Full Name:
Richard Starkey
Born:
July 7, 1940
Birthplace:
Liverpool, England
Ringo Starr Quote:
Upon arriving in the U.S. for the first time:
"So this is America. They must be out of their minds."
"So this is America. They must be out of their minds."
Significant Facts About RIngo Starr:
- Oldest Beatle and last to join the group, in 1962
- 20 studio and live albums since 1970
- Only ex-Beatle who is not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist (The Beatles were inducted in 1988)
- Left-handed drummer who uses a right-handed drum kit
Ringo Starr Before The Beatles:
Young Ritchie Starkey started his own group in 1957, moving on to The Raving Texans, where he adopted the name Ringo Starr. He met the Beatles in 1960 in Germany when he was touring with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. Two years later, the Beatles replaced their original drummer, Pete Best, with Starr. His style of drumming played a key role in the way the Beatles music developed, and helped redefine the role of the drummer in rock music.
Defining Ringo Starr's Role:
Former Journey drummer Steve Smith says, "One of Ringo's great qualities was that he composed unique, stylistic drum parts ... you can listen to a Ringo drum part without the rest of the music and still identify the song." Yet, Starr had only one drum solo -- "The End" on Abbey Road. He usually had a vocal solo, including "Yellow Submarine," "With A Little Help From My Friends" and "Good Night." Only a few songs written by Starr were recorded by the Beatles.
Ringo Starr Post-Beatles:
The Beatles broke up for good in April, 1970 and by the end of the year, Starr has released two solo albums. By 1973 he had become the most commercially successful of the ex-Beatles at that time. He appeared in several feature films, and has done TV commercials and voiceovers while continuing to record and tour, under the banner of the All Starr Band. His son, Zak Starkey, is drummer for groups like Oasis and The Who. Starr's trademark motto is "Peace and love."
Essential Ringo Starr CD:
Ringo
His third solo album, released in 1973, was his most famous, and is generally regarded as his best. It featured all of his former Beatles bandmates and a host of other prominent rockers.
His third solo album, released in 1973, was his most famous, and is generally regarded as his best. It featured all of his former Beatles bandmates and a host of other prominent rockers.
