LONDON – The Vatican may have forgiven the Beatles over the weekend for their “satanic” messages – but Ringo Starr, the legendary band’s drummer, says he couldn’t care less.
In a tribute published to mark the 40th anniversary of the breakup of the band, who singer John Lennon once claimed were “more popular than Jesus,” the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano said it had forgiven them.
But Starr told CNN: “Didn’t the Vatican say we were satanic or possibly satanic – and they’ve still forgiven us? I think the Vatican, they’ve got more to talk about than the Beatles.”
Starr was speaking to CNN’s Becky Anderson about the launch of his latest solo album called Y Not, which was released in January.
The album is Starr’s 15th album as a solo artist.
Starr also responded to allegations that he had asked his fans to “back off” and explained why he no longer signs autographs.
“I just said to fans that I’m not signing anymore,” Starr said.
“That what it was, it wasn’t back off, I’m not a vicious man. I don’t sign anymore, people say sign this and I just say no.”