Biography
Born Richard Starkey, 7 July 1940, Dingle, Liverpool, England. Starkey established his reputation on the nascent Merseybeat circuit as drummