Ringo Starr Keeps The Beat At 85

The Enduring Beat: Ringo Starr at 85

As he approaches his eighty-fifth birthday, the legendary Beatles drummer remains a figure of relentless creativity and boundless energy. Ringo Starr continues to share his distinctive wisdom and champion his lifelong message of harmony and fellowship. He is a man who looks in the mirror and sees someone who never aged past twenty-four. This perspective fuels a life still dedicated to the rhythm that first captured his heart in a hospital ward decades ago. The beat, for Ringo, truly does go on, propelled by a simple, profound love for his craft.

A Tradition of Friendship

During the summer months of 1985, a journey from the United States to England marked a milestone. The percussionist Max Weinberg travelled across the Atlantic to celebrate the forty-fifth birthday of his friend, Ringo Starr. Their bond had formed a half-decade before that in Los Angeles, in the backstage area of a venue where Weinberg performed with the E Street Band and Bruce Springsteen. Despite their growing camaraderie, Weinberg held on to a degree of awe for the man who was his childhood inspiration. The ever-affable Starr, sensing this, offered a simple piece of advice: calling him Richie might make things easier.

An Inside Joke

During the birthday gathering at Tittenhurst Park, the magnificent property once owned by John Lennon with Yoko Ono, Starr delivered a line that became a cherished private joke. He turned to Weinberg, who was thirty-four, and wryly asked if his own advancing age made his younger companion feel old. This question developed into an annual custom, a recurring gag updated with each passing year. Weinberg imagines that on the upcoming 7 July, Starr will deliver the punchline again: “I’m 85.” The number, once seemingly distant, no longer feels so old.

The Unmistakable Ringo-ism

That dry, clever remark is pure Ringo. It is a witty, thought-provoking comment from rock and roll’s own Yogi Berra. His casually tossed-off phrases, known as "Ringo-isms," found their way into immortality, becoming titles for iconic Beatles songs like "A Hard Day’s Night" and "Tomorrow Never Knows." These expressions capture a unique, off-kilter wisdom that has charmed audiences for decades. They represent a playful and profound perspective, a way of seeing the world that is entirely his own and a key part of his enduring appeal.

Still on the Road

Sir Ringo Starr becomes the first of the Beatles to arrive at the eighty-five-year milestone. In the same way as his fellow surviving bandmate, Paul McCartney, retirement has never been on the agenda. The past year alone has been remarkably productive. Starr released a new country album, Look Up, which was put to tape in Nashville, and has been touring extensively with his All-Starr Band. This ever-evolving supergroup currently boasts luminaries such as Colin Hay of Men at Work and Steve Lukather from Toto, continuing a tradition of collaboration that has defined this phase of his career.

Youthful Vitality

During a recent All-Starr Band concert at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, Starr appeared on the platform with the sprightly liveliness of a much younger man. He spent much of the performance seated behind his raised set of drums, energetically keeping time. When presenting his playful 1974 track, “No-No Song,” he offered insight into his longevity. The song’s message, he explained to the audience, is the reason he can still perform today. Starr and his wife, Barbara Bach, have maintained sobriety from 1988 onwards, a decision that has profoundly shaped his later years.

Image Credit - Billboard

A State of Mind

When considering his approaching birthday in Los Angeles, Starr expresses a sense of disbelief. He sees his reflection and feels he is a man of twenty-four, an age he feels he never surpassed. Yet, he acknowledges the reality with a self-directed chuckle: “But guess what? You did.” His manner is that of a fun-loving, joke-telling relative who also happened to be in one of history’s most triumphant musical groups. After a photoshoot, clad in his trademark shades and a jacket adorned with peace symbols, his playful spirit is on full display.

The Evasive Art of Conversation

When the discussion shifts to his history, Starr is more inclined to provide a cleverly noncommittal quip than explore deep-seated feelings. He maintains it was never difficult being the sole Beatle who, for a long part of the group's existence, did not compose songs. He recounts infamous episodes from his wilder days with a cheerful laugh and a dismissive gesture, choosing to keep his emotional world private. However, he is quite open when it comes to sharing recollections of his time with The Beatles, which pepper his conversations freely.

The Beatle Who Couldn't Read Music

A recent proposal to become a member of the musicians' guild in Nashville sparked a humorous memory. Starr recalled, with a laugh, the old concern that the guild would compel the band to understand sheet music. He explained that none of them, including John, Paul, or George, had this skill. This limitation, however, never hindered their creativity. He imagined his fate would have been simple had the rule been enforced: he would have just played the tambourine. This anecdote highlights the intuitive, feel-based approach to music that defined the band.

The Best There Is

Decades after their creative partnership began, Paul McCartney remains full of praise for his former bandmate. He stated in a phone discussion that even with his experience playing with different percussionists, Ringo is the finest. He describes a particular quality in Starr’s playing that is exceptionally hard for others to replicate. McCartney summed up this singular quality, stating simply that there is only one Ringo. It is a sentiment that encapsulates a musical and personal bond forged over a lifetime.

The Drummer's Drummer

Max Weinberg voices an opinion shared by countless percussionists. He says that replicating Ringo’s style from his Beatles period is an unachievable feat, pointing to the lack of enchantment in the majority of tribute bands as evidence. To Weinberg, it is similar to attempting to sing a Frank Sinatra song; one might approach it, but capturing the precise phrasing and the distinctive, unusual nuances of the performance is impossible. This inimitable quality was on full display during two packed concerts at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium in January, which were later edited for a television feature.

Collaborating with a New Generation

The Ryman events saw Starr paired with newer artists, including dynamic bluegrass guitarist Billy Strings and the emotive singer Mickey Guyton. The eighty-something-year-old left a strong impression on them with his spirited endurance. Molly Tuttle, an agile 32-year-old musician, recounted seeing him perform jumping jacks during practice sessions. She expressed her astonishment, noting that his energy level far surpassed her own. This vitality is matched by a spirit of generosity. Tuttle fondly remembers him encouraging her to take the lead while developing a musical arrangement.

Image Credit - NY Post

A Generous Spirit

Percussionist Sheila E., a three-time touring member of the All-Starr Band, also emphasized how giving Starr is as a musical partner. She shared a moving story from the end of her initial tour. Starr complimented her, saying their collaboration had improved his own drumming skills. The remark brought her to tears. This humility and willingness to learn from fellow musicians, even after decades of superstardom, reveals a core aspect of his character. It is this collaborative spirit that keeps his music fresh and his relationships with other artists strong.

The Love of Playing

When inquired how he managed to sustain such vigor well into his eighties, Starr’s reply is straightforward and delivered with an air of self-evidence. He simply stated his deep affection for his work. The explanation drifts back to a memory of his initial performances around Liverpool, which took place before he became part of the group he occasionally calls "the Fabs." His mother, who often attended his early shows, always observed that he seemed most content while he was on his drum set. Her observation was astute. He still adores playing them.

From the Dingle to the Drums

Richard Starkey entered the world in a rugged Liverpool area called the Dingle. His father departed when he was three years of age. At thirteen, his mother, Elsie, wed Harry Graves, a man Starr continues to speak of with youthful admiration, calling him the greatest stepfather imaginable. His childhood was marked by severe health challenges. A burst appendix at age six led to peritonitis, a dangerous infection that resulted in a year-long stay in a children's medical facility. This prolonged period of isolation was a formative experience.

A Musical Awakening

At thirteen, he faced another major illness: tuberculosis, which necessitated a two-year recovery period in a Merseyside sanatorium. During this second long hospital stay, his life's passion was ignited. An instructor visited the ward with an assortment of percussion instruments for the listless, confined kids to use. When Starkey struck a small drum, he experienced a moment of realization. From that point on, his sole ambition was to be a percussionist. This discovery provided a focus and a future beyond the confines of his sickbed.

