"Ringo Starr" was a natural stage name for a young man who'd grown up loving Western movies (he particularly admired Gene Autry, the "singing cowboy"). Considered moving to Texas, before joining The Beatles.
The Beatles had several drummers before Starr joined. Pete Best had been with them for two years, when he was fired after failing the band's audition for George Martin at EMI.
The Beatles were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame for their outstanding contribution to British music and integral part of British music culture. [11 November 2004]
Phil Collins states Ringo as his biggest influence as a drummer and songs such as "That's All" (by Genesis), "Thru' These Walls" and "We Said Hello Goodbye" deliberately copied Ringo's style of drumming.
A single of his, "The No-No Song", was a song against drug abuse. But in a darkly ironic note, the song was banned from several radio stations because of the drug references.
According to George Harrison, Starr unintentionally inspired a number of songs by his witty off-the-cuff remarks. For example, after a long session on The Beatles first film, he was heard to say, "It's been a hard day's night." That was approved by the studio as the title of the film and subsequently the song, "A Hard Day's Night". John Lennon affirmed this in his 1980 Playboy interview, mentioning that "Ringo-isms" had supplied the titles of "A Hard Day's Night" and "Tomorrow Never Knows".
Before becoming an official member of The Beatles in 1962, he played many gigs with them, guesting when Pete Best was not available. Also made one recording with them, backing a singer named Wally, before he joined.
Born and grew up in the Dingles section of Liverpool, England. Attended St. Silas School and Dingles Secondary Modern School.
Bought Tittenhurst Park estate from John Lennon (Lennon's last English home), when John and Yoko Ono decided to move to America; the deal came complete with Ascot Sound Studios, located on the grounds, and home of several albums ("Plastic Ono Band", "Imagine", and "Fly"). He renamed the facility Startling Studios. Judas Priest planned to record their "British Steel" album there, but preferred the acoustics of the house itself (which they had leased).
Drummer with The Beatles (1962-1970).
During April 1963 Ringo purchased a slightly used drum kit at "Drum City" a local outlet. In exchange for payment, Brian Epstein agreed to paste the distributor's "dropped T" logo as well as the manufacturer's name, "Ludwig " on the drum. The logo, the "large T" in Beatles, was adopted into their trade mark in 1969.
First of The Beatles to become a grandfather upon the birth of son Zak's daughter, Tatia Jayne Starkey. [1985]
Friends with Keith Moon. The two shared a house in California in the mid-1970s with John Lennon and Harry Nilsson, while they worked on each other's records.
Got his first set of drums as a present from his stepfather, who brought them back from London. Was able to turn professional with a £25 loan from his grandfather Starkey to make a deposit on a better drum set.
Got the last name "Starr" from his birth name, Starkey. He got "Ringo" because he liked to wear rings on all his fingers.
He and the Beatles were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 7080 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
He and the other Beatles were awarded MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1965 Queen's Birthday Honours List for their services to music. John Lennon returned his MBE in protest in 1969 for the Vietnam War. Paul McCartney was awarded Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire in the 1997 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to music.
He had three children with Maureen Starkey: Sons Zak Starkey (a featured drummer with The Who) and Jason (born August 19th 1967) and daughter Lee (born November 17th 1970).
He is a longtime fan of the comedy troupe Monty Python, and even appeared on an episode of "Monty Python's Flying Circus" (1969). .
He is a strict vegetarian, as is former bandmate Paul McCartney.