Written by: Richard Starkey, Vini Poncia, Clifford T Ward
Recorded: May; June; August; September 1976
Producer: Arif Mardin
Released: 17 September 1976 (UK), 27 September 1976 (US)
Available on:
Ringo’s Rotogravure
Personnel
Ringo Starr: vocals, drums
Danny Kortchmar, Jesse Ed Davis: electric guitar
Dr John: keyboards
Klaus Voormann: bass guitar
Jim Keltner: drums
George Devens: marimba
Michael Brecker, Lou Marini: tenor saxophone
Lewis Delgatto: baritone saxophone
Harry Nilsson, David Lasley: vocals
‘Lady Gaye’ is the tenth song on Ringo Starr’s 1976 album Ringo’s Rotogravure.
The song was based on Clifford T Ward’s ‘Birmingham’, which appeared on his 1975 album No More Rock ‘N’ Roll. The melodies of both songs are similar. Furthermore, Ward had an international hit in 1973 with the song ‘Gaye’, which seemingly inspired the lyrics of ‘Lady Gaye’. As a result, Ward was listed as a co-writer, along with Starr and Vini Poncia.
‘Hey! Baby’ was the second single released from Ringo’s Rotogravure, with ‘Lady Gaye’ on the b-side. It was released on 22 November in the US, where it reached number 74 on the US Pop chart.
The single was also issued on 26 November in the UK, but failed to chart.