scorsese film about the 1976 farewell concert of the Band, a favourite of the Beatles. He co-starred in ''That'll Be the Day'' (1973) as a Teddy Boy. He played 'The Pope' in Ken Russell's ''Lisztomania'' (1975), and a fictionalised version of himself in the Paul McCartney-penned ''Give My Regards to Broad Street'' in 1984.

Awards and recognition [link]

In the Queen's Birthday Honours of 12 June 1965, Starr and the three other Beatles were appointed Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE); they received their insignia from Queen Elizabeth II at an investiture at Buckingham Palace on 26 October. He and the other Beatles were cumulatively nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Newcomer for their performances in the 1964 film ''A Hard Day's Night''. The Beatles won the Academy Award for 'Best Original Song Score' for the 1970 film ''Let It Be''. Each Beatle received an Oscar statuette.

The minor planet 4150 Starr, discovered on 31 August 1984 by Brian A. Skiff at the Anderson Mesa Station of the Lowell Observatory, was named in his honour. Starr was nominated for a 1989 Daytime Emmy Award for 'Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series' for his role as Mr. Conductor in the television series ''Shining Time Station''.

All four of the Beatles were elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when the group was inducted in 1988. Since then, Lennon (1994), McCartney (1999) and Harrison (2004) have been inducted for their solo careers as well. Starr remains the only Beatle not inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his solo career. However, it was announced on 5 September 2007 that Starr would be on the ballot for membership in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.

During the 50th Grammy Awards, Starr, George Martin and Giles Martin accepted the Best Compilation Soundtrack award for ''Love''.

On 9 November 2008, Starr accepted a Diamond Award on behalf of the Beatles during the 2008 World Music Awards ceremony in Monaco.

On 8 February 2010, Starr was honoured with the 2,401st star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. It is located at 1750 North Vine Street, in front of the Capitol Records building, as are the stars for Lennon, McCartney and Harrison.

Discography [link]

;Studio albums

''Sentimental Journey'' (1970)

''Beaucoups of Blues'' (1970)

''Ringo'' (1973)

''Goodnight Vienna'' (1974)

''Ringo's Rotogravure'' (1976)

''Ringo the 4th'' (1977)

''Bad Boy'' (1978)

''Stop and Smell the Roses'' (1981)

''Old Wave'' (1983)

''Time Takes Time'' (1992)

''Vertical Man'' (1998)

''I Wanna Be Santa Claus'' (1999)

''Ringo Rama'' (2003)

''Choose Love'' (2005)

''Liverpool 8'' (2008)

''Y Not'' (2010)

''Ringo 2012'' (2012)

Filmography [link]

''The Beatles Come to Town'' (1963) (short subject) – with the Beatles

''A Hard Day's Night'' (1964) – with the Beatles

''Help!'' (1965) – with the Beatles

''Reflections On Love'' (1966) (short subject)

''Magical Mystery Tour'' (1967) – with the Beatles

''The Beatles Mod Odyssey'' (1968) (short subject) – with the Beatles

''Yellow Submarine'' (1968)- with the Beatles

''Candy'' (1968)

''The Magic Christian'' (1969)

''Let It Be'' (1970) (documentary) – with the Beatles

''Music!'' (1971) (documentary)

''200 Motels'' (1971)

''Blindman'' (1971)

''The Point!'' (1971) (Narrator on Home Video release)

''Did Somebody Drop His Mouse?'' (1972) (short subject)

''The Concert for Bangladesh'' (1972) (documentary)

''Born to Boogie'' (1972) (documentary) (also director)

''That'll Be the Day'' (1973)

''Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars'' (1973) (documentary)

''Son of Dracula'' (1974)

''Lisztomania'' (1975)

''The Day the Music Died'' (1977) (documentary)

''The Beatles and Beyond'' (1977) (documentary)

''Sextette'' (1978)

'' Ringo (1978) TV film

''The Last Waltz'' (1978) (documentary)

''The Kids Are Alright'' (1979) (documentary)

''Caveman'' (1981)

''The Cooler'' (1982) (short subject)

''Princess Daisy (1983) (TV Movie) W/Barbara Bach (Robin and Vanessa Valerian)

''Give My Regards to Broad Street'' (1984)

''Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends'' (1984–1986) (U.K. & U.S. Narrator: Series 1-2)

''Water'' (1985) (Cameo)

''Alice in Wonderland'' (1985)

''Sun City/The Making of Sun City'' (1986) (documentary)

''Queen: The Magic Years'' (1987) (documentary)

''Walking After Midnight'' (1988) (documentary)

''The Return of Bruno'' (1988)

''Shining Time Station'' (1989) (Mr. Conductor)

"The Simpsons" (1991)

''The Beatles Anthology (1995) (documentary) – with the Beatles

''Concert for George'' (2003) (documentary)

''Oh My God'' (2009) (documentary)

''George Harrison: Living in the Material World'' (2011) (documentary)

== All-Starr Band editions ==

To date, Starr has toured with eleven versions of his All-Starr Band, where "everybody on stage is a star in their own right." The band has consistently toured for over a decade, and, in similar fashion to Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, rotates its line-up depending on the musicians' projects at a given time.

References [link]

Bibliography [link]

External links [link]

Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band

Ringo Starr's Drummerworld profile

Ringo Starr Artwork

Press Conference with Ringo Starr on The BackStage Pass internet radio show

The art of Ringo Starr

NYTimes interview for his 70th birthday

Ringo Starr (Paris Le Palais des Sports 2011)

Category:1940 births Category:Academy Award winners Category:Actors from Liverpool Category:People associated with The Who Category:Atlantic Records artists Category:Best Original Music Score Academy Award winners Category:English expatriates in the United States Category:E1 Music artists Category:English baritones Category:English film actors Category:English rock drummers Category:English vegetarians Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Living people Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire Category:Mercury Records artists Category:Pseudonymous musicians Category:People self-identifying as alcoholics Category:Plastic Ono Band members Category:The Beatles members Category:Thomas and Friends Category:World Music Awards winners

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name	Edgar Winter
birth name	Edgar Holland Winter
birth date	December 28, 1946
birth place	Beaumont, Texas, U.S.
background	solo_singer
genre	Rock, hard rock, jazz fusion, blues rock, blue-eyed soul, boogie rock
instrument	Vocals, piano, keyboards, saxophone, marimba, timbales, clavinet, synthesizer, guitar
years active	1969–present
occupation	Musician, songwriter, producer
label	Epic, Airline
associated acts	Johnny Winter, Rick Derringer, The Edgar Winter Group, Sawbuck, Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, David Lee Roth, Todd Rundgren
website
notable instruments	}}

Edgar Holland Winter (born December 28, 1946) is an American musician. He is famous for being a multi-instrumentalist. He is a highly skilled keyboardist, saxophonist and percussionist. He often plays an instrument while singing. He was most successful in the 1970s with his band, The Edgar Winter Group, notably with their popular songs "Frankenstein" and "Free Ride". He has albinism.

Biography[link]

Winter was born to John Winter II and Edith Winter on December 28, 1946, in Beaumont, Texas. Both he and his brother Johnny have albinism, and both were required to take special education classes in high school. Winter states, "In school I had a lot of friends. I wore a lot of white shirts to, like, blend in I guess. No one really gave me a hard time about being albino or taking special education classes. Then again, I wasn't really popular."

By the time Edgar Winter left his hometown of Beaumont, Texas, in the 1960s, he was already a proficient musician. A child prodigy who achieved international success early on, Edgar has found an audience in a number of major entertainment media, including music, film and television.

A prolific writer, Edgar's music encompasses many different genres, including rock, jazz, blues, and pop. From his critically acclaimed 1970 debut release, ''Entrance'', he has demonstrated his unique style and ability to cross the genre lines and do the unexpected. His early recording of "Tobacco Road" propelled him into the national spotlight. Edgar followed ''Entrance'' with two hit albums backed by his group White Trash, a group originally composed of musicians from Texas and Louisiana. White Trash enjoyed huge success, both with the 1971 release of the studio album, ''Edgar Winter's White Trash (album)'', and with 1972's follow-up live gold album, ''Roadwork''.

In late 1972, Winter brought together Dan Hartman, Ronnie Montrose and Chuck Ruff to form The Edgar Winter Group, the legendary band that created such hits as the number one "Frankenstein" and the ever popular "Free Ride". Released in 1973, ''They Only Come Out at Night'' peaked at the number 3 position on the Billboard Hot 200 and stayed on the charts for an impressive 80 weeks. It was certified gold in April 1973 and double platinum in November 1986.

Winter invented the keyboard body strap early in his career, an innovation that allows him the freedom to move around on stage during his multi-instrument high-energy performances.

After ''They Only Come Out At Night'', Winter released ''Shock Treatment'', featuring guitarist Rick Derringer in place of Ronnie Montrose. Later albums included ''Jasmine Nightdreams'', ''The Edgar Winter Group with Rick Derringer'', a live album, ''Together Live With Johnny Winter'', ''Recycled'', a reunion with White Trash, ''Standing On Rock'', ''Mission Earth'', ''Live In Japan'', ''Not A Kid Anymore'', ''The Real Deal'', and ''Winter Blues''.

Major national television and radio campaigns have used Winter's music to advertise their products. Winter has also made frequent television appearances, both to promote his music, and to give his opinions on everything from ''Politically Incorrect'' to a commercial with George Hamilton for Miller Lite beer. He has appeared in the film ''Netherworld'', and the TV shows ''The Cape'', ''Mysterious Ways'', ''David Letterman'', and ''The Jimmy Kimmel Show''.

Winter's music has been used in many film and television projects, including ''Netherworld'', ''Air America'', ''My Cousin Vinny'', ''Encino Man'', ''Son In Law'', ''What's Love Got to do With It'', ''Wayne's World 2'', ''Starkid'', ''Wag the Dog'', ''Knockabout Guys'', ''Duets'', ''Radio'', ''The Simpsons'', ''Queer as Folk'', and ''Tupac Resurrection''. Winter's song "Dying to Live" is featured as "Runnin” (Dying To Live) in the film ''Tupac Resurrection'', the biography on the life of rapper Tupac Shakur. Produced by Eminem, the song includes vocals by the Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, and Edgar Winter himself. "Runnin" is on numerous Billboard charts. It peaked at number 5 on the Hot R&B;/Hip Hop Singles Sales chart, and the soundtrack CD was number 1 for 8 consecutive weeks.

Winter's CD and DVD, titled, "Live At The Galaxy" was recorded live at the Galaxy Theatre for Classic Pictures in 2003. It features the songs, "Keep Playing That Rock and Roll", "Turn On Your Love Light", "Free Ride", "Texas", "Show Your Love", "New Orleans", "Frankenstein" and "Tobacco Road". In addition, the DVD includes a 30 Minute Documentary, "Edgar Winter: The Man and His Music".

Winter also played with Ringo Starr in his ninth All-Starr Band in 2006, in his tenth All-Starr Band in 2008 and in his eleventh All-Starr Band in 2010-11. On the 2010-11 tour, Winter would play with Rick Derringer again.

Scientologist[link]

Winter became a Scientologist after experimenting with heroin and mushrooms in the mid 1990's. He has appeared in at least seven issues of the Church of Scientology magazine ''Celebrity'' between 1995 and 2005, which list the Scientology courses that he has completed.

Winter also produced, arranged, and performed on the album ''Mission Earth'' (1986). This album's words and music were written by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Hubbard is said to have left detailed instructions and audio tapes for the musicians and producers to follow when making the album. Winter described ''Mission Earth'' as "both a return to rock’s primal roots and yet highly experimental." Winter wrote, "Ron's technical insight of the recording process was outstanding." Winter also described Hubbard's delineation of counter-rhythm in rock as something "which was nothing short of phenomenal, particularly in as much as it had then been entirely unexplored and only later heard in the African-based rhythms of Paul Simon's work, some five years after Ron’s analysis," (despite its well-documented and thoroughly analyzed existence in all musical genres throughout recorded history).

Discography[link]

Studio/live albums[link]

! Year	! Name	Billboard Top 200>United States
1970
1971
"They Only Come Out at Night"
1974
	"Jasmine Nightdreams"
"The Edgar Winter Group With Rick Derringer"
1976
1977	"Recycled"
1979	"The Edgar Winter Album"
1981	"Standing on Rock"
1986
1994	"Not a Kid Anymore"
1996	"The Real Deal"
1998	"Live in Japan"
1999	"Winter Blues"
2002	"Edgar Winter"
2004	"Jazzin' the Blues"
2008

Singles[link]

! Year	! Name	Billboard Hot 100>United States	UK Singles Chart>United Kingdom
1971	"Keep Playin' That Rock 'n' Roll"
1972	"I Can't Turn You Loose"
"Hangin' Around"
	"River's Risin'"
"Easy Street"

Producer[link]

''Open Fire'' by Ronnie Montrose - (1978) producer, piano, harpsichord

''Crazy from the Heat'' (1985) (David Lee Roth Session Work)

References[link]

External links[link]

