Video: 'A Dose of Rock 'n' Roll'

(Sunday, May 23, 1976) — Former Beatle Ringo Starr continued work today on his upcoming album Ringo’s Rotogravure, recording the track “A Dose of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” which would later become the album’s lead single.

Written by songwriter Carl Groszman, who was signed at the time to Starr’s Ring O’ Records label, the upbeat track was completed after numerous attempts in the studio, with Take 26 selected as the master recording.

The session featured an extensive group of musicians, including guitarist Peter Frampton, who contributed prominent lead guitar parts, along with guitarists Jesse Ed Davis and Danny Kortchmar.

Bass duties were handled by longtime Starr associate Klaus Voormann, while keyboardist Dr. John added piano and organ.

A horn section rounded out the recording, including trumpeters Randy Brecker and Alan Rubin, tenor saxophonists Michael Brecker and George Young, and baritone saxophonist Lew Del Gatto.

Released in the United States on Sept. 20, 1976, ahead of the album’s release, “A Dose of Rock ’n’ Roll” became Starr’s first charting single as an Atlantic Records artist, spending nine weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching No. 26.

A promotional U.S. single also featured a specially edited version that removed the song’s up-tempo introduction.