From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ringo Starr made an impact.
Ringo Starr, born Richard Starkey, is a celebrated English musician, songwriter, and actor, best known as the drummer for the Beatles. Achieving worldwide fame with the band, he provided distinctive drumming and occasional lead vocals. Notable lead vocals include songs like "Yellow Submarine" and "With a Little Help from My Friends". Starr also contributed to the Beatles' songwriting, composing "Don't Pass Me By" and "Octopus's Garden", and co-writing several other tracks.
In mid-1956, Harry Graves helped Ringo Starr secure a position as an apprentice machinist at Henry Hunt and Son. There, he befriended Roy Trafford and was introduced to skiffle music.
In 1957, Ringo Starr co-founded his first band, the Eddie Clayton Skiffle Group. The band secured local bookings before the skiffle trend declined due to the rise of American rock and roll.
On Christmas Day 1957, Harry Graves gave Ringo Starr a second-hand drum kit, marking a significant step in his musical development.
In 1958, Ringo Starr joined the Texans and developed a preference for rock and roll music.
In November 1959, Richard Starkey joined Al Caldwell's Texans, later known as Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, and adopted the stage name Ringo Starr.
In October 1960, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, including Ringo Starr, joined the Beatles at the Kaiserkeller in Hamburg, where Starr first met the band. On October 15, 1960, Starr drummed with John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison, recording with them for the first time backing Lu Walters on "Summertime".
In 1960, Ringo Starr was a member of Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, another Liverpool group, prior to joining The Beatles.
In January 1962, Ringo Starr briefly joined Tony Sheridan in Hamburg after leaving Rory Storm and the Hurricanes.
In August 1962, Ringo Starr accepted John Lennon's invitation to join The Beatles. On August 16, Pete Best was fired and on August 18, Ringo Starr first performed as a member of The Beatles.
In September 1962, Ringo Starr had his first recording session with The Beatles. On September 11, he was temporarily replaced by session drummer Andy White during the recording of "Love Me Do" and "P.S. I Love You".
By November 1962, Ringo Starr had gained acceptance from Beatles fans and started receiving as much fan mail as the other band members, securing his place in the band. He felt fortunate to be on the same wavelength as the others and was given a small percentage of Lennon and McCartney's publishing company, Northern Songs. His primary income came from a share of Beatles Ltd. Ringo commented that he was living in nightclubs for three years and partied non-stop.
In 1963, The Beatles' popularity rose in Britain. Their second single, "Please Please Me by The Beatles", entered the UK charts and their TV appearance on Thank Your Lucky Stars was successful, boosting sales and radio play. Beatlemania spread across the country.
In February 1964, The Beatles achieved international success after performing in New York City on The Ed Sullivan Show, reaching 73 million viewers. Starr noted that he went over well with the American audience. Several songs were inspired by him, including "I Want to Kiss Ringo Goodbye" by Penny Valentine and "Ringo for President" by Rolf Harris. Cher released her first single, "Ringo, I Love You" as Bonnie Joe Mason.
In 1964, "I love Ringo" lapel pins became the bestselling Beatles merchandise. The Ludwig logo on his drum kit gave the company publicity, making it the dominant drum manufacturer in North America for twenty years. The Beatles continued their "Starr Time" routine during live performances. In the Beatles' film debut, A Hard Day's Night, Starr received praise for his delivery of deadpan one-liners and his non-speaking scenes. The sequences without dialogue were arranged by director Richard Lester because Starr lacked sleep after drinking all night.
In 1964, Ringo Starr and the other Beatles were collectively nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Newcomer for their performances in the film A Hard Day's Night.
In 1964, Ringo Starr appeared in the film A Hard Day's Night.
On February 11, 1965, Ringo Starr married Maureen Cox. He received a death threat before a show in Montreal and positioned his cymbals defensively. He felt increasingly isolated from the band's musical activities, which were moving beyond traditional rock. He spent recording sessions playing cards with road managers while the others perfected tracks. A fan asked the Beatles to let Starr sing more, and he replied that he was happy with one track per album.
Following the release of the Beatles' second feature film, Help! in 1965, Starr won a Melody Maker poll against his fellow Beatles for his performance as the central character in the film.
In 1965, Ringo Starr and the other members of the Beatles were appointed Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Birthday Honours.
In August 1966, the Beatles released Revolver, which included "Yellow Submarine by The Beatles", their only British number-one single with Starr as the lead singer. Later that month, they gave their final concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco due to touring pressures. Starr moved to a larger estate called Sunny Heights in Weybridge, Surrey, and equipped it with luxuries but without a drum kit.