Edgar Winter's official website

The Johnny Winter Story

Edgar Winter

Edgar Winter on IMDb

Category:1946 births Category:Living people Category:People with albinism Category:American musicians Category:People from Beaumont, Texas Category:American Scientologists Category:Epic Records artists Category:Musicians from Texas

cs:Edgar Winter de:Edgar Winter es:Edgar Winter fr:Edgar Winter it:Edgar Winter ja:エドガー・ウィンター no:Edgar Winter pt:Edgar Winter scn:Edgar Winter simple:Edgar Winter fi:Edgar Winter sv:Edgar Winter

Name	Richard Page
Constituency mp	South West Hertfordshire
Term start	13 December 1979
Term end	5 May 2005
Predecessor	Geoffrey Dodsworth
Successor	David Gauke
Constituency mp2	Workington
Term start2	4 November 1976
Term end2	3 May 1979
Predecessor2	Fred Peart
Successor2	Dale Campbell-Savours
Birth date	February 22, 1941
Birth place	Tredegar
Nationality	British
Party	Conservative
Spouse	Madeleine Ann Brown
Alma mater	University of Bedfordshire
Website	}}

Richard Lewis Page (born 22 February 1941 in Tredegar) is a former Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) in the United Kingdom from 1976 to 1979 and from December 1979 to 2005.

Early life[link]

He is the son of Victor Charles Page. He went to the independent Hurstpierpoint College in West Sussex and Luton Technical College (became Luton College of Higher Education in the 1970s), gaining an HNC in Mechanical Engineering in 1962. He was an apprentice at Vauxhall Motors in Luton from 1959 to 1963, then worked for Page Holdings, becoming the Chairman from 1985 to 1995 and 1997 onwards.

From 1968to 1971, he was a district councillor in Banstead, Surrey.

Parliamentary career[link]

Page won the seat of South West Hertfordshire in a by-election in 1979, having previously been MP for Workington from the by-election caused by the elevation of Fred Peart to the House of Lords in 1976 until losing the seat in the 1979 general election. One of a handful of MPs who have been successful in two by-elections.He had contested the Workington seat in the February and October 1974 elections. Private Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State for Trade 81−83 and then to the Leader of the House (John Biffen) 83−87. He was a junior minister DTI under [John Major] with responsibility for small business, alternative energy, biotechnology, coal, oil and BNFL. Lead minister in the privatisation of AEA Technology. Used his knowledge of the private members ballot procedure to be successful with two private members bills from the single private members ballot slot. Moved a 10 minute rule bill to reduce the number of MP.s claiming it could allow MPs to be better paid and save the state money. Member of the Public Accounts Committee for over seven years. Governor of the Foundation for Western Democracy 1998−2001. International Chairman Central Office 1999−2001. Shadow Spokesman DTI 2001−2003. Joint Chairman All Party Racing and Bloodstock Committee 1998−2005. Chairman Parliamentary Scientific Committee 2003−2005. He stepped down from the House of Commons at the United Kingdom 2005 General Election due to his wife's ill health. One of 13 Conservative MPs who spoke against and voted against decision to invade Iraq (18 March 2003) and the way the re-construction progressed.

Personal life[link]

He married Madeleine Ann Brown in 1964. They have a son and a daughter. Hobbies include horse racing owning and attempting to breed race horses. Won the House of Commons/Lords motor car race Brands Hatch and Donnington three times.

External links[link]

They Work For You

Category:1941 births Category:Living people Category:People educated at Hurstpierpoint College Category:Alumni of the University of Bedfordshire Category:Members of the United Kingdom Parliament for English constituencies Category:Conservative Party (UK) MPs Category:Cumbria MPs Category:UK MPs 1974–1979 Category:UK MPs 1979–1983 Category:UK MPs 1983–1987 Category:UK MPs 1987–1992 Category:UK MPs 1992–1997 Category:UK MPs 1997–2001 Category:UK MPs 2001–2005 Category:Politics of Dacorum

name	Melissa Etheridge
background	solo_singer
birth name	Melissa Lou Etheridge
birth date	May 29, 1961
origin	Leavenworth, Kansas, U.S.
instrument	Vocals, guitar, piano, harmonica, mandolin
genre	Heartland rock, folk rock, blues rock
occupation	Singer-songwriter, activist
years active	1988–present
label	Island
website	}}

Melissa Lou Etheridge (born May 29, 1961) is an American rock singer-songwriter and activist.

Etheridge is known for her mixture of confessional lyrics, pop-based folk-rock, and raspy, smoky vocals. She has also been an iconic gay and lesbian activist since her public coming out in January 1993.

Life and career[link]

Born in Leavenworth, Kansas, the younger of two girls, to John Etheridge, a psychology teacher at Leavenworth High School, and Elizabeth Williamson, a computer consultant. She attended David Brewer School, which is still located at 17th and Osage Streets. She graduated in 1979 from Leavenworth High School (LHS), 10th Avenue and Halderman. Etheridge was a member of the first "Power and Life" musical/dance group at LHS which is still active today. Her childhood home was at 1902 Miami Street.

Etheridge's interest in music began early; she picked up her first guitar at 8. She began to play in all-men country music groups throughout her teenage years, until she moved to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music.

While in Berklee, Etheridge played the club circuit around Boston. After three semesters, Etheridge decided to drop out of Berklee and head to Los Angeles to attempt a career in music. Etheridge was discovered in a bar called Vermie's in Pasadena, CA. She had made some friends on a women's soccer team and those new friends came to see her play. One of the women was Karla Leopold, whose husband, Bill Leopold, was a manager in the music business. Karla convinced Bill to see her perform live. He was impressed, and has remained a pivotal part of Etheridge's career ever since. This, in addition to her gigs in lesbian bars around Los Angeles, got her discovered by Island Records chief Chris Blackwell. She got a publishing deal to write songs for movies including the 1986 movie Weeds.

In 1985, prior to her signing, Etheridge sent her demo to Olivia Records, a lesbian record label, but was ultimately rejected. She saved the rejection letter, signed by "the women of Olivia", which was later featured in ''Intimate Portrait: Melissa Etheridge'', the Lifetime Television documentary of her life.

After an unreleased first effort that was rejected by Island Records as being too polished and glossy, she completed her stripped-down self-titled debut in just four days. Her eponymous debut album ''Melissa Etheridge'' was an underground hit, and the single, "Bring Me Some Water", a turntable hit, was nominated for a Grammy.

At the time of the album's release, it was not generally known that Etheridge was a lesbian. While on the road promoting the album, she paused in Memphis, Tennessee, to be interviewed for the radio syndication, Pulsebeat—Voice of the Heartland, explaining the intensity of her music by saying: "People think I'm really sad--or really angry. But my songs are written about the conflicts I have . . . I have no anger toward anyone else." She invited the radio syndication producer to attend her concert that night. He did and was surprised to find himself one of the few men in attendance.

1986–92: Road to rock stardom[link]

Etheridge followed up her first album's modest success by contributing background vocals to Don Henley's album ''The End of the Innocence''. She went into the studio and recorded her sophomore effort ''Brave and Crazy'' which was released in 1989.

''Brave and Crazy'' followed the same musical formula as her eponymous debut garnering a Grammy nomination. The album peaked at #22 on the ''Billboard'' charts (equal to her first album). Etheridge then went on the road, taking a page from one of her musical influences Bruce Springsteen, and built a loyal fan base. Etheridge is a Bruce Springsteen fan, and she has covered his songs "Thunder Road" and "Born to Run" during live shows.

In 1992, Etheridge released her third album ''Never Enough''. Similar to her prior two albums, ''Never Enough'' didn't reach the top of the charts peaking at #21 but gave Etheridge her first Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female for her single "Ain't It Heavy". ''Never Enough'' was considered a more personal and mature album from Etheridge at that time. With rumors circulating around her sexuality (Etheridge was not out yet at this point), the album seemed to inadvertently address these rumors.

In 1992, Etheridge established a performing arts scholarship at Leavenworth High School in honor of her father. She said her father used to "spend his weekends driving me to Kansas City and all points around there so I could play in bands. I was underage so I couldn't have gone without him."

1993: Yes I Am - 1994[link]

On September 21, 1993, Etheridge released what would become her mainstream breakthrough recording ''Yes I Am''. Co-produced with former The Police and Genesis Grammy-winning and Producer of the Year award-winning producer Hugh Padgham, ''Yes I Am'' spent 138 weeks on the Billboard 200 charts and peaked at #15 and scored mainstream hits "Come to My Window" and her only Billboard Top 10 single "I'm the Only One", which also hit #1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart. Sales-wise, ''Yes I Am'' earned a RIAA certification of 6× Platinum making it her biggest selling album to date.

Etheridge earned her second Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female for her single "Come to My Window". She also garnered two additional nominations in the Best Rock Song category for "I'm the Only One" and "Come to My Window" losing to Bruce Springsteen's "Streets of Philadelphia".

In 1993, Etheridge boycotted playing shows in Colorado over its passage of Amendment 2.

In a visit to Leavenworth in November 1994, she performed a benefit concert for a new park to be built near the high school. A ball field at the park will be named after her father. While she was here, she also donated money to help refurbish the Performing Arts Center in Leavenworth at 401 Delaware.

In 1994, Etheridge played a cover version of "Burning Love" live in Memphis, during the "It's Now Or Never, The Tribute To Elvis".

Also in 1994, she was honored by VH-1 for her work with the AIDS organization L.A. Shanti. During the televised occasion, she highlighted the appearance with a performance of "I'm the Only One" and a duet covering The Rolling Stone's Honky Tonk Woman with Sammy Hagar.

1995–2002: After her breakthrough [link]

The success of ''Yes I Am'' helped increase sales of Etheridge's earlier albums. In 1995 ''Melissa Etheridge'' earned a RIAA certification of 2× Platinum while ''Never Enough'' earned a RIAA certification of Platinum

Etheridge's follow-up to ''Yes I Am'' was the moderately successful ''Your Little Secret'' which wasn't as well received by critics as prior recordings. ''Your Little Secret'' is the highest charting album of Etheridge's career reaching #6 on the Billboard album charts, but only spent 41 weeks on the chart. The album produced two Top 40 singles "I Want to Come Over" (Billboard #22) and "Nowhere to Go" (Billboard #40) and earned a RIAA certification of 2× Platinum, less than "Yes I Am."

In 1996, Etheridge won ASCAP Songwriter of the Year award. She also took a lengthy break from the music business to concentrate on her domestic arrangements. She also recorded "Sin Tener A Donde Ir (Nowhere to Go)" for the AIDS benefit album ''Silencio=Muerte: Red Hot + Latin'' produced by the Red Hot Organization.

In 1997, she appeared as herself on the sitcom ''Ellen'' on "The Puppy Episode Part 2".

Etheridge returned to the music charts with the release of ''Breakdown'' in October 1999. ''Breakdown'' peaked at #12 on the Billboard charts and spent 18 weeks in the charts. Despite this, ''Breakdown'' was the only album of Etheridge's career to be nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album (losing to Santana's ''Supernatural''). In addition, her single "Angels Would Fall" was nominated in two categories: Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female (losing to Sheryl Crow) and Best Rock Song (losing to Red Hot Chili Peppers) in 2000. A year later, another single from the album "Enough of Me" was nominated for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female (also losing to Sheryl Crow).

The album earned a RIAA certification of Gold, below her prior 5 albums.

2001 saw the release of ''Skin'' an album she described as "the closest I've ever come to recording a concept album. It has a beginning, middle and end. It's a journey." ''Skin'' garnered generally positive reviews with Metacritic scoring the album 73/100 from 9 reviews. Recorded post her breakup with first partner Julie Cypher, critics noted that ''Skin'' was "A harrowing, clearly autobiographical dissection of a decaying relationship." Despite the positive reviews, ''Skin'' sold less than 500,000 copies. On the Billboard charts, it peaked at #9 but dropped out of the Top 200 after just 12 weeks. The single "I Want to Be in Love" was nominated for the Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female (losing to Lucinda Williams).

In 2002, Etheridge released her autobiography titled, "The Truth Is: My Life in Love and Music."

2004–present: ''Lucky'', cancer diagnosis, Academy Awards and Fearless Love [link]

Etheridge began 2004 with the release of her eighth album ''Lucky'' on February 10. Etheridge was now in a new relationship with actress Tammy Lynn Michaels whom she began dating in 2001. ''Lucky'' performed similarly to ''Skin'', selling fewer than 500,000 copies, peaking on the Billboard charts at #15 and spending 13 weeks on the charts. It also garnered a Grammy nomination for Etheridge's cover of the Greenwheel song "Breathe" for the Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Solo (losing to Bruce Springsteen).

In October 2004, Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the 2005 Grammy Awards (the same ceremony for which "Breathe" was nominated), she made a return to the stage and, although bald from chemotherapy, performed a tribute to Janis Joplin with the song "Piece of My Heart". . Etheridge's performance was lauded in song in India.Arie's "I Am Not My Hair".

On September 10, 2005, Etheridge participated in ReAct Now: Music & Relief, a telethon in support for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. ReAct Now, part of an ongoing effort by MTV, VH1, CMT, seeks to raise funds for the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and America's Second Harvest. Etheridge introduced a new song specially written for the occasion called "Four Days". The a cappella song included themes and images that were on the news during the aftermath of the hurricane. Other charities she supports include The Dream Foundation and Love Our Children USA.

On November 15, 2005, Etheridge appeared on the ''Tonight Show'' to perform her song "I Run for Life".

