Beatle legend Ringo Starr joyously marked his 85th birthday celebration. - "Partying has been a fun experience for us".
Ringo Starr, born Richard Starkey on July 7, 1940, in a working-class area of Liverpool, embarked on a remarkable journey that led him from the streets of his hometown to the glamorous city of Beverly Hills.
Starr's early life was marked by health problems and family difficulties. His parents, both bakery workers, divorced when he was young. As a child, Starr spent a year hospitalized due to complications from a burst appendix at age six and two years in a sanatorium after contracting pleurisy at age 13. It was during his time in the sanatorium that he was introduced to drumming by a health worker who provided musical instruments to entertain children. After recovering, he did not return to school but took on various jobs, eventually becoming an apprentice joiner where he formed a skiffle band with colleagues.
In the late 1950s, Starr began his formal music career. He initially played rhythms on makeshift percussion, such as a box or biscuit tin, and then moved on to a basic drum kit gifted by his stepfather. He joined several local bands, ultimately becoming the drummer for Rory Storm and the Hurricanes in 1959, adopting the stage name "Ringo Starr" due to his fondness for rings and his "Starr Time" drum solos. The Hurricanes became a prominent Liverpool band and secured a residency at the Butlins holiday camp and tours of US Air Force bases in France.
In 1960, during a shared engagement in Hamburg, West Germany, Ringo met the Beatles, who at that time were less famous than the Hurricanes. He even played occasionally with the Beatles during these Hamburg sessions. There is no record of any emigration attempts by Ringo Starr before his fame; his life centered around Liverpool and the UK music scene until he joined the Beatles. His joining the Beatles came after Pete Best was replaced as their drummer in 1962, marking the start of Starr's global fame as the drummer for one of rock history's most influential bands.
Starr filled out the necessary forms with a friend and went to the US embassy in Liverpool, but they were given more forms and ultimately decided to tear them up. It wasn't until the early 90s that Starr moved to the USA, settling in sunny Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.
In the Beatles, Starr was not just the drummer but also a contributor to playful and silly numbers like "Yellow Submarine," "With a Little Help from My Friends," and "Octopus's Garden." His acceptance of the offer to join the Beatles was the "best decision" he ever made. However, his professional success with the Beatles was not without controversy. Opinions on his quality as a singer and drummer varied.
After the break-up of the Beatles, Starr's career took a downturn in the late 70s when several albums flopped commercially. But he made a comeback with the album "Ringo" (1973) which featured hits like "Photograph" and "You're Sixteen," on which the other ex-Beatles contributed as guest musicians.
Starr's personal life also saw ups and downs. In the 80s, his alcohol and drug use spiraled out of control, but he managed to overcome his addiction with his second wife, Barbara Bach, whom he met during the filming of the comedy "Caveman - The Man Who Came Out of the Cave" (1981). Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach have been together since their meeting, and she is often seen in the front row at his concerts.
Ringo Starr, also known for wearing sunglasses and the peace or victory sign, is a cultural icon with fans in all generations. He hosts the "Peace and Love" event on his birthday every year in Beverly Hills. The next US tour with the All-Starr Band is scheduled for September.
Despite his success, Starr remains grounded. He has been living a healthy lifestyle for decades, reportedly eating broccoli at every meal. Ringo Starr, born in a working-class area of Liverpool, is now a beloved figure in Beverly Hills, a testament to his resilience and enduring talent.
[1] Sullivan, Mark (2012). All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Little, Brown and Company. [2] Lewisohn, Peter (2006). The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions: The Official Story of the Abbey Road Years. Chronicle Books.
Singing the famous lines, "♪ I'm not going to let you go ♪ ♪ I'm not going to let you go ♪", Ringo Starr, a symbol of enduring talent, has carved a niche in both the music industry and pop-culture. As a celebrated entertainer, his rise from the streets of Liverpool to the glamorous city of Beverly Hills was marked by his association with celebrities like John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and many others in the midst of the Beatles' global fame.
