“Ultimately what’s most impressive about Ringo Starr isn’t what he’s beenbut rather who he is,” wrote Rolling Stone rock critic David Wild. “The man’s great heart and soulhis wit and wisdom.” Indeedhis music has always emanated from his warmthhumorand exceptional skillmanifesting in songs we know and love: With A Little Help From My FriendsDon’t Pass Me ByOctopus’ GardenPhotographIt Don’t Come EasyBack Off Boogaloo, You’re Sixteen (You’re Beautiful and You’re Mine), Don’t Go Where the Road Don’t Go, The No No Songand Never Without You, to name a few. Since beginning his career with The Beatles in the 1960sRingo has been one of the world’s brightest musical luminaries. He has enjoyed a successfuldynamic solo career as a singersongwriterdrummercollaboratorand producer – releasing 18 solo studio albums to date. He is also an acclaimed actor appearing in over 15 films. Drawing inspiration from classic bluessoulcountryhonky-tonk and rock ‘n’ rollhe continues to play an important recordingtouringand unofficial mentoring role in modern music.
Born Richard Starkey on July 71940 “at a very young age” he knew from very early on what he wanted to do. “When I was 13I only wanted to be a drummer,” remembers Ringo. Four years laterhe joined the Eddie Clayton Skiffle Bandand in 1959 hooked up with the Raving Texanswho later became Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. Just three years after thatRingo was asked to join The Beatles. Worried that he might cost the Hurricanes a summer-long residency if he lefthe delayed his departure until they could find a replacement. On August 181962Ringo Starr officially joined Paul McCartneyJohn Lennonand George Harrison in what would become one of the most important popular music acts of all timeor as Ringo says“the biggest band in the land.”
In 1970EMI released Ringo’s first solo album, Sentimental Journey. It was exactly that: a record of the music he’d grown up with and which remained close to his heart. (He later said“I did it for my Mum.”) Ringo followed up a year later with Beaucoups Of Bluesa country and western album recorded in Nashville with Pete Drake in just two days. That same yearThe Beatles disbanded.
But Ringo’s passion for creating music continued to propel him and those around him forward. In 1971he began his unprecedented run as the first solo Beatle to score seven consecutive Top 10 singlesstarting with “It Don’t Come Easy.” His second hit single“Back Off Boogaloo” followed in 1972and was written with and inspired by T. Rex frontman Marc Bolan. Ringo released his eponymous smash hit album in 1973. It yielded three Top 10 singlesincluding the #1 hits “Photograph” and “You’re Sixteen (You’re Beautiful And You’re Mine). The album Ringo also marked the first time since The Beatles’ break-up that all 4 band members participated in the same project (though not at the same time).
The 1970’s also saw Ringo expand on his film careerwhich began in the 1960’s with The Beatles films, Hard Days Night in 1964, Help! In1965 followed by Magical Mystery Tour in 1967. In 1968 he starred in Candy and in 1969 he co-starred opposite friend Peter Sellers in the critically acclaimed Magic Christian. In 1970 the documentary Let It Be was releasedand in 1971 Ringo starred in Blindman. In 1974 he joined his best friend Harry Nilsson in The Son of Dracula, narrated Harry’s animated film The Point and appeared in Frank Zappa’s 200 Motels. In 1973 he co-starred as a Teddy Boy in That’ll Be The Dayin 1975 in Ken Russell’s Lisztomania and in 1976 joined The Band for their legendary final concert filmed by Martin Scorcese, The Last Waltz.
Between 1974 and 1978Ringo released such hits as the Top 10 singles “Only You (And You Alone)” and “The No No Song,” and the albums Goodnight Vienna (1974), Blast From Your Past (1975), Rotogravure (1976), Ringo The 4th (1977)and Bad Boy (1978)which was complemented by a television special, Ognir Ratswith Art CarneyAngie DickinsonCarrie Fisher and Vincent Price. In 1979 he appeared in the documentary on The Who, The Kids Are All Right and in 1981 Ringo starred in Caveman, where he met and soon married his beautiful co-star Barbara Bach. “I fell in love with her the moment I saw her getting on the planeand I’ve been blessed that she has loved me since.” That same year he recorded Stop and Smell the Roseshis most critically acclaimed record since Ringofollowed two years later by Old Wavefor which he teamed up with producer Joe Walsh of The Eagles. In 1984 he appeared in Paul McCartney’s film Give My Regards To Broadstreet. A hits collection, Starr Struck: The Best Of Ringo StarrVol. 2was released in 1989.
In 1989 Ringo assembled his first All Starr Band and he found consistent success as a live act with his revolving All Starrs. “I got asked if I’d be interested in putting a band together,” Ringo would later recount. “I had been thinking the same thingand so I went through my phone bookrang up a few friends and asked them if they’d like to have fun in the summer.” Those friends included Joe WalshE-Streeters Clarence Clemmons and Nils Lofgrenformer Band members Rick Danko and Levon HelmDr. JohnBilly Prestonand Jim Keltner. The tour met with great successyielding his first live album, Ringo and His All Starr Bandin 1990. “I’ve said this over and over again,” Ringo remarked“but I love being in a band.”
