Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr, born Richard Starkey on 7 July 1940 in Liverpool’s Dingle district, grew up in tough circumstances, raised by his mother after his father left when he was three. Long spells in hospital as a child, recovering from peritonitis and later tuberculosis, gave him plenty of time to discover music — drumming on biscuit tins and dreaming of playing for real.

In his teens he joined the skiffle craze, starting with The Eddie Clayton Skiffle Group before moving into rock ’n’ roll with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. His solid timing, easy swing and friendly nature soon made him one of Liverpool’s most in-demand drummers. In August 1962, The Beatles asked him to join, replacing Pete Best. His first gig with them was at the Horticultural Society Dance in Birkenhead, and not long after, he was in the studio recording Love Me Do.

With The Beatles, Ringo became more than just the guy at the back. His unflashy but inventive playing gave their songs a unique feel, from the syncopated groove of Ticket to Ride to the rolling looseness of Rain. Being a left-hander on a right-handed kit gave his fills a slightly offbeat charm, and his rock-solid timekeeping kept the band grounded while still breathing with human warmth. He adapted to whatever the band threw at him — tender and restrained on Something, wild and driving on Helter Skelter.

Away from the drums, Ringo’s personality shone. His humour, charm, and now-famous “Peace and Love” message have made him a goodwill ambassador to fans around the world. Every year on his birthday, he invites people everywhere to say “Peace and Love” at noon. His contributions to music have been recognised with two inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — as a Beatle and as a solo artist — and he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2018.

Today, Ringo continues to tour with his All Starr Band, spreading joy, positivity, and his timeless beat wherever he goes. As Paul McCartney once said, “Ringo was the best drummer in the world… for The Beatles,” and more than sixty years on, that truth still stands.