Ringo Starr gained his first lead vocal on a Beatles single, with the US release of their version of Carl Perkins’ Matchbox.
The group had been performing the song since 1961, with Pete Best originally taking lead vocals. John Lennon briefly sang it in 1962, and Ringo took over after joining in August 1962.
The single, released as Capitol 5255, reached number 17 on the Billboard singles chart. Its b-side was ‘Slow Down’, originally a 1958 hit for Larry Williams.
Page last updated: 29 November 2011
By my reckoning, this is the only Beatles single released in the US or the UK that does not include a song written by one of the Beatles, yes?
As far as a new (current) release is concerned (Capitol Starline issues don’t count), yes, it is the only US single to not have a Beatles composition on either side.
I bought this 45 in 1964 and still have it. I always thought Slow Down was the A-side, maybe because I like it so much more than Matchbox. But it seems like Slow Down was played more on the radio.