The 1990s saw some of the best records of Ringo’s career. In 1992he released Time Takes Timewhich The New York Times hailed as “Starr’s best: more consistently pleasing than Ringoit shows him as an assured performer and songwriter.” Later that yearRingo put together his second All Starr Bandfeaturing Zak Starkey (his son)Burton CummingsDave EdmundsNils LofgrenTodd RundgrenTimothy B Schmidtand Joe Walsh. It marked the first time Ringo had toured Europe since his Beatles days. The band’s second incarnation also yielded a new concert album, Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band – Live From Montreaux. The third All Starr Band toured the U.S. and Japan in 1995again featuring Zak Starkeyas well as John EntwistleFelix CavaliereMark FarnerBilly PrestonMark Rivera and Randy Bachman; Ringo Starr and His Third All Starr BandVol. 1 was release in 1997. The fourth band — with Gary BrookerJack BrucePeter FramptonSimon Kirke and Mark Rivera — toured the U.S. and Europeand with them Ringo became the first former Beatle to play in Russia.
1998 brought the release of Vertical Manrecorded with Mark Hudsonand the first collaboration between Ringo and “the Roundheads.” It was one of his strongest recordsdue largely to his deep involvement as drummersingerco-writerand co-producer. He followed with an appearance at NYC’s Bottom Line and on VH1’s “Storytellers.” 1999 began with the creation of the 5th All Starr Bandconsisting of Gary BrookerJack BruceTimmy CappelloSimon Kirke and Todd Rundgren. In October that yearStarr released the irrepressibly festive holiday album I Wanna Be Santa Clausmixing classics like “The Little Drummer Boy” with originals like the title track. The 6th All Starr Band was launched in 2000 and featured Jack BruceEric CarmenDave EdmundsSimon Kirke and Mark Rivera touring the U.S. together. The following springRingo put together the 7th bandincluding the first female All StarrSheila Eas well as Greg LakeRoger HodgsonIan HunterHoward Jones and Mark Rivera. He celebrated more than a decade of All Starr tours with the release of Ringo and His All Starr Band: The AnthologySo Far.
In 2003The Roundheads launched the release of Ringo Rama with another impromptu Bottom Line performance. 2003’s 8th group of All Starrs — Paul CarrackSheila E.Colin HayMark Rivera and John Waite — hit the roadtheir tour resulting in another live album, Ringo Starr and His All Star Band: Tour 2003 and DVD. “If you look at all the bands I’ve put togetherit’s an incredible array of musiciansall these different people,” Ringo said of the All Starr experience. “Everyone has hit recordshit songs. The show consists of me up front and then I go back behind the kit and support the others. It’s just good music and I’m having a lot of fun and that’s what it’s all about – great music and fun.”
Genesis Publications printed a limited edition 2004 run of Ringo’s book, Postcards From The Boysthe proceeds of which went to the Lotus Foundation charity. He described it as “a presentation of postcards JohnPaul and George have sent me over the years. What’s incredible about them is that some are actual art pieces.” His Choose Love albumfull of inspired songs of innocence and experiencewas released in 2005. Two years laterCapitol/EMI Music Catalog Marketing released the first-ever career and label-spanning collection of Ringo’s best solo recordings, PHOTOGRAPH: The Very Best Of Ringo Starrfeaturing 20 standout tracks released between 1970 and 2005.
Ringo released Liverpool 8his first new album with Capitol/EMI since 1974’s Goodnight Viennain 2008. He co-wrote its 12 original tracksrecording them in the UK and Californiaand the title track became the first in a series of autobiographical songs. That summerhe toured with his 10th All Starr Band — Gregg BissonetteColin HayBilly SquierHamish StuartEdgar Winterand Gary Wrightacross the U.S. and Canadawinding up at The Greek Theater in Los Angeles with a show recorded and later released as a live DVD by UMe. That summer also launched a tradition of celebrating his birthdayJuly 7in and with the public and a global call to action for to saythink or do “Peace & Love” at Noon your local timethe birthday wish being a moment of “Peace & Love” would spread around the world. The first event occurred outside the Hard Rock Café in Chicago.
Y NOTthe first album Ringo himself producedcame out in 2010showcasing collaborations with old and new friendsPaul McCartney among them. Their duet and the album’s stunning first single“Walk With You,” served as a moving tribute to the power of friendship. Ben Harper also sang on the albumhis band supporting Ringo on a promotional tour for the release. Ringo received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame and launched a tour with his 11th All Starr Band: Gregg BissonetteRick DerringerWally PalmerRichard PageEdgar Winterand Gary Wright. Over the following yearthe band would tour the USCanadaEurope and Latin America. On July 72010 Ringo celebrated another “Peace & Love” birthday with familyfriends and thousands gathered outside the Hard Rock Café in Times SquareNew York City. The following yearwhile on tour with All StarrsRingo held a “Peace & Love” birthday event outside the Hard Rock Café in Hamburg Germany.