In August 1967, Brian Epstein's death left the Beatles without management. Soon after, the band began the film project Magical Mystery Tour. Starr's interest in photography led to him being billed as the Director of Photography for the movie.
For the Beatles' 1967 album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Starr sang lead vocals on "With a Little Help from My Friends by The Beatles". Despite the album's success, Starr felt increasingly alienated, feeling like a session musician. His inability to compose new material led to him adding minor percussion effects to songs. He worked on his guitar playing during his downtime.
In 1967, Ringo Starr appeared in the film Magical Mystery Tour.
In February 1968, Ringo Starr became the first Beatle to sing on another artist's show. He sang the Buck Owens hit "Act Naturally", and performed a duet with Cilla Black, "Do You Like Me Just a Little Bit?" on her BBC One television programme, Cilla.
In November 1968, Apple Records released The Beatles, known as the "White Album". The album was partly inspired by the band's interactions with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Starr completed his first recorded Beatles song, "Don't Pass Me By by The Beatles", in Rishikesh, India, but left after 10 days. His childhood health problems impacted his time in India, causing allergies and sensitivities to local food, so he took his own food with him.
On August 20, 1969, the Beatles gathered for the final time at Abbey Road Studios for a mixing session for "I Want You by The Beatles".
In 1969, Ringo Starr acted in the film The Magic Christian.
While promoting the Abbey Road album in 1969, George Harrison recognised Starr's lyrics to "Octopus's Garden" as an unwittingly profound message about finding inner peace.
On April 10, 1970, McCartney announced he was leaving The Beatles, making the band's break-up public knowledge.
Shortly before McCartney announced his exit from the Beatles in April 1970, he and Starr had a falling out. This was due to McCartney's refusal to cede the release date of his solo album to allow for Starr's debut, Sentimental Journey, and the Beatles' Let It Be. Starr's album peaked at number seven in the UK and number 22 in the US. Starr then released Beaucoups of Blues, which received favorable reviews but was a commercial failure. Starr combined his musical activities with acting.
In 1970, Ringo Starr appeared in the film Let It Be.
In 1970, Ringo Starr played drums on Lennon's John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and Ono's Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band, and on Harrison's All Things Must Pass.
In December 1995, "Free as a Bird" was the first new Beatles single since 1970.
In August 1971, Ringo Starr first played with Jim Keltner at the Concert for Bangladesh.
In 1971, Ringo Starr acted in Blindman and starred as Larry the Dwarf in Frank Zappa's 200 Motels and was featured in Harry Nilsson's animated film The Point!
In 1971, Ringo Starr participated in the Concert for Bangladesh, organised by Harrison, and with him co-wrote the hit single "It Don't Come Easy by Ringo Starr and George Harrison", which reached number four in both the US and the UK.
In 1971, The Beatles, including Ringo Starr, received an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score for the film Let It Be.
In 1972, Ringo Starr released his most successful UK hit, "Back Off Boogaloo by Ringo Starr", which peaked at number two. He also made his directorial debut with the T. Rex documentary Born to Boogie.
In 1973, Ringo Starr co-starred in That'll Be the Day as a Teddy Boy.
In 1973, Ringo Starr had a number one hit in the US with "Photograph by Ringo Starr and George Harrison", co-written with Harrison.
In 1973, Ringo Starr played drums on Harrison's Living in the Material World album.
In 1973, Ringo Starr released the album "Ringo", which achieved both commercial and critical success, reaching the top ten in both the UK and the US.
Starting with the Ringo album in 1973, Ringo Starr shared a songwriting partnership with Vini Poncia.
In February 1974, Ringo Starr's third million-selling single in the US, "You're Sixteen by Ringo Starr", was released in the UK, peaking at number four. Both "You're Sixteen by Ringo Starr" and "Photograph by Ringo Starr and George Harrison" appeared on Starr's debut rock album, Ringo.
In November 1974, a music video for "Snookeroo" and a promotional film for the Goodnight Vienna album were filmed on the rooftop of the Capitol Records Building in Los Angeles, designed to resemble a stack of discs. Lennon provided a voiceover as Starr's spacecraft landed on the building. Starr, Nilsson, and Keith Moon were among the cast, along with a forty-foot robot named 'Gort'.
In 1974, Ringo Starr acted in the film Son of Dracula.
In 1974, Ringo Starr played drums on Harrison's Dark Horse album.
