A canceled date in the 1960s led to a country classic that the Beatles would later cover. Johnny Russell, faced with the dilemma of breaking a date, chose to turn the situation into a comedic excuse. He wrote the song 'Act Naturally' about his plan to become a movie star, which he intended to pitch to other artists. However, it was Buck Owens who recorded the first studio version of the song, sending it soaring to the top of the country charts. Two years later, The Beatles recorded their own version, with Ringo Starr on lead vocals. This full-circle moment culminated in a duet version of 'Act Naturally' recorded by Starr and Owens in the late 1980s, which received a Grammy nomination. But here's where it gets controversial: while the Beatles' version didn't perform as well in the States, it showcases the band's unexpected affinity for country music, with Paul McCartney crediting Starr's love for Americana as the reason behind the cover.
