Happy Birthday Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr was born in Liverpool on 7 July 1940. His parents did not stay together for very long, which led to him adopting his stepfather’s surname of Starkey. Richard Starkey was encouraged by his stepfather to pursue and explore his musical dreams and talents, but as a child he was constantly hounded by illness. In later years, he would take his own food with him when on tour to foreign countries to keep his allergies under control. He joined the world famous band, The Beatles, in 1962. Now as he celebrates his 70th birthday, he has many memories and good times to look back on.

As a drummer, singer and songwriter, Ringo Starr, as he became known, contributed greatly to the success of the band, writing songs such as Octopus’ Garden and Don’t Pass Me By. His fame grew together with the other members of the band, who are seen as music icons today. Starr’s entry into the world of The Beatles began in 1961, when he sat in for their then drummer, Pete Best. He again took Best’s place for a performance on 5 February 1962, and on 16 August of the same year Pete Best was let go from The Beatles, allowing Ringo Starr to fill his shoes. Two days later he played with the band as a full fledged member, but had to endure abuse from Pete Best fans who were not happy with the change. But as time wore on, Ringo Starr was accepted and the band grew from strength to strength. The Beatles broke up on 10 April 1970, bringing the end to a marvelous era. Most of the members went out on their own and found success as solo artists. When looking at Ringo Starr, John Lennon had this to say about him: “Ringo was a star in his own right in Liverpool before we even met. He was a professional drummer who sang and performed and had Ringo Star-time and he was in one of the top groups in Britain but especially in Liverpool before we even had a drummer. So Ringo’s talent would have come out one way or the other as something or other. I don’t know what he would have ended up as, but whatever that spark is in Ringo that we all know but can’t put our finger on — whether it is acting, drumming or singing I don’t know – there is something in him that is projectable and he would have surfaced with or without The Beatles. Ringo is a damn good drummer.”

When the celebration plans for Ringo Starr’s birthday were announced, friends gathered to watch this amazing music legend blow out his candles. He has now joined the ranks of other musicians over 70, such as Tom Jones, Nancy Sinatra and Tina Turner.