Ringo Starr's single "Weight of the World" peaked at number 74 in the UK in 1992, marking his first appearance on the singles chart there since "Only You" in 1974.
In 1975, Ringo Starr founded the record label Ring O' Records.
In 1976, Ringo Starr appeared in The Last Waltz, the Martin Scorsese documentary about the Band's farewell concert.
In 1976, on Ringo's Rotogravure, Ringo Starr credited himself as 'Thunder' and Jim Keltner as 'Lightnin''.
In 1977, Ringo Starr released the album "Ringo the 4th", a blend of disco and 1970s pop, which failed to chart in the UK and peaked at number 162 in the US.
In 1978, Ringo Starr and Vini Poncia released just two more songs released on Bad Boy album.
Ring O' Records operated until 1978, signing eleven artists and releasing fifteen singles and five albums.
In 1979, Ringo Starr appeared in interview segments with Keith Moon for The Who's documentary film, The Kids Are Alright.
In 1981, Harrison released "All Those Years Ago" as a tribute to Lennon, featuring Starr's drum part and backing vocals by McCartney. Later that year, Starr released the album Stop and Smell the Roses.
In 1981, Ringo Starr acted in the film Caveman.
In 1982, Ringo Starr completed the album "Old Wave" with producer Joe Walsh but was unable to find a record company to release it in the UK or the US.
In 1983, Phil Collins said his drumming on the Genesis song 'That's All' was an affectionate attempt at a 'Ringo Starr drum part'.
In 1984, Ringo Starr appeared as a fictionalized version of himself in Paul McCartney's Give My Regards to Broad Street.
In 1984, Ringo Starr narrated the children's series Thomas & Friends.
In 1985, Ringo Starr performed with his son Zak as part of Artists United Against Apartheid on the protest song "Sun City", and was a special guest on Carl Perkins' TV special Blue Suede Shoes: A Rockabilly Session.
In 1986, Ringo Starr continued to narrate the children's series Thomas & Friends.
In 1987, Ringo Starr abandoned sessions in Memphis for a planned country album, produced by Chips Moman, after which Moman was blocked by a court injunction from issuing the recordings.
In 1987, Ringo Starr played drums on Harrison's Beatles pastiche "When We Was Fab" and appeared in Godley & Creme's video clip for the song. He also performed at London's Wembley Arena for the Prince's Trust charity.
For a single season in 1989, Ringo Starr portrayed the character Mr. Conductor in the American Thomas & Friends spin-off, Shining Time Station.
In 1989, Ringo Starr was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series for his role as Mr. Conductor in the television series Shining Time Station.
Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band started touring in 1989.
Since 1989, Ringo Starr has toured with thirteen variations of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band.
In 1990, Ringo Starr released Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band, a compilation of live performances from the 1989 tour. Also in 1990, Starr recorded a version of the song "I Call Your Name" for a television special marking the 10th anniversary of John Lennon's death.
In 1992, Ringo Starr released his first studio album in nine years, Time Takes Time. The album featured guest appearances by various stars including Brian Wilson and Harry Nilsson, although the album failed to achieve commercial success.
In 1994, Ringo Starr began a collaboration with the surviving former Beatles for The Beatles Anthology project, recording new songs and giving interviews.
In December 1995, The Beatles released "Free as a Bird", the first new Beatles single since 1970, as part of the Beatles Anthology project.
In March 1996, The Beatles released a second single, "Real Love", as part of the Beatles Anthology project.
In 1996 Ringo Starr made his last performance in Japan until 2013, after which he would tour the Pacific Rim with the All-Starr Band including a return to Japan
In 1997, Ringo Starr played drums on McCartney's album Flaming Pie, including the track "Really Love You", credited to McCartney-Starkey.
In 1998, Ringo Starr released two albums: the studio album Vertical Man and VH1 Storytellers, a live album from his appearance on the show of the same name.
In 1999, Ringo Starr released the Christmas-themed album I Wanna Be Santa Claus, which was a commercial failure.
In 1999, Ringo Starr was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to drumming.
On 29 November 2002 (the first anniversary of Harrison's death), Ringo Starr performed "Photograph" and a cover of Carl Perkins' "Honey Don't" at the Concert for George held in the Royal Albert Hall, London.
In 2003, Ringo Starr released the album Ringo Rama, which contained a song he co-wrote as a tribute to Harrison, "Never Without You". Also in 2003, he formed Pumkinhead Records with Mark Hudson.
In a 2003 interview, Ringo Starr discussed George Harrison's input in his songwriting and mentioned that Harrison helped him complete two of his biggest hit songs, "It Don't Come Easy" and "Back Off Boogaloo".
