Ringo Starr facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ringo Starr
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Starr in 2019
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Richard Starkey
7 July 1940 Liverpool, England
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| Years active | 1957–present |
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| Children | 3, including Zak Starkey |
| Relatives | Francesca Gregorini (stepdaughter) |
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Sir Richard Starkey (born 7 July 1940), known as Ringo Starr, is an English musician, singer, songwriter, and actor. He became famous as the drummer for the Beatles. Ringo sometimes sang lead vocals for the band. You can hear his voice on songs like "Yellow Submarine" and "With a Little Help from My Friends". He also wrote Beatles songs such as "Don't Pass Me By" and "Octopus's Garden".
When he was a child, Ringo had serious health problems. As a teenager, he became very interested in skiffle music. In 1957, he started his first band, the Eddie Clayton Skiffle Group. Before joining the Beatles in August 1962, Ringo was the drummer for another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He replaced Pete Best in the Beatles.
After the Beatles broke up, Ringo released many successful songs. These include "It Don't Come Easy", "Photograph", and "You're Sixteen". His 1973 album Ringo was very popular. Ringo has also acted in many films and hosted TV shows. He narrated the children's show Thomas & Friends and played "Mr. Conductor" on Shining Time Station. Since 1989, he has toured with his band, Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band.
Ringo's drumming style was unique and influenced many other drummers. He focused on the feel of the music rather than just technical skills. He was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1999. Rolling Stone readers named him the fifth-greatest drummer ever in 2011. Ringo was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice: once with the Beatles in 1988, and again as a solo artist in 2015. He was made a Knight Bachelor in 2018 for his contributions to music.
Contents
Early Life and Childhood Challenges
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Richard Starkey was born on 7 July 1940. His birthplace was 9 Madryn Street in Dingle, a part of Liverpool, England. He was the only child of Richard Starkey and Elsie Gleave, who both worked as confectioners.
In 1944, his family moved to Admiral Grove. Soon after, his parents divorced. Ringo later said he didn't remember much about his father. His mother, Elsie, worked hard cleaning houses and as a barmaid to support them.
When Ringo was six, he had appendicitis. After surgery, he got a serious infection called peritonitis. He was in a coma for several days and spent a year recovering in the hospital. When he came home in May 1948, he missed school. At eight years old, he struggled with reading and maths.
In 1953, he got tuberculosis and stayed in a sanatorium for two years. To help with boredom, the hospital staff encouraged patients to join a band. This was Ringo's first time playing a percussion instrument. He used a cotton bobbin to hit cabinets like drums. He soon became very interested in drumming.
Ringo went to St Silas Primary School and later Dingle Vale Secondary Modern School. He was good at art, drama, and practical subjects like mechanics. Because of his long hospital stays, he fell behind in school.
In 1954, Ringo's mother married Harry Graves. Harry loved big band music and introduced Ringo to artists like Dinah Shore. Ringo said Harry was "great" and taught him gentleness. After leaving the sanatorium in 1955, Ringo didn't go back to school. He preferred to stay home, listen to music, and play drums on biscuit tins.
Ringo's childhood was tough. Their homes were small and old. Crime was also a concern in their poor neighborhood. Ringo said, "You kept your head down, your eyes open, and you didn't get in anybody's way."
After leaving the sanatorium, Ringo started working. He had a short job with British Rail to get warm clothes. He also worked as a waiter on a boat. In 1956, his stepfather helped him get an apprenticeship as a machinist. There, Ringo met Roy Trafford, who introduced him to skiffle music.
Music Career Beginnings
First Bands and Drumming
Ringo and Roy Trafford started practicing skiffle songs during lunch breaks. Roy played guitar, and Ringo made rhythms on a box or biscuit tin. They formed the Eddie Miles Band, later called Eddie Clayton and the Clayton Squares. Ringo used a thimble on a washboard for rhythms.
For Christmas 1957, Ringo's stepfather gave him a second-hand drum kit. It had a snare drum, bass drum, and a cymbal made from a rubbish bin lid. This basic kit helped Ringo improve his drumming. The Eddie Clayton band got good local gigs.
In November 1959, Ringo joined Al Caldwell's Texans. They wanted a drummer with a proper kit to become a rock and roll band. They changed their name to Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. Around this time, he started using the stage name Ringo Starr. He chose "Ringo" because he wore many rings. His drum solos were called Starr Time.
By 1960, the Hurricanes were a top band in Liverpool. They even got a three-month job at a Butlins holiday camp in Wales. This led to other chances, like touring US Air Force bases in France. The Hurricanes became so popular that they turned down a job in Hamburg at first. They later accepted, joining the Beatles at the Kaiserkeller on 1 October 1960. Ringo met the Beatles there. The Hurricanes were more famous than the Beatles at that time. Ringo even played with the Beatles a few times in Hamburg.
Joining The Beatles
Becoming the Beatles' Drummer
Ringo left Rory Storm and the Hurricanes in January 1962. On 14 August, John Lennon asked Ringo to join the Beatles. Two days later, Beatles manager Brian Epstein fired their drummer, Pete Best. Best's fans were very upset. They protested outside his house and at the Cavern Club.
Ringo first played with the Beatles on 18 August 1962. His first recording session with them was on 4 September 1962. For their second session, producer George Martin used another drummer, Andy White. Ringo played tambourine on "Love Me Do" and maracas on "P.S. I Love You". Ringo worried he might be replaced. Martin later said he just didn't know Ringo's style yet.
By November 1962, Beatles fans accepted Ringo. They even wanted him to sing. He started getting as much fan mail as the other Beatles. Ringo felt lucky to be on the same "wavelength" as the band. He said, "I had to join them as people as well as a drummer."
Worldwide Fame and Success
In 1963, the Beatles became very popular in Britain. Their song "Please Please Me" was a hit. By February 1964, the Beatles were famous worldwide. They performed on The Ed Sullivan Show in New York City to 73 million viewers. Ringo felt he had made it as a personality. He said their appeal was that they were "ordinary lads."
In 1964, "I love Ringo" pins were the most popular Beatles merchandise. The Ludwig logo on his drum kit made the company famous. During live shows, the "Starr Time" routine continued. John Lennon would put a microphone in front of Ringo's drums, and the crowd would cheer.
Ringo also acted in the Beatles' first film, A Hard Day's Night. Critics liked his funny one-liners and silent scenes. Director Richard Lester had to arrange Ringo's silent scenes because Ringo was tired from being out all night. After their second film, Help! (1965), Ringo won a Melody Maker poll for his acting.
In June 1964, Ringo got sick with a high fever and tonsillitis. He had to stay in the hospital for a few days. A temporary drummer, Jimmie Nicol, filled in for five concerts. Ringo rejoined the band in Melbourne on 15 June. He later worried he might be replaced permanently.
On 11 February 1965, Ringo married Maureen Cox. They had met in 1962. The pressure of Beatlemania was very high. Ringo even received a death threat before a show in Montreal. He positioned his cymbals vertically to protect himself. The constant pressure affected the band's playing. Ringo felt he was becoming isolated from the others' music. He often played cards with their road managers during recording sessions.
Studio Years and Band Changes
In August 1966, the Beatles released Revolver. It included "Yellow Submarine", their only UK number-one song with Ringo as the lead singer. Later that month, the Beatles stopped touring because of the pressure. Their last concert was a 30-minute show in San Francisco. Ringo said, "Four years of Beatlemania were enough for anyone." He moved to a large estate in Weybridge, near John Lennon. He had many luxury items but no drum kit. He explained, "When we don't record, I don't play."
For the 1967 album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Ringo sang "With a Little Help from My Friends". Even though Sgt. Pepper was a huge success, Ringo felt more distant from the band. He said it was like being a session musician. He often just added small percussion sounds to songs by the other Beatles. In his free time, Ringo worked on his guitar playing.
When their manager Brian Epstein died in August 1967, the Beatles were without guidance. Ringo said it was a "strange time." Soon after, they started the film project Magical Mystery Tour. Ringo's interest in photography led to him being the Director of Photography. In February 1968, Ringo was the first Beatle to sing on another artist's show. He sang "Act Naturally" and a duet with Cilla Black.
In November 1968, Apple Records released The Beatles, also known as the "White Album." The band wrote most of the album in India. Ringo finished his first recorded Beatles song, "Don't Pass Me By", there. He left after 10 days because of allergies to the local food.
Relationships within the Beatles became difficult during the White Album recordings. Ringo grew tired of Paul McCartney's bossy attitude and John Lennon's behavior. He also disliked Yoko Ono being constantly present. After a tough session where McCartney criticized his drumming, Ringo briefly left the band. He went on holiday to Sardinia. While there, a conversation about an octopus inspired his song "Octopus's Garden" for the Abbey Road album. Two weeks later, he returned to the studio. George Harrison had covered his drum kit with flowers to welcome him back.
The film Let It Be and its album further strained the band. On 20 August 1969, the Beatles met for the last time at Abbey Road Studios. A month later, Lennon told them he was leaving. The band's break-up became public when McCartney announced his departure on 10 April 1970.
Solo Career Highlights
1970s Success
Before McCartney announced his exit, he and Ringo had an argument. McCartney refused to delay his solo album for Ringo's debut, Sentimental Journey. Ringo's album, with classic songs, reached number seven in the UK. He followed it with the country-style album Beaucoups of Blues.
Ringo played drums on solo albums for John Lennon and George Harrison. In 1971, he helped Harrison organize the Concert for Bangladesh. He also co-wrote the hit song "It Don't Come Easy" with Harrison. In 1972, Ringo released his successful UK hit, "Back Off Boogaloo". He also directed the T. Rex documentary Born to Boogie.
In 1973 and 1974, Ringo had two number one hits in the US: "Photograph" (co-written with Harrison) and "You're Sixteen". Both songs were on his rock album, Ringo. This album was a big success and featured songs from Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison.
His next album, Goodnight Vienna (1974), was also popular. It included a cover of "Only You (And You Alone)" and "No No Song". Ringo founded the record label Ring O' Records in 1975. He also ran a furniture design company called ROR with Robin Cruikshank.
In 1976, Ringo released Ringo's Rotogravure. It featured songs by Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison. The album did not do well in the UK but had some minor hits in the US. His next albums, Ringo the 4th (1977) and Bad Boy (1978), were less successful.
In April 1979, Ringo became very ill with intestinal problems. He almost died and needed surgery. In November, a fire destroyed his Hollywood home.
1980s and Beyond
On 19 May 1980, Ringo and Barbara Bach survived a car crash. After John Lennon's death in December 1980, George Harrison changed a song he wrote for Ringo, "All Those Years Ago", as a tribute to Lennon. Ringo played drums on this song, which was a hit. In 1981, Ringo released Stop and Smell the Roses. Lennon had offered two songs for the album, but Ringo didn't feel comfortable recording them after Lennon's death.
Ringo's later recording projects faced challenges. He couldn't find a record company to release his 1982 album Old Wave in the UK or US. He also stopped recording a country album in 1987. Ringo narrated the children's TV series Thomas & Friends from 1984–86. He also played Mr. Conductor in the American spin-off, Shining Time Station, in 1989.
In 1985, Ringo performed with his son Zak on the protest song "Sun City". He also played drums on George Harrison's song "When We Was Fab" in 1987. In January 1988, Ringo accepted the Beatles' induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
On 23 July 1989, Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band played their first show in Dallas, Texas. This band featured Ringo and other famous musicians. They would play Ringo's songs and the other artists' hits.
1990s and New Music
The first All-Starr tour led to the live album Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band (1990). In 1990, Ringo recorded "I Call Your Name" for a TV special honoring John Lennon.
In 1991, Ringo appeared on The Simpsons and contributed a song to the film Curly Sue. In 1992, he released Time Takes Time, his first studio album in nine years. It featured guest stars like Brian Wilson. The album was not a big commercial success.
In 1994, Ringo worked with the other surviving Beatles on Beatles Anthology. They recorded two new Beatles songs using old tapes of John Lennon's voice. "Free as a Bird" was released in 1995, and "Real Love" in 1996. The reunion ended when Harrison didn't want to finish a third song. Ringo then played drums on McCartney's 1997 album Flaming Pie.
In 1998, Ringo released Vertical Man. This album started a long partnership with producer Mark Hudson. Many famous guests, including McCartney and Harrison, played on the album. Ringo also released VH1 Storytellers, a live album where he shared stories about his songs. His 1999 Christmas album, I Wanna Be Santa Claus, was not a commercial success.
2000s and Recent Work
Ringo was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame in 2002. On 29 November 2002, he performed at the Concert for George, a tribute to George Harrison. In 2003, he released Ringo Rama, which included a song for Harrison, "Never Without You". He also formed Pumkinhead Records.
Ringo was an honorary Santa Tracker for NORAD's Santa tracking program in 2003 and 2004.
His 2005 album Choose Love did not chart in the UK or US. That same year, Liverpool's City Council planned to tear down Ringo's birthplace. They later decided to preserve it brick by brick.
Ringo released Liverpool 8 in January 2008. He performed the title song at the opening ceremony for Liverpool's year as the European Capital of Culture. In April 2009, he reunited with McCartney at a concert in New York. Ringo also appeared with Yoko Ono and McCartney to promote The Beatles: Rock Band video game.
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In 2010, Ringo released his album Y Not, which included a song with McCartney. On 7 July 2010, he celebrated his 70th birthday with an All-Starr Band concert. In 2012, he released Ringo 2012. He announced a tour of the Pacific Rim for 2013, his first time performing in New Zealand and Australia.
In January 2014, Ringo joined McCartney for a special performance at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. That summer, he toured Canada and the US. In September 2014, he won an award for his humanitarian work.
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In January 2015, Ringo announced his new album Postcards from Paradise. It was released before his solo induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In July 2017, he released the single "Give More Love" and his nineteenth album, also titled Give More Love. McCartney and other friends appeared on the album.
On 13 September 2019, Ringo announced his 20th album, What's My Name. He recorded it in his home studio in Los Angeles.
In July 2020, Ringo organized a live-streamed concert for his 80th birthday. It featured many friends like McCartney and Dave Grohl. This replaced his usual public birthday celebration due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 16 December 2020, Ringo released "Here's to the Nights". This song about peace and friendship featured McCartney and other artists. It was the lead single from his EP Zoom In, released in March 2021. Ringo said he prefers releasing EPs instead of full albums now. He released another EP, Change the World, in September 2021.
In February 2022, Ringo announced he would tour again. Some concerts were postponed because band members got COVID-19. Ringo himself tested positive for COVID-19 in October 2022, leading to more cancellations.
On 16 September 2022, Ringo released the EP EP3. He announced more US tours for 2023. Another EP, Rewind Forward, was released in October. Crooked Boy was released in 2024. A country album, Look Up, is planned for January 2025.
Artistic Style
Musical Influences
When he was young, Ringo loved skiffle and blues music. By the time he joined the Texans in 1958, he preferred rock and roll. He was also influenced by country artists like Hank Williams and jazz artists. Ringo said he wasn't "really into drummers" but bought Cozy Cole's drum record "Topsy Part Two".
His first musical hero was Gene Autry. By the early 1960s, he was a big fan of Lee Dorsey. In 1964, Ringo said, "Our music is second-hand versions of negro music ... Ninety per cent of the music I like is coloured."
Drumming Style
Ringo described his drumming: "I'm no good on the technical things ... I'm your basic offbeat drummer with funny fills ... because I'm really left-handed playing a right-handed kit." Beatles producer George Martin said Ringo "hit good and hard" and had "tremendous feel." Ringo believed his role was to be the "foundation" of the song.
In 2011, Rolling Stone readers voted Ringo the fifth-greatest drummer ever. Many drummers say Ringo inspired them. Ringo's favorite drummer is Jim Keltner, with whom he has played many times. Ringo is known for sitting higher on his drum kit than most drummers. This helps him reach the tom-toms and cymbals better.
Genesis drummer Phil Collins said Ringo is "vastly underrated." He praised Ringo's drum fills on "A Day in the Life" as very complex. Collins said his drumming on the 1983 Genesis song "That's All" was inspired by Ringo.
A common joke is that John Lennon said Ringo "wasn't even the best drummer in the Beatles." This line actually came from a radio comedy show in 1981. It became more famous when a comedian used it in 1983.
Tjinder Singh of the band Cornershop called Ringo a "pioneering drummer." He said Ringo is "totally unique, a one-off." In his book, Mark Lewisohn noted that Ringo rarely made mistakes that stopped recording sessions. Ringo influenced modern drumming techniques like the matched grip and tuning drums lower.
In 2021, Ringo announced a MasterClass course called "Drumming and Creative Collaboration."
Singing and Songwriting
Ringo sang lead vocals on one song for most Beatles albums. John Lennon or Paul McCartney often wrote songs specifically for his voice. These included "Yellow Submarine" and "With a Little Help from My Friends." Ringo has a distinctive baritone voice. He rarely sang backing vocals with the Beatles. He also sang lead on his own songs, "Don't Pass Me By" and "Octopus's Garden."
Ringo's unique phrases, called "Ringoisms," became song titles for the Beatles. Examples include "a hard day's night" and "tomorrow never knows". McCartney said Ringo's phrases were "wonderful, very lyrical." Ringo also added lyrics to some Lennon–McCartney songs.
Ringo is credited as the only writer for two Beatles songs: "Don't Pass Me By" and "Octopus's Garden". George Harrison helped him with "Octopus's Garden." Ringo also co-wrote "What Goes On", "Flying", and "Dig It".
In 2003, Ringo said he was good at writing two verses and a chorus, but finishing songs was not his strength. George Harrison helped him finish "It Don't Come Easy" and "Back Off Boogaloo". Harrison only took credit for "Photograph", which they wrote together. Starting with the Ringo album in 1973, Ringo often wrote songs with Vini Poncia.
Personal Life
Ringo Starr met hairdresser Maureen Cox in 1962. They married on 11 February 1965. His stepfather and fellow Beatles George Harrison and John Lennon were witnesses. Beatles manager Brian Epstein was the best man. They had three children: Zak (born 1965), Jason (born 1967), and Lee (born 1970). In 1971, Ringo bought John Lennon's home, Tittenhurst Park, and moved his family there. Maureen died from leukaemia in December 1994.
In 1985, Ringo became a grandfather when Zak's daughter Tatia was born. Zak is also a drummer and has played with his father's All-Starr Band. Ringo has eight grandchildren. In 2016, he became a great-grandfather.
Ringo met actress Barbara Bach in 1980 while filming Caveman. They married on 27 April 1981. Ringo and Barbara divide their time between homes in Cranleigh in Surrey, Los Angeles, and Monte Carlo. In 2012, he was estimated to be the wealthiest drummer in the world. In 2014, Ringo sold his Surrey estate. He still owns a property in Chelsea, London.
In December 2015, Ringo and Barbara auctioned some of their personal items. This included Ringo's first drum kit and instruments given to him by other Beatles. The auction raised over $9 million, with some money going to their charity, the Lotus Foundation.
In 2016, Ringo supported the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union. He said he wanted Britain to be "in control of your country."
Ringo is a vegetarian. He meditates every day. His famous phrase and motto is "peace and love."
Awards and Recognition
Ringo and the other Beatles were made Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1965. They received their awards from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. They were also nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Newcomer for A Hard Day's Night. In 1971, the Beatles won an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score for Let It Be.
The minor planet 4150 Starr, discovered in 1984, was named in Ringo's honor. Ringo was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in 1989 for his role as Mr. Conductor on Shining Time Station.
In 2015, Ringo became the last Beatle to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist. He was inducted in the "Musical Excellence" category. In 2008, Ringo accepted a Diamond Award for the Beatles at the World Music Awards. On 8 February 2010, he received the 2,401st star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His star is in front of the Capitol Records building, near the stars for Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison.
Ringo was appointed a Knight Bachelor in 2018 for his services to music. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge knighted him at Buckingham Palace on 20 March 2018.
In 2022, Ringo received an honorary Doctor of Music degree from the Berklee College of Music. This recognized his huge impact on music, film, and TV.
Film Roles
Ringo has received praise for his acting. Director Walter Shenson called him "a superb actor, an absolute natural." Besides the Beatles' films like A Hard Day's Night (1964) and Help! (1965), Ringo also acted in many other movies. These include Candy (1968), The Magic Christian (1969), Blindman (1971), and Caveman (1981).
In 1971, he played Larry the Dwarf in Frank Zappa's 200 Motels. He was also in Harry Nilsson's animated film The Point!. Ringo co-starred in That'll Be the Day (1973) and appeared in the documentary The Last Waltz.
Ringo played the Pope in Ken Russell's Lisztomania (1975). He also played a fictional version of himself in McCartney's Give My Regards to Broad Street in 1984. In the 1978 TV film Ringo, he played himself and an alter-ego. Ringo also appeared in interviews for the 1979 Who documentary The Kids Are Alright.
Discography
Since the Beatles broke up, Ringo Starr has released many solo studio albums:
- Sentimental Journey (1970)
- Beaucoups of Blues (1970)
- Ringo (1973)
- Goodnight Vienna (1974)
- Ringo's Rotogravure (1976)
- Ringo the 4th (1977)
- Bad Boy (1978)
- Stop and Smell the Roses (1981)
- Old Wave (1983)
- Time Takes Time (1992)
- Vertical Man (1998)
- I Wanna Be Santa Claus (1999)
- Ringo Rama (2003)
- Choose Love (2005)
- Liverpool 8 (2008)
- Y Not (2010)
- Ringo 2012 (2012)
- Postcards from Paradise (2015)
- Give More Love (2017)
- What's My Name (2019)
- Look Up (2025)
Images for kids
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RINGO Starr & Director Ken Russell
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See also
In Spanish: Ringo Starr para niños
- Outline of the Beatles
- The Beatles timeline
