after john lennon's murder in december 1980, starr returned home to england to live at tittenhurst park, which starr had purchased from lennon in 1973. in early 1982, starr was eager to move on to his next solo project. deciding that he needed more consistency this time around, he would work with only one producer, joe walsh, a former member of the recently disbanded eagles. walsh and starr had known each other since the mid-1970s, having met and befriended each other in los angeles. walsh immediately agreed to work with starr and they met at tittenhurst in february to begin writing material. recording shortly afterwards begun and instrumental backing tracks for seven songs were recorded at startling studios, after starr had previously converted lennon's recording studio. engineering duties were handled by jim nipor. these sessions were mainly done with a team consisting of starr on drums and percussion, walsh on guitar and backing vocals, mo foster on bass and keyboardists gary brooker and chris stainton.