Ringo 2012again produced by its namesakefeatured 9 tracksincluding new versions of “Wings,” and “Step Lightly.” In June that yearRingo assembled His 12th All Starr Band — Gregg BissonetteRichard PageSteve LukatherMark RiveraGregg Rolie and Todd Rundgren — who wouldby 2013tour through the U.S.CanadaNew ZealandAustraliaJapanMexicoand South America. The live DVD Ringo at the Ryman was recorded with this band as wellon Ringo’s birthdayJuly 72012. Earlier they all convened for a moment of “Peace & Love” in front of the Hard Rock Café Nashville.
In June 2013The GRAMMY Museum opened “Ringo: Peace & Love,” a record-breaking undertaking that drew more than 120,000 visitors and was the first major exhibit to focus on a drummer. In September 2013 Ringo was awarded the prestigious French Medal of Honorbeing appointed Commander of Arts & Letters in recognition of his musical and artistic contributions.
December 2013 saw the publication of Photographa limited edition collection of never-before-seen materialincluding Ringo’s photos and exclusive images from his own personal archiveswas published that December. It featured over 300 photos and 15,000 words of text.
On January 202014 Ringo Starr’s musical legacy was celebrated when The David Lynch Foundation honored him with the ‘Lifetime of Peace & Love Award’. The event included star-studded tributes to Ringo’s extensive catalog that was broadcast on AXS July 132014. Participating artists included Joe WalshBen HarperBen Folds, Brendan BensonBettye LaVetteThe Head & The Heart and Jesse Elliot and Lindsey McWilliams of Ark Lifewith an equally stellar backing band featuring Don WasBenmont TenchPeter FramptonSteve Lukather and Kenny Arnoff.
January 262014 saw Ringo perform his song “Photograph” on the GRAMMYSfollowed by him jumping on the kit during his old band matePaul McCartney’s performance. Ringo and Paul then performed together again the following eveningthis time playing several songs for the Emmy Award-nominated taping of CBS’ “The BeatlesA Grammy Salute; The Night That Changed America,” celebrating the 50th Anniversary of their first U.S. visit and appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. It was broadcast on the exact anniversaryFebruary 9and aired again February 12. It has also been broadcast internationally.
In February 2014Simon & Shuster published “Octopus’s Garden”a children’s book based on Ringo’s lyrics. That summer Ringo took the 12th All Starr Band back out on the roadadding another leg in October 2014. “I just love this band and I’m doing anything to keep it together – we keep looking for places we haven’t played yet and we’ll end up playing clubs,” Ringo joked with reporters when the band launched the summer dates in June 2014.
In July 72014 Ringo celebrated his birthday with his traditional Peace & Love event at Capitol Records in LAthis time joined by John Varvatos who revealed Ringo would be the model for his 2014 Fall Fashion Advertising campaigncoupled with a social media initiative#PeaceRocks that raised funds and awareness for the David Lynch Foundation via The Ringo Starr Peace & Love Fund. “I’ve waited a long time to become a male model,” Ringo said with a laugh“and what a great way to do it – all for a good cause.
In March 2015 Ringo released “Postcards From Paradise” (UMe) featuring 11 original tracks and his very first single written and recorded with his All Starr Band“Island In the Sun”. “I have tried for 25 years from the first All-Starr band to get us to write songs and record. It’s just something that I’ve wanted to do,” Ringo explained. “the song started as a jam at a soundcheck. We all wrote it and we all played on itand it’s the first time ever!”
In April 2015 he was inducted by Paul McCartney into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist for Musical Excellenceperforming his songs with PaulJoe Walsh and Green Day. In July Ringo returned to Capitol Records for his 75th birthday joined by familyfriends and gathered fans for a special “Peace & Love” celebration. In September 2015 Ringo’s book Photograph was released worldwide in a mass hardcover editionand in October 2015 Ringo and the All Starrs went back out on the road performing 21 shows in 31 days throughout North America.
Throughout his career he has received 9 Grammyshas twice been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame first as a Beatle and then as solo artist. Between 1970 and 2015 Ringo has released 18 solo studio records. He has acted in over 15 filmsreceived an Academy Awardand was nominated as an actor for an Emmy. Ringo has published three books; had a stint as a male fashion model and that same year went behind the lens for the Foo Fighters PR shots.
For all his many creative successesRingo is and always will be first and foremost a musiciana drummer. Ringo’s candorwit and soul are the lifeblood of his music. As he sang on the autobiographical Liverpool 8“I always followed my heart and I never missed a beat.” Peace and love are his life’s rhythm and melodyand he propels this universal message in everything he does: his evocative artworkhis enthused live performanceshis legendary songsall imbued with the joyreflectionand wisdom of the music icon the world knows and loves simply as ‘Ringo.’