Photo: RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Happy Birthday,Ringo Starr! The belovedBeatlesdrummer and actorturns 83 on July 7, 2023, and has quite the lifetime to look back on. Here, in honor of his latest milestone, take a look at his life in photos.
01of 14Ringo Starr’s Early YearsMichael Ochs Archives/GettyBorn in Liverpool, England, on July 7, 1940, Richard Starkey was the lone child of Richard Starkey and Elsie Gleave, who split when he was young. At 6 years old his appendix ruptured, leading to a year-long hospital stay. Years later, at 13, he was again hospitalized with tuberculosis, but discovered percussion through his therapy, regularly playing a small drum, LIFE reported in a biography of the star.“When I was 13, I only wanted to be a drummer,“Starr saidon his official website.
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Ringo Starr’s Early Years
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Born in Liverpool, England, on July 7, 1940, Richard Starkey was the lone child of Richard Starkey and Elsie Gleave, who split when he was young. At 6 years old his appendix ruptured, leading to a year-long hospital stay. Years later, at 13, he was again hospitalized with tuberculosis, but discovered percussion through his therapy, regularly playing a small drum, LIFE reported in a biography of the star.
“When I was 13, I only wanted to be a drummer,“Starr saidon his official website.
02of 14Ringo Starr in Rory Storm and the HurricanesKeystone-France/Gamma-Rapho via GettyAt 17, Starr joined the Eddie Clayton Skiffle Band, moving on to Rory Storm and the Hurricanes (pictured) two years after that.
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Ringo Starr in Rory Storm and the Hurricanes
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At 17, Starr joined the Eddie Clayton Skiffle Band, moving on to Rory Storm and the Hurricanes (pictured) two years after that.
03of 14Ringo Starr with The BeatlesMirrorpix via GettyIn 1962, Starr officially joined The Beatles after encountering the band on the Liverpool music circuit, ultimately taking the place of the group’s former drummer, Pete Best. He immediately hit the studio and tour circuit with Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison.“Thank God we came from Liverpool with our attitude,” Starr wrote in his 2022 book,Lifted: Fab Images and Memories in My Life With the Beatles From Across the Universe. “Somehow being exactly who we were got us everywhere we were going.“With the band, he won nineGrammy Awards.
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Ringo Starr with The Beatles
Mirrorpix via Getty
In 1962, Starr officially joined The Beatles after encountering the band on the Liverpool music circuit, ultimately taking the place of the group’s former drummer, Pete Best. He immediately hit the studio and tour circuit with Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison.
“Thank God we came from Liverpool with our attitude,” Starr wrote in his 2022 book,Lifted: Fab Images and Memories in My Life With the Beatles From Across the Universe. “Somehow being exactly who we were got us everywhere we were going.”
With the band, he won nineGrammy Awards.
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Ringo Starr in 1964.United Artists/Courtesy of Getty
The drummer also had a passion for acting; though all four Beatles appeared in a handful of films tied to their albums (likeA Hard Day’s Night, pictured) Starr appeared in a number of movies including 1968’sCandyand 1969’sMagic Christian.
05of 14Ringo Starr Goes SoloAlan Singer/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyLike his bandmates, Starr went off on his own after The Beatles parted ways, releasing 20 solo albums beginning in 1970.
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Ringo Starr Goes Solo
Alan Singer/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Like his bandmates, Starr went off on his own after The Beatles parted ways, releasing 20 solo albums beginning in 1970.
06of 14Ringo Star Is Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of FameEbet Roberts/RedfernsIn 1988, Starr joined Harrison, Yoko Ono and the late Lennon’s sons Julian and Sean for the Beatles' induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2015, he was inducted again, this time as a solo artist.
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Ringo Star Is Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
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In 1988, Starr joined Harrison, Yoko Ono and the late Lennon’s sons Julian and Sean for the Beatles' induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2015, he was inducted again, this time as a solo artist.
07of 14Ringo Starr and Maureen CoxKeystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via GettyStarr married hairdresser Maureen Cox in 1965. Together, they had three children, sons Zak and Jason and daughter Lee. Though they split in 1975 after his alleged infidelities, Starr was at his ex’s bedside when she died of leukemia in 1995.
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Ringo Starr and Maureen Cox
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Starr married hairdresser Maureen Cox in 1965. Together, they had three children, sons Zak and Jason and daughter Lee. Though they split in 1975 after his alleged infidelities, Starr was at his ex’s bedside when she died of leukemia in 1995.
08of 14Ringo Starr and Barbara BachGregg DeGuire/WireImageStarr met future wife Barbara Bach at LAX in 1980 ahead of making the movieCavemantogether; they wed in 1981. Years later they entered treatment together for alcohol addicition, spending five weeks getting sober.“Eight days in, I decided, ‘I’m here to get help because I know I’m sick,’ " Starr told PEOPLE in 1989. “I just did whatever they asked me and, thank god, it pulled me through.“As for the secret to their long-lasting relationship, “I love the man, and that’s it,” Bach told PEOPLE in 2015. “There’s no escape,” added Starr. “I think I love Barbara as much [today] as I did at LAX — and I’m beyond blessed that she loves me and we’re still together.”
