Sir Ringo Starr has shared a message after he was pictured speaking on the phone with Sir Paul McCartney. Sir Paul returned home yesterday (July 21) for the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts graduation ceremony.
McCartney in Liverpool for LIPA ceremony
The legendary Beatle founded LIPA and comes back to Liverpool each year for the graduation ceremony. Yesterday's ceremony was particularly special as Sir Paul honoured fellow Scouser, Stephen Graham, with a LIPA Companionship. Adolescence star Stephen was one of five people to recognised for his services to the creative industry at the M&S Bank Arena.
BAFTA-winning actor and writer Cathy Tyson, Paul Duhaney, artistic director of Africa Oyé, McFly founding member, songwriter and author Tom Fletcher and film producer and president of the Oscars, Lynette Howell Taylor were also recognised. Ahead of the ceremony on the waterfront, Sir Paul was spotted by the Magical Mystery Tour in his car.
FaceTime call with Ringo
The 84-year-old icon posed for photos and was on FaceTime to his Beatles bandmate, Sir Ringo. The drummer took to Instagram after the incredible moment as he said: "How about that for a Magical Mystery Tour in Liverpool? Peace and Love, Ringo."
Sir Paul has reshared the post on his Instagram account this afternoon. A message shared on his official account said: "In light of Paul being in Liverpool this week.." The post then shared a link to a Liverpool Spotify featuring Sir Paul's many songs that have paid tribute to his Liverpool roots over his six decade career.
New album and memories
The first three songs are from his latest album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, which was released earlier this year. Songs include Days We Left Behind, Salesman Saint and the duet with Sir Ringo, Home To Us. A post from the official Beatles account responded to share a series of laughing emojis. The official Liverpool Philharmonic Hall account added: "Welcome any time."
Magical Mystery Tour's account shared a message as it said: "Peace & Love from all of us at Magical Mystery Tour Liverpool." Sir Paul's latest album sees him in an introspective mode as he looks back on his upbringing in Liverpool. Dungeon Lane is located in Speke and Sir Paul used to visit as a child when it was the main access point to the beauty spot, Oglet Shore.
The Speke road may no longer lead to the picturesque beauty spot since the perimeter of Liverpool John Lennon Airport was expanded, but this doesn't mean that Dungeon Lane has lost any of its appeal to Sir Paul. Although now an ordinary looking road, Sir Paul treasures his formative memories made here and he even makes sure to take his family to Dungeon Lane whenever he is showing them around the city.
In quotes given exclusively to the ECHO earlier this year, Sir Paul said: "I'd been there not that long ago. Sometimes when I go up to Liverpool and I’ve got the kids with me, I’ll do the tour. I’ll drive them around. That’s where we did our first gig. And that’s where we used to live there. And that’s where we caught the bus to school. So going down Dungeon Lane, I would say 'And this is Dungeon Lane'." The changing face of the road makes it an ideal reference point for Sir Paul's 18th solo album. He added: "It’s called The Boys of Dungeon Lane and about half the album is about memories and things I remember and the other half is about other stuff, not all about one thing but a selection of songs I’ve written over the last few years."
