Not a Flesh Wound: Ringo Shrubbery Beheaded
Vandals decapitated a life-size topiary of Ringo Starr in Liverpool, England, last weekend after he said he missed nothing about the city. An Italian sculptor created the leafy tribute to Starr and the other Beatles to celebrate Liverpool's designation as a 2008 "European Capital of Culture."
SCOTT SIMON, host:
There was a beheading in Liverpool, England, last weekend. Vandals lopped off Ringo Starr's head from a life-sized Beatles topiary at the South Parkway Train Station. The Liverpool Daily Post says that the leafy noggins of the topiary, John, Paul and George, escaped unscathed.
An Italian sculptor created the topiary tribute just a few weeks ago to celebrate Liverpool's status as a 2008 European capital of culture. Authorities are now examining surveillance tape to try to identify the cutting culprit.
Ringo Starr irritated some residents of his old hometown when, after opening the European Capital of Culture events, he said he missed nothing about Liverpool. I'm surprised that Ringo's little leafy legs were left standing.
(Soundbite of song "Octopus's Garden")
Mr. RINGO STARR (Vocalist, Drums, The Beatles): (Singing) We would be warm below the storm in our little hideaway beneath the waves… Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright National Public Radio.
