Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr, born Richard Starkey, is an internationally recognized English musician, singer, songwriter, and actor who achieved worldwide fame as the drummer for the Beatles. With a rich career spanning more than six decades, Starr’s distinctive drumming style has left an indelible impact on the world of music, while his acting pursuits brought a unique flair to the silver screen.
Starr’s music career took off in the early 1960s when he joined the Beatles, contributing to the band’s monumental success with his innovative drumming and charismatic persona. Apart from his percussive prowess, Starr occasionally took the lead on Beatles’ songs like “With a Little Help from My Friends,” “Yellow Submarine,” and “Octopus’s Garden,” each of which became a staple in the band’s discography. Following the Beatles’ disbandment in 1970, Starr embarked on a successful solo career. His albums such as “Ringo” and “Goodnight Vienna” were met with considerable acclaim, featuring hit singles like “Photograph” and “You’re Sixteen.” In the realm of acting, Starr starred in numerous films including the Beatles’ own “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Help!” He also enjoyed success in the children’s television series “Thomas & Friends.”
Throughout his illustrious career, Starr has worked with an array of notable personalities in the music and film industry. Collaborations with his former Beatles bandmates Paul McCartney and George Harrison on his solo records were instrumental in shaping his post-Beatles career. Other distinguished musicians such as Elton John, Harry Nilsson, and Peter Frampton have contributed to Starr’s solo efforts. Starr’s All-Starr Band, formed in 1989, included artists like Joe Walsh, Steve Lukather, and Todd Rundgren. In the world of cinema, Starr shared screen space with influential figures like Peter Sellers in “The Magic Christian” and David Bowie in “Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.”
Ringo Starr’s significant contributions to music and film have been recognized with numerous honors and distinctions. In 1988, as a member of the Beatles, Starr was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Later, in 2015, he was inducted again for his solo career, becoming one of the few artists to receive this honor twice. He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010, further cementing his place in the annals of entertainment history. Starr’s commitment to peace and love was acknowledged in 2018 when he was knighted by Prince William, recognizing his services to music.
Beyond his career in entertainment, Starr has shown a notable interest in the well-being of animals. He and his wife Barbara Bach are patrons of the Rory the Tiger Club, an organization devoted to the preservation of endangered tigers. Starr’s commitment to animal welfare is also evident in his vegetarian lifestyle, a choice he made in the late 1970s. He once noted that he loves “broccoli with everything and blueberries for dessert,” highlighting his embrace of a diet devoid of animal products. Ringo’s love for animals extends to his companions at home as well, with the Starkeys known to have shared their residence with several cats over the years.