Nancy Lee Andrews (born c. 1947) is an American model and photographer, best known for her high-profile relationship and engagement to former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr during the latter half of the 1970s. She also established a career as a fashion photographer and later published a book of her rock-and-roll photography.
Early Life and Modeling Career
Born in the United States, Nancy Lee Andrews began her career as a model. She appeared in various publications, including a pictorial in Playboy magazine in the 1970s. Her modeling work brought her into the public eye and the social circles of the entertainment industry.
Relationship with Ringo Starr
Andrews met Ringo Starr in 1975. Their relationship quickly became serious, and they were engaged in 1976. During their time together, Andrews and Starr lived in Monte Carlo and Los Angeles. Andrews was a significant figure in Starr's life during a period marked by his struggles with alcoholism and a less active musical career. She is often credited by biographers and Starr himself with being a stabilizing presence during these tumultuous years. Their relationship, characterized by both passionate devotion and well-documented arguments, lasted for approximately five years before they separated in 1980.
Photography Career
Parallel to her modeling and her relationship with Starr, Andrews developed a career as a photographer, specializing in fashion and music photography. Her access to the inner circles of rock music, particularly through Starr, provided her with unique opportunities to photograph prominent musicians and celebrities. Her work captured candid moments and behind-the-scenes glimpses of rock stars.
In 2008, Andrews published a photography book titled A Dose of Rock 'n' Roll. The book features a collection of her photographs from the 1970s and 1980s, including numerous intimate portraits of Ringo Starr, as well as other notable figures such as George Harrison, Keith Moon, and John Lennon. The title is a nod to Starr's 1976 album, Ringo's Rotogravure, which included a track written by Andrews and Starr called "A Dose of Rock 'n' Roll."
Later Life
Following her separation from Ringo Starr, Nancy Lee Andrews largely maintained a more private life, continuing her work as a photographer. She occasionally contributes to discussions or retrospective works concerning the rock-and-roll era she was a part of.