Makeshift Beginnings

He started to make do with any objects he could find, even creating drumsticks from cotton bobbins. His resourcefulness proved valuable shortly after, as Liverpool became swept up in the skiffle trend. This musical style, which drew from American blues, often used improvised instruments. However, his cobbled-together items were no replacement for actual equipment. Eventually, towards the end of 1957, his stepfather gifted Starr his very first real drum set. This gift was a pivotal moment, empowering him to pursue his dream.

The Road to The Beatles

Starr rapidly gained recognition through his work in various skiffle bands before dedicating a few years to performing with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, a theatrical rock group. During an extended engagement in Hamburg, their paths frequently intersected with another rising band from the city. This other group ultimately presented Rory Storm's percussionist with a proposition he simply had to accept. In August 1962, Ringo Starr officially replaced Pete Best, completing the lineup that would conquer the world. This change solidified the band's chemistry.

Image Credit - People

Debunking the 'Lucky' Myth

Through the decades, numerous detractors have implied that Starr was merely fortunate to be in that position. However, every person interviewed for this story was eager to debunk that outdated argument. Max Weinberg dismissed the notion as utterly absurd, rejecting the idea that the band consisted of three skilled singer-songwriters at the forefront alongside a man who just got a lucky break. He argued that recruiting Ringo for the band that would become the Beatles was a major victory for the other three members.

Complicated Simplicity

Sheila E., who analyzed Starr's drumming technique during their tours together, described his style as deceptively complex. She asserted that his straightforwardness was intricate. She observed that Beatles recordings consistently sound like a dialogue among four distinct individuals. She explained that his drum fills were never just an attempt to be noticeable; instead, they were perfectly placed within the music, occupying gaps in a way that felt natural. They land in a place where they make sense.

The Unseen Hard Work

Starr is quick to emphasize the group’s difficult early years. He debunked the common misconception that their success was overnight, clarifying that they put in a great deal of effort to get where they were. The perception that they simply woke up at the top of the charts is far from the truth. The reality was one of relentless hard work, honing their craft in clubs and dance halls long before Beatlemania erupted. This foundational period of intense performance was crucial to their development as a tight, formidable live act.

Finding a Songwriting Voice

Even though Starr typically handled the lead vocals for about one song on each record, he was the final member to begin composing his own music. He conceded that it was challenging to step into the spotlight with John and Paul as bandmates. He would announce he had a new song, but his bandmates would be in stitches partway through because he was merely putting new lyrics to existing tunes. McCartney confirmed this with a chuckle, adding they would joke that he had written a fantastic Bob Dylan track.

A Country Soul

In time, Starr developed his own unique creative voice. His debut solo composition for the Beatles was the country-rock song "Don't Pass Me By," featured on the White Album. A majority of the Beatles tracks where he took the lead or penned the lyrics had their foundations in blues and country. T Bone Burnett, a producer and musician from Texas, remarked that no drummer from England has ever been able to perform a shuffle rhythm with Starr's level of skill.

The Creative Hi-Hat

Weinberg has long praised Starr's unique method of using tom-toms to create a distinct melodic line. He also noted that recording engineers at the time typically preferred hi-hat cymbals to be kept shut. Weinberg stated he can't think of a single drummer from his generation who wasn't affected by Starr's inventive manipulation of the hi-hat. This sentiment was mirrored by Sheila E., who characterized Starr’s drumming as exceptionally musical. She went on to say that his drumming functioned as his voice.

The Artful Drummer

It can be simple to misjudge Starr's ability because he consistently avoided flashy displays of skill. The sole drum solo across the entire Beatles collection is a short, modest series of cymbal strikes and tom-tom rolls on "The End" from the Abbey Road album. A crucial element of Starr's genius lies in his unselfishness and his commitment to enhancing the song itself. Burnett described Ringo as an artistic and perceptive drummer who deciphers a song's narrative and conveys it through his performance.

A Streamlined Life

Lately, Starr's existence has become more tranquil. He and his wife, Barbara Bach, once possessed multiple homes in various nations, but they now primarily reside in the Los Angeles house they have had since 1992. Starr has also simplified his professional life. His acting career was once a significant part of his work. Now, he stated that with the exception of sporadic voice-over parts, he no longer holds much interest in it, as his current focus is on playing music.

