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Ringo Starr Does Damage Control Over Fan Mail Controversy

By 
October 15, 2008 2:07 PM ET

Ringo Starr has responded to the outcry following his video message asking fans to no longer send him mail to autograph. The video was lamented by people who deemed Starr as unappreciative and too busy for his fans. Instead, Starr says in a statement, the ban on fan mail was "in direct response to an inordinate amount of items which have recently appeared for sale on e-bay, and to those that repeatedly send cards and items to be signed." Starr also felt all the mail was "a waste of paper and we all should be mindful of our carbon footprint," so fan e-mail is probably still encouraged. Starr also added that the initial video message wasn't aimed at his "real fans" who understand Ringo "has always signed items and is in fact the only Beatle to have been doing so." "How amazed am I to the reaction to my video update. I hope this statement gets as much. Please read this in a mellow way. Peace and love, Ringo," Starr said in conclusion.

Related Stories:
• Ringo Starr to Sell Art for Charity
• Ringo Starr Weaves a Dream Of All-Stars For His Summer Tour
• Ringo Starr Talks Liverpool 8, The Sixties, Being Overly Medicated During Beatles Gigs: Exclusive Audio

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