Etheridge wrote "I Need to Wake Up" for the film documentary ''An Inconvenient Truth'', which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2006. The song was released only on the enhanced version of her greatest hits album, ''The Road Less Traveled''.

Etheridge was also a judge for the 5th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.

In August 2006, Melissa also produced and sang the vocal tracks on the Brother Bear 2 soundtrack, including collaborations with Josh Kelley. On July 7, 2007, Etheridge performed at the Giants Stadium on the American leg of Live Earth. Etheridge performed the songs "Imagine That" and "What Happens Tomorrow" from ''The Awakening'', her tenth album, released on September 25, 2007, as well as the song "I Need To Wake Up" before introducing Al Gore. On December 11, 2007 she performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway, together with a variety of artists, which was broadcast live to over 100 countries. In addition, she performed at the U.S. 2008 Democratic National Convention on August 27, 2008. In July 2009, Etheridge announced through her website that she and John Shanks would begin recording her 11th studio album the following summer. This was the first time since 1999 Etheridge and Shanks were the only ones involved in the production of a project. Etheridge was featured in UniGlobe Entertainment's breast cancer docudrama titled ''1 a Minute'' released in 2010. The documentary is being made by actress Namrata Singh Gujral and will also feature breast cancer survivors Olivia Newton-John, Diahann Carroll, Namrata Singh Gujral, Mumtaz and Jaclyn Smith as well as William Baldwin, Daniel Baldwin and Priya Dutt. The feature is narrated by Kelly McGillis. The film will also star Bárbara Mori, Lisa Ray, Deepak Chopra and Morgan Brittany.

Etheridge also held a private listening party hosted at Michele Clark's Sunset Sessions 2010. She debuted her new album ''Fearless Love'' at the event held at the Rancho Bernardo Inn where she did a question and answer and played an acoustic set of her new singles in front of convention attendees and about 50 listeners of host station KPRI/SAN DIEGO.

Etheridge performed her title track "Fearless Love" from her new album and "Come to My Window" from 1993 on the April 27, 2010, airing of "Dancing With the Stars" on ABC.

Etheridge performed the role of St. Jimmy in Green Day's hit Broadway musical, American Idiot from February 1–6, 2011.

Etheridge said in July 2011 that she is writing songs for a musical that her partner, Linda Wallem, is writing.

Etheridge will play her first Pride event on Saturday, June 9,2012 at Pittsburgh Pride's - Pride in the Street. Pride in the Street is a block party that takes place on the made famous by Queer as Folk series Liberty Avenue between 9th and 10th Streets.

Personal life[link]

Etheridge's father, John Etheridge, was a high school psychology teacher, counselor and athletic director at her alma mater, ''Leavenworth High School''. He died in 1993. Her mother Elizabeth was a homemaker and a computer analyst and is now retired.

Etheridge came out publicly as a lesbian in January 1993 at the Triangle Ball, a gay celebration of President Bill Clinton's first inauguration. Etheridge supported Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign and since her coming out has been famous as a gay rights activist. She is also a committed advocate for environmental issues and in 2006, she toured the US and Canada using biodiesel.

Etheridge had a long-term partnership with Julie Cypher, and their relationship occasionally received press coverage. During this partnership, Cypher gave birth to two children, Bailey Jean, born February 10, 1997, and Beckett, born November 1998, fathered by sperm donor David Crosby. In 2000, Cypher began to reconsider her sexuality and on September 19, 2000, Etheridge and Cypher announced they were separating. In 2001, Etheridge documented her breakup with Cypher and other experiences in her memoir.

In 2002, Etheridge began dating actress Tammy Lynn Michaels. The two had a commitment ceremony on September 20, 2003. In April 2006, Etheridge and Michaels announced that Michaels was pregnant with twins via an anonymous sperm donor. Michaels gave birth to a daughter, Johnnie Rose, and a son, Miller Steven, on October 17, 2006. In October 2008, five months after the Supreme Court of California overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage, Etheridge announced that she and Michaels were planning to marry but were currently "trying to find the right time... to go down and do it". In November 2008, in response to the passing of California's Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriage, Etheridge announced that she would not pay her state taxes as an act of civil disobedience. On April 15, 2010 Etheridge and Michaels announced they had separated.

In October 2004, Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy. In October 2005, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Etheridge appeared on ''Dateline NBC'' with Michaels to discuss her struggle with cancer. By the time of the interview, Etheridge's hair had grown back after being lost during chemotherapy. She said that her partner had been very supportive during her illness. Etheridge also discussed using medicinal marijuana while she was receiving the chemotherapy. She said that the drug improved her mood and increased her appetite. In a June 15, 2009 interview with Anderson Cooper, Etheridge mentioned that she still uses marijuana to lessen the effects of acid reflux or in extremely stressful situations. Medical marijuana is legal in the state of California.