A Cinematic Return

He is, nevertheless, set to return to cinema in a certain sense. The filmmaker Sam Mendes is directing an ambitious project of four separate Beatles biopics, each from a different band member’s perspective. Starr has been actively involved in shaping his own story. After he accidentally revealed that the Irish actor Barry Keoghan would portray him, the two finally had a meeting. Keoghan visited Starr's home, where the drummer even played for him to help the actor prepare for the role.

Ensuring Authenticity

For two days, Starr and Mendes reviewed the screenplay for the film centered on Ringo. Starr provided detailed feedback to ensure the portrayal was more faithful to his real life, especially concerning scenes involving his family and his former wife, Maureen Starkey Tigrett. Starr now feels significantly more content with his character's portrayal, concluding that Mendes would manage his work, and he would simply offer his well wishes of peace and love.

The "Peace and Love" Mantra

When requested to elaborate on the personal significance of his signature phrase, he identified the 1960s as the source. For him, the expression serves a dual purpose: it is a call for a planet with diminished rage and brutality, and it also conveys a fondness for an era of hopeful idealism. He explained that in his perception, the initial peace and love movement never ended. This philosophy is put into practice each year on his birthday.

A Global Birthday Wish

Since 2008, on 7 July, Starr has invited everyone to pause at noon local time to say, think, or post "Peace & Love." This tradition began in Chicago and has grown into a global phenomenon, with events held in dozens of countries. For his upcoming eighty-fifth birthday, celebrations are planned worldwide, from Liverpool to Los Angeles. The main event in L.A. will be live-streamed and feature musical tributes from friends and fellow musicians. NASA even participates, helping to amplify the message across the universe.

The Lotus Foundation

Starr’s message of goodwill extends to his philanthropic efforts. With his wife Barbara, he established The Lotus Foundation, a charity that supports a wide range of social welfare projects. The foundation's focus areas include substance abuse, cerebral palsy, cancer research, support for battered women and their children, homelessness, and animal welfare. All of Starr's proceeds from his art sales and other ventures are directed to the foundation, turning his creative pursuits into a force for positive change.

Family and Band Dynamics

Not all of his rock-and-roll peers have embraced the same message of harmony. Recently, Starr's name appeared in headlines because his son, Zak Starkey, was suddenly let go from The Who after nearly three decades as their drummer. The situation was marked by confusing and contradictory statements from band members. Roger Daltrey publicly expressed displeasure with Starkey’s performance during a concert, a claim Starkey himself disputed. Starr summed up the whole situation with a classic, pithy Ringo-ism: "What the Who?"

The Last Beatles Standing

Currently, the relationship between Starr and McCartney is one of harmony. In late 2023, the world heard their latest collaboration on "Now and Then," billed as the final Beatles song. The track used advanced technology to isolate John Lennon's vocals from an old demo, allowing the surviving members to complete the work. Their bond has only deepened over the years. McCartney reflected that the absence of George and John serves as a reminder that all things are finite.

A Unique Bond

McCartney emphasizes the singularity of their shared history. He notes that he and Ringo are the only two people who can recall those specific memories. This bond was evident in December during a surprise encore at an O2 Arena performance in London where Starr joined McCartney. They played "Helter Skelter," and despite the song being a full-throttle rock number, McCartney found himself getting emotional. Separating their personal friendship from their professional past has strengthened their connection, making any new collaboration feel entirely natural.

Living in the Now

A sense of natural impulse is a central principle in the philosophy of Ringo Starr. He lives firmly in the present moment. He explains that none of his journey was mapped out, reflecting on his incredible journey. There is no grand design, only a deep appreciation for the existence he has been fortunate enough to lead. His story is one of improbable survival, unexpected fame, and enduring artistic relevance. Through it all, his message remains simple, his spirit infectious, and his beat, unmistakably his own, continues to resonate.