The Beatles Ringo Starr Biography
Born Richard Starkey on July 7, 1940, the Liverpudlian went from very humble
beginnings to become a member of the greatest popular music act of all time, the
Beatles. Spending most of his childhood moving in and out of hospitals, where he
learned to play the drums, Starkey's health slowly improved, and as a teenager
he played the English holiday camps known as Butlins. Here, he developed the
eclectic skills and diverse musical knowledge that would serve him well in years
to come. Playing in various "beat" groups of late-'50s Liverpool, Starkey, using
the show name Ringo Starr (due to his penchant for gaudy rings) became a local
favorite with the band, Rory Storm & the Hurricanes.
Through guitarist George Harrison, Ringo was invited to join the Beatles just as
their fame began its inexorable rise. His drumming, a perfect combination of
great feel, inventive grooves and nonchalant good taste, was matched by his good
nature and quick wit. With Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Harrison, Ringo
became one of the most recognizable, quoted and influential musicians of the
1960s. Not a singer or songwriter per se, he did put his vocal stamp on a
handful of Beatles songs: "Matchbox," "I Wanna Be Your Man," "Act Naturally,"
"Yellow Submarine," "With A Little Help From My Friends," "Octopus's Garden" and
"Good Night."
After the Beatles disbanded in 1970, Ringo's solo career did surprisingly well.
His hits included the partly Harrison-penned "It Don't Come Easy," as well as
"Photograph," "Back Off Boogaloo," "You're Sixteen," "Oh My My," "Only You" and
"No No Song." He also did session work with each of the former Beatles, plus
Harry Nilsson and Stephen Stills.
Ringo's albums faded from public view toward the end of the '70s, but his career
was resurrected through clever "All-Starr" touring packages that banded Ringo
with talented warhorses like Joe Walsh, Mark Hudson, Peter Frampton, Jack Bruce,
Gary Brooker and Simon Kirke. His 1998 album, Vertical Man, featured guest
appearances by his former bandmates McCartney and Harrison, and well as Alanis
Morissette, Scott Weiland and Tom Petty.
After appearing at the tribute concert for Harrison in late 2002, Ringo honored
his late one-time bandmate with "Never Without You." The song from Starr's 2003
album Ringo Rama, features Eric Clapton guesting on guitar
Ringo Starr Biography
The Beatles Lyrics
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