This past week, on July 7, 2025, the world celebrated a remarkable milestone: the 85th birthday of Ringo Starr. Known across generations as the cheerful, ever-steady drummer of The Beatles, Ringo’s life and career stretch far beyond his Fab Four fame. His journey is a testament to resilience, creativity, and an unyielding commitment to spreading peace and love.
Early Life: A Hard Road to Stardom
Born Richard Starkey in the working-class Dingle neighborhood of Liverpool in 1940, Ringo’s early life was marked by hardship. His parents separated when he was three, and his mother, Elsie, supported them by working as a barmaid.
Ringo was born in Liverpool in 1940
As a child, Ringo endured significant health challenges, including peritonitis that kept him in the hospital for nearly a year, and later tuberculosis, which confined him to a sanatorium. These long hospital stays meant he fell behind in school but discovered a love for music while recovering, often participating in hospital band performances.
By his teenage years, Liverpool’s skiffle craze—a mix of jazz, blues, and folk—was in full swing. Ringo received his first drum kit as a gift from his stepfather and quickly became immersed in the local music scene. In 1959, he joined Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, one of Liverpool’s top bands, adopting the stage name “Ringo Starr” to reflect both his penchant for wearing rings and his ambition to be a star. It was with Rory Storm that Ringo first visited Hamburg, Germany, honing his craft in the same gritty clubs where he’d soon cross paths with The Beatles.
Joining The Beatles: The Missing Piece
In August 1962, Ringo received a call that would change music history. The Beatles—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison—had parted ways with their drummer, Pete Best, and invited Ringo to join. His first official show with them was on August 18, 1962. Though some fans initially protested the change, it quickly became clear that Ringo was the perfect fit.
Being left-handed but playing a right-handed kit led Ringo to some unique drum parts
Ringo’s drumming style was distinctive. As a left-handed player on a right-handed kit, he naturally emphasized unique beats and fills. He brought a relaxed, swinging feel that underpinned The Beatles’ evolving sound. Songs like “She Loves You,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” and “A Hard Day’s Night” burst with his infectious energy. As the band’s music matured, so did Ringo’s contributions. His inventive playing on tracks such as “Rain,” “Tomorrow Never Knows,” and “Come Together” remains studied by drummers worldwide.
Beyond his musical skills, Ringo was loved for his personality. His quick wit, warmth, and unpretentious nature made him the band’s steadying force. While John and Paul drove the songwriting and George explored his spiritual path, Ringo often diffused tensions with humor. Fans adored his modesty and approachable charm.
The Voice of Joy
Though he rarely wrote songs for The Beatles, Ringo left his vocal mark on some of their most memorable tunes. His cheerful delivery turned “Yellow Submarine” into a children’s anthem, while “With a Little Help from My Friends” on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band became a defining singalong. His own composition “Octopus’s Garden,” from Abbey Road, captured his playful spirit and love for simple joys.
Sgt. Pepper wouldn't be the same without "...a Little Help from My Friends"
A Solo Career Full of Surprises
After The Beatles’ breakup in 1970, many wondered what was next for Ringo. Far from fading, he thrived as a solo artist. His early albums, including Sentimental Journey (a collection of standards dedicated to his mother) and Beaucoups of Blues (a foray into country), showed his willingness to explore different styles.
In 1973, Ringo hit his stride with the album Ringo, which featured contributions from all three of his former bandmates—one of the few post-Beatles projects to do so. It spawned hits like “Photograph” (co-written with George Harrison) and “You’re Sixteen,” both of which topped the charts. Throughout the 1970s, he continued releasing albums and scoring hits with songs such as “It Don’t Come Easy” and “Back Off Boogaloo.”
Ringo also dabbled in acting, appearing in films like Caveman (1981), where he met his second wife, actress Barbara Bach. Their marriage has been one of rock’s happiest, enduring for more than four decades.
Ringo's 1998 Vertical Man album was an all-star celebration
Many great guest artists were more than happy to appear on Ringo's albums. For example, his 11th solo album album Vertical Man from 1998 featured a kaleidoscope of top artists: Scott Weiland, Brian Wilson, Alanis Morissette, Ozzy Osbourne, Tom Petty, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, Steven Tyler, and his former Beatles bandmates Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
The All Starr Band and Spreading Peace and Love
In 1989, Ringo launched one of his most beloved ventures: the All Starr Band. This rotating supergroup features rock legends who each perform their own hits alongside Ringo’s.
Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band, 2023 edition
Over the years, members have included Randy Bachman, Clarence Clemons, John Entwistle, Peter Frampton, Colin Hay, Levon Helm, Roger Hodgson, Howard Jones, Nils Lofgren, Billy Preston, Todd Rundgren, Steve Lukather, Billy Squier, John Waite, Joe Walsh, Edgar Winter, Gary Wright, and many others. The All Starr tours are joyous celebrations of classic rock and camaraderie, with Ringo at the center, still flashing that famous grin behind his drum kit.
Ringo’s enduring motto, “peace and love,” isn’t just a slogan. Each year on his birthday, and as he did last week on his 85th, he encourages fans around the world to pause at noon and say “peace and love”—a global moment of positivity he started in 2008. He remains a tireless advocate for kindness, anti-violence efforts, and humanitarian causes.
Starr's own Vans shoe design he wore on his 75th birthday in 2015
A Lasting Legacy
Ringo Starr’s impact on music is immeasurable. As a drummer, he revolutionized rock by showing that feeling and songcraft matter more than flashy technique. Drummers from Phil Collins to Dave Grohl cite him as a key influence. His work laid the foundation for modern pop and rock drumming, emphasizing groove and taste over speed.
Beyond music, Ringo’s personal story is deeply inspiring. From a child facing health challenges in Liverpool to the most famous drummer in the world, his life embodies resilience and optimism. Unlike many rock icons, Ringo has navigated fame without bitterness, maintaining genuine gratitude and joy in sharing music.
Cheers to 85 Years of Ringo
As we celebrate Ringo Starr’s 85th birthday, we honor more than a Beatle. We salute a man who’s dedicated his life to making people smile, to keeping them dancing, and to reminding us of simple human values: peace, love, and laughter.
Here’s to you, Ringo—may your days continue to be filled with music, friendship, and that irresistible beat that’s kept the world in time for over six decades. Happy birthday!
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