Etheridge supported Barack Obama's decision to have Pastor Rick Warren speak at his 2009 Presidential inauguration, believing that he can sponsor dialogue to bridge the gap between gay and straight Christians. She stated in her column at ''The Huffington Post'' that "Sure, there are plenty of hateful people who will always hold on to their bigotry like a child to a blanket. But there are also good people out there, Christian and otherwise, that are beginning to listen."

Awards[link]

Academy Awards[link]

The Academy Awards are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) |- ||2007 |"I Need To Wake Up" from the documentary ''An Inconvenient Truth'' |Best Original Song | |-

Grammy Awards[link]

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Etheridge has won two awards from fifteen nominations.

|- ||1989 |"Bring Me Some Water" |Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female | |- ||1990 |"Brave and Crazy" |Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female | |- ||1991 |"The Angels" |Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female | |- ||1993 |"Ain't It Heavy" |Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female | |- |rowspan="3"|1995 |rowspan="2"|"Come to My Window" |Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female | |- |Best Rock Song | |- |"I'm the Only One" |Best Rock Song | |- |rowspan="3"|2000 |rowspan="2"|"Angels Would Fall" |Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female | |- |Best Rock Song | |- |''Breakdown'' |Best Rock Album | |- ||2001 |"Enough of Me" |Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female | |- ||2002 |"I Want To Be In Love" |Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female | |- ||2003 |"The Weakness in Me" |Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female | |- ||2005 |"Breathe" |Best Rock Vocal Performance, Solo | |- ||2007 |"I Need To Wake Up" |Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media | |-

Other accolades[link]

At the 20th Annual Juno Awards in 1990, Etheridge won International Entertainer of the Year.

In 1996, she was awarded ASCAP's Songwriter of the Year Award.

In 2001, she won the Gibson Guitar Award for Best Rock Guitarist: Female.

In 2006, at the 17th GLAAD Media Awards, Etheridge received GLAAD's Stephen F. Kolzak Award, which honors openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender media professionals who have made a significant difference in promoting equal rights. In addition, she was awarded as Outstanding Music Artist for ''Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled''.

On May 13, 2006, at Berklee College of Music's 2006 commencement, held at Northeastern University's Matthews Arena, in Boston, Massachusetts, Berklee's president, Roger H. Brown, presented Etheridge with an Honorary Doctor of Music Degree ". Etheridge delivered the commencement address in front of more than 800 graduating students and 4,000 guests.

On February 18, 2009, Etheridge was named the "Celebrity Marshall" for Boston's 2009 Pride Parade by the Boston Pride Committee. The interesting part about this award is she actually didn't attend. The committee bestowed this honor without checking to see if she was available.

On September 27, 2011, Etheridge received the honor of having her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Located at 6901 Hollywood Boulevard, it is the 2,450th star awarded.

Discography [link]

1988: ''Melissa Etheridge''

1989: ''Brave and Crazy''

1992: ''Never Enough''

1993: ''Yes I Am''

1995: ''Your Little Secret''

1999: ''Breakdown''

2001: ''Skin''

2004: ''Lucky''

2005: ''Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled''

2007: ''The Awakening''

2008: ''A New Thought For Christmas''

2010: ''Fearless Love''

2011: ''Icon''

References[link]

External links[link]

allaccess.com

sunsetsessions.org

JUST CAUSE Magazine interview about activism, family, breast cancer. (Sept, 2009)

Melissa Etheridge @ Island Records

Melissa Etheridge Information Network

60 Minutes II Interview (June 30, 2000) with Charlie Rose

CNN interview (May 24, 2003)

CBS Early Show interview (October 26, 2005) (includes video)

CMT.com: Melissa Etheridge: Biography

Melissa Etheridge: Fearless interview with The 420 Times

Category:1961 births Category:Living people Category:American activists Category:American contraltos Category:American female guitarists Category:American female singers Category:American rock guitarists Category:American rock singers Category:Berklee College of Music alumni Category:Best Song Academy Award winning songwriters Category:Breast cancer survivors Category:Female rock singers Category:GLAAD Media Award winners Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Island Records artists Category:Juno Award winners Category:LGBT musicians from the United States Category:LGBT rights activists from the United States Category:Musicians from Kansas Category:People from Leavenworth County, Kansas Category:Lesbian musicians

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