In 2005, Ringo Starr released the album Choose Love. Liverpool's City Council announced plans to demolish Starr's birthplace, but later decided to preserve it brick by brick.
In January 2008, Ringo Starr released the album Liverpool 8, coinciding with Liverpool's year as the European Capital of Culture. He performed the title track at the opening ceremony.
On November 9, 2008, Ringo Starr accepted a Diamond Award on behalf of the Beatles during the World Music Awards ceremony in Monaco.
In April 2009, Ringo Starr reunited with McCartney at the David Lynch Foundation's "Change Begins Within" benefit concert in New York, performing "With a Little Help from My Friends" together.
On February 8, 2010, Ringo Starr was honored with the 2,401st star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 1750 North Vine Street.
In July 2010, Ringo Starr celebrated his 70th birthday at Radio City Music Hall with an All-Starr Band concert. Friends and family, including Yoko Ono, his son Zak, and Paul McCartney, joined him on stage for the celebration.
In 2011, Ringo Starr recorded a cover of Buddy Holly's song "Think It Over" for the tribute album, Listen to Me: Buddy Holly.
In January 2012, Ringo Starr released his album 'Ringo 2012'.
In 2013, Ringo Starr announced that his All-Starr Band would tour the Pacific Rim, including dates in New Zealand, Australia, and Japan. This marked his first performance in Japan since 1996, and his debut in both New Zealand and Australia.
In January 2014, Ringo Starr joined Paul McCartney for a special performance at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, where they performed the song "Queenie Eye".
In September 2014, Ringo Starr won at the GQ Men of the Year Awards for his humanitarian work with the David Lynch Foundation.
In January 2015, Ringo Starr tweeted the title of his new studio album 'Postcards from Paradise'.
In March 2015, Ringo Starr's album 'Postcards from Paradise' was released to mixed to positive reviews, a few weeks in advance of his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In December 2015, Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach auctioned personal and professional items via Julien's Auctions in Los Angeles, including Starr's first Ludwig Black Oyster Pearl drum kit and a first-pressing copy of the Beatles' White Album numbered "0000001". The auction raised over $9 million, with a portion going to the Lotus Foundation.
In 2015, 27 years after his induction with the Beatles, Ringo Starr was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his solo career, in the "Musical Excellence" category.
In June 2016, full production began in Syracuse for Ringo Starr and his band's forthcoming Summer 2016 Tour of the US.
On July 7, 2017, Ringo Starr's 77th birthday, he released "Give More Love" as a single.
On March 20, 2018, Ringo Starr was knighted by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, at Buckingham Palace, receiving the title Knight Bachelor for his services to music.
On September 13, 2019, Ringo Starr announced the upcoming release of his 20th album, What's My Name, to be released by UM on 25 October 2019.
On October 25, 2019, Ringo Starr released his 20th album, What's My Name, under UM.
In 2019 Ringo Starr made his last tour performance until 2022, after which he announced the intention to return to touring with his band.
In July 2020, Ringo Starr organised a live-streamed concert in celebration of his 80th birthday, featuring appearances by many of his friends and collaborators, including Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh, Ben Harper, Dave Grohl, Sheryl Crow, Sheila E., and Willie Nelson. This replaced his annual public birthday celebration due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On December 16, 2020, Ringo Starr released the song "Here's to the Nights".
On March 16, 2021, Ringo Starr stated in an interview with Esquire that it was unlikely that he would record another full-length album, preferring to release EPs instead.
On March 19, 2021, Ringo Starr's EP 'Zoom In' was released via UMe.
In 2021, Ringo Starr announced a ten-part MasterClass course called "Drumming and Creative Collaboration".
On February 7, 2022, Ringo Starr announced his intention to return to touring with his band for the first time since 2019.
On September 16, 2022, Ringo Starr released the EP 'EP3'.
In 2022, Starr received an honorary Doctor of Music degree from the Berklee College of Music for his "immeasurable impact on music, film and television, and popular culture".
On January 12, 2023, Ringo Starr announced that he and the All-Starr Band would be touring in the US from May 19 to June 17.
In May 2023, a further series of tour dates was announced for Ringo Starr, from September 17 to October 13.
In 2024 Ringo Starr released the album Crooked Boy as a Record Store Day exclusive, with digital and physical releases on 26 April and 31 May, respectively.
On January 10, 2025, a country and roots album by Ringo Starr titled 'Look Up', produced by T Bone Burnett, was released.
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