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Ringo Starr -

Richard Starkey was born on July 7, 1942 in Dingle, an inner-city area of Liverpool in England.

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Childhood -

Starkey's childhood residence was 10 Admiral Grove, Merseyside, where he lived for 20 years before he rose to fame with the Beatles. Pictured is the family home in Admiral Grove in 1964.

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Roy Storm and the Hurricanes -

As a youngster, Starkey demonstrated an interest in the musical style known as skiffle. He joined a group of friends to form a band, and in 1957 was given his first drum kit. In 1959, he became the drummer with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. It was about this time that he adopted the name Ringo Starr after the rings he wore. Pictured is Starr, far right, with the group in 1960.

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Playing in Hamburg -

In the early 1960s, the Hurricanes were a top local band. They ended up playing a number of European gigs, including an engagement at the Kaiserkeller in Hamburg. The support band was a little known Liverpool outfit called the Beatles.

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John, Paul, George... and Pete Best -

The Beatles' first drummer was a guy called Pete Best. He'd played with the band since 1960 and recorded with them in 1962. Lennon, however, was displeased with Best's ability. So, too, was Beatles producer George Martin. On August 14, 1962, Starr accepted Lennon's invitation to join the Beatles. Two days later, Pete Best was fired. 

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First official performance as a Beatle -

Ringo Starr's first performance as a member of the Beatles was at Hulme Hall in Port Sunlight, Merseyside on August 18, 1962.

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Recording -

In early 1963 with Ringo having settled into his new role, the Beatles were enjoying nationwide popularity. 'Please Please Me' was a number one hit, and the band were busily recording in London with George Martin (pictured).

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'Thank Your Lucky Stars' -

The band's successful appearance on the British TV music show 'Thank Your Lucky Stars' (pictured) boosted record sales and radio play... and Beatlemania was just around the corner!

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Ringo sings -

Ringo's appeal with fans was such that many were asking him to sing. He first did so on the band's debut album 'Please Please Me,' released in 1963. The track, called 'Boys,' written by Luther Dixon and Wes Farrell, was originally recorded by the Shirelles in 1960. 'Boys' marked the beginning of a tradition where a song by their drummer would always be included on a Beatles album.

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America beckons -

The Beatles' triumphant appearance on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' in February 1964 (pictured) heralded the band's enormous appeal in America and subsequent worldwide success. Ringo was a favorite with many audiences, and was often called the funniest Beatle, the "life and soul" of early press conferences, as British newspaper the Guardian described him.

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Acting star -

Ringo Starr's talent as an actor was recognized with the release of the Beatles' film debut 'A Hard Day's Night' (1964). Critics praised the drummer's delivery of deadpan one-liners and his non-speaking scenes as among the movie's highlights. Pictured is a scene from 'A Hard Day's Night,' directed by Richard Lester and considered one of British cinema's most influential musical films.

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'Help!' (1965) -

In 'Help!' (1965), Starr took a central role as the man who wears a special ring that members of a sinister cult are desperate to get their hands on. The film follows the Beatles as they attempt to record a new album while trying to protect their drummer. A poll by the British music weekly Melody Maker placed Starr ahead of his bandmates as the best actor in the film.

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Hospital -

As a child, Starkey was afflicted with several illnesses, with periods of prolonged hospitalization. In June 1964, he was stricken with pharyngitis and tonsillitis and was hospitalized. As a result, he missed the start of the Beatles' summer world tour. Starr did eventually undergo a tonsillectomy, in December 1964. He's pictured in hospital receiving a visit from George Harrison.

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John, Paul, George... and Jimmie -

The Beatles' 1964 summer world tour went ahead without Starr, who was recuperating at home. He was temporarily replaced for five concerts by session drummer Jimmie Nicol, seen here with John, Paul, and George. Starr rejoined the band in Melbourne, Australia on June 15.

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Marriage to Maureen -

Starr met his future wife Maureen Cox in 1962. The pair married in February 1965. Brian Epstein, the Beatles' manager, was best man. Missing is Paul McCartney, who was on vacation.

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No. 1 song -

In August 1966, the Beatles released 'Revolver.' It included the song 'Yellow Submarine,' their only British no. 1 single with Starr as the lead singer. August of that year also saw the band give up touring.

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'With a Little Help from My Friends' -

One of Ringo Starr's most memorable contributions as a lead vocalist is 'With a Little Help from My Friends.' It's the second track on side one of the Beatles' seminal 1967 album, 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.'

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Favorite album -

'Sgt. Pepper' is not Ringo Starr's favorite Beatle's album. That honor goes to 'Abbey Road,' and especially side two, where the only recorded drum solo played by Starr on a Beatles record can be heard. Nonetheless, 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' remains a classic and won studio audio engineer Geoff Emerick a Grammy Award. He's pictured with Starr and producer George Martin with the award.

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'Magical Mystery Tour' (1967) -

Ringo Starr's burgeoning interest in film led him to being credited as director of photography on the Beatles' made-for-television production 'Magical Mystery Tour.' He's pictured playing soccer between takes.

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Out on his own -

By now, Starr was feeling somewhat isolated from the rest of the band, who often dismissed his services in the studio as a drummer to the point where he felt like a session musician. Seeking diversion, he became the first Beatle to sing on another artist's show without the others, performing a duet with British singing star Cilla Black, 'Do You Like Me Just a Little Bit?', on her BBC One television program 'Cilla' (1968).

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'Yellow Submarine' (1968) -

'Yellow Submarine' resurfaced again in 1968 when it became the theme song for the Beatles' film of the same name. Ringo Starr is seen attending a July 8, 1968 press screening for the film, accompanied by one of the music-hating "Blue Meanies."

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India trip -

While in Rishikesh in India with the band, Starr composed 'Don't Pass Me By,' one of two tracks credited to the drummer as singer and songwriter (the other song is 'Octopus's Garden,' which appears on 'Abbey Road'). Pictured is Paul McCartney, his girlfriend Jane Asher, Ringo Starr, and his wife Maureen arriving at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's transcendental meditation center.

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'The Magic Christian' (1969) -

By August 1969, the Beatles were a band in name only. In December of that year, 'The Magic Christian' was released. Starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr, the film, a satirical black comedy, helped channel Starr's movie aspirations and take his mind off the band's impending breakup.

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'Sentimental Journey' (1970) -

Ringo Starr's debut solo album, 'Sentimental Journey,' was released in March 1970. Over the next decade or so, the former Beatle would divide his time between recording music and working in film.

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Film director -

In 1972, Starr directed 'Born to Boogie,' a concert film featuring T.Rex, Marc Bolan, Elton John, and Starr himself performing at the Empire Pool in Wembley in north London. Pictured is Starr with Bolan.

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With a little more help from his friends -

George Harrison helped Starr complete two of his biggest hit songs, 'It Don't Come Easy' and 'Back Off Boogaloo,' in the early 1970s. In fact, throughout the decade Starr worked with all three of his former bandmates at various times on different projects. His 1973 album 'Ringo' is noted for the participation of all four former Beatles, working and recording with Lennon and Harrison in the United States, and then McCartney in England. He's pictured with Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1975.

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Drugs and alcohol -

In 1975, Starr and his wife Maureen divorced. The drummer had developed a drug and alcohol problem and by his own admission had become a drunk, a wife-beater, and an absent father. His lifestyle during this period revolved around the likes of fellow musicians Harry Nilsson and Keith Moon, both notorious for their drink-fueled late night partying and hell-raising antics.

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'Caveman' (1981) -

Nevertheless, Starr was still recording, playing live, and making films. In 1981, he appeared in 'Caveman,' which costarred Dennis Quaid and featured Barbara Bach. Starr and Bach were married just over a year later.

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Hall of Fame -

George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and Yoko Ono gather at the 1988 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony as the Beatles are honored.

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Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band -

In 1989, the former Beatle announced the formation of his All-Starr Band. A live rock supergroup with shifting personnel, the band has previously included some of rock music's most illustrious celebrities, people like Bruce Springsteen, Harry Nilsson, Joe Walsh, Pete Townsend, Jack Bruce, and, on several occasions, Starr's son Zak.

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Back with Macca -

After the deaths of John Lennon and George Harrison, Ringo has often reunited with Paul McCartney for recording projects and live appearances. The pair appeared together for the Concert for George in 2002 organized in memory of their late bandmate, and in April 2009 he again appeared with McCartney at the David Lynch Foundation's Change Begins Within benefit concert, held at New York's Radio City Music Hall. More recently, the two surviving Beatles were seen together during a livestreamed concert organized for Starr's 80th birthday in 2020.

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Sir Ringo Starr -

Ringo Starr poses at Buckingham Palace after receiving his Knighthood at an Investiture ceremony on March 20, 2018 in London, England. He followed Paul McCartney in becoming a "Sir."

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Still busy -

Ringo Starr speaks on stage during the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on March 14, 2021. “Nothing makes me feel old,” he told People ahead of his 83rd birthday in 2023. “In my head, I’m 27.”

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Peace and love -

Ringo Starr today leads an active and healthy lifestyle. He meditates often, and like McCartney is a vegetarian. Fittingly, his catchphrase and motto for life is "peace and love." 

Sources: (The Guardian) (Independent) (Far Out Magazine) (Cinema Realm) (Meet the Beatles for Real)

See also: Rare vintage photos of artists backstage

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