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Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach
Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
Starr met future wife Barbara Bach at LAX in 1980 ahead of making the movieCavemantogether; they wed in 1981. Years later they entered treatment together for alcohol addicition, spending five weeks getting sober.
“Eight days in, I decided, ‘I’m here to get help because I know I’m sick,’ " Starr told PEOPLE in 1989. “I just did whatever they asked me and, thank god, it pulled me through.”
As for the secret to their long-lasting relationship, “I love the man, and that’s it,” Bach told PEOPLE in 2015. “There’s no escape,” added Starr. “I think I love Barbara as much [today] as I did at LAX — and I’m beyond blessed that she loves me and we’re still together.”
09of 14Ringo Starr on ‘Shining Time Station’Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty'‘It’s fabulous being 18 inches tall and working in a children’s fantasy world,” he told PEOPLE of his role as the Mr. Conductor onShining Time Stationin 1989.
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Ringo Starr on ‘Shining Time Station’
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
‘‘It’s fabulous being 18 inches tall and working in a children’s fantasy world,” he told PEOPLE of his role as the Mr. Conductor onShining Time Stationin 1989.
10of 14Ringo Starr and Son Zak StarkeyDave Benett/GettyStarr’s son Zak, now 57, followed in his dad’s footsteps, drumming for everyone from The Who and Oasis to his pop’s All-Starr Band. He also made Starr the first Beatle to becomeboth a grandfather and a great-grandfatherwith his expanding family.
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Ringo Starr and Son Zak Starkey
Dave Benett/Getty
Starr’s son Zak, now 57, followed in his dad’s footsteps, drumming for everyone from The Who and Oasis to his pop’s All-Starr Band. He also made Starr the first Beatle to becomeboth a grandfather and a great-grandfatherwith his expanding family.
11of 14Ringo Starr and the All-Starr BandKevin Winter/GettyTouring with his All-Starr Band — which has included myriad fellow rock stars — “is a joy for me,” Starr told PEOPLE in 1989, when the first iteration began. “I’m not just stuck behind the drums, I’m up there doing my boogie. We seem to have a sing-along every night. And there’s great camaraderie because we’re all working for each other — everyone gets the spotlight.”
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Ringo Starr and the All-Starr Band
Kevin Winter/Getty
Touring with his All-Starr Band — which has included myriad fellow rock stars — “is a joy for me,” Starr told PEOPLE in 1989, when the first iteration began. “I’m not just stuck behind the drums, I’m up there doing my boogie. We seem to have a sing-along every night. And there’s great camaraderie because we’re all working for each other — everyone gets the spotlight.”
12of 14Ringo Starr Is KnightedJOHN STILLWELL/AFP via GettyPrince Williamappointed Starr Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in March of 2018. Afterward, the drummer joked of the medal, “I’ll be wearing it at breakfast,” LIFE reported.
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Ringo Starr Is Knighted
JOHN STILLWELL/AFP via Getty
Prince Williamappointed Starr Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in March of 2018. Afterward, the drummer joked of the medal, “I’ll be wearing it at breakfast,” LIFE reported.
13of 14Ringo Starr and Paul McCartneyRingo Starr and Paul McCartney in 2009.Kevin Mazur/MPL/WireImageThough The Beatles didn’t necessarily part on amicable terms, McCartney and Starr remain close, having appeared on each other’s solo albums through the years and at various concert events. “We have dinner together, we hang,” Starr told PEOPLE in 2017. “We’re still pals.”
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Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney
Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney in 2009.Kevin Mazur/MPL/WireImage
Though The Beatles didn’t necessarily part on amicable terms, McCartney and Starr remain close, having appeared on each other’s solo albums through the years and at various concert events. “We have dinner together, we hang,” Starr told PEOPLE in 2017. “We’re still pals.”
14of 14Ringo Starr at 83Ringo Starr.RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC ImagesAt 83, Starr still tours and performs, attributing his health to clean eating and regular workouts. “To have that energy onstage,” he told PEOPLE in 2015, “you have to work at keeping it.“On his birthday, the musician and friends plan to gather in Los Angeles for his annual Peace & Love birthday event, and will send his message of “Peace and Love” from NASA’s Barstow, California, based station into the Deep Space Network so it can orbit Earth.
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Ringo Starr at 83
Ringo Starr.RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
At 83, Starr still tours and performs, attributing his health to clean eating and regular workouts. “To have that energy onstage,” he told PEOPLE in 2015, “you have to work at keeping it.”
On his birthday, the musician and friends plan to gather in Los Angeles for his annual Peace & Love birthday event, and will send his message of “Peace and Love” from NASA’s Barstow, California, based station into the Deep Space Network so it can orbit Earth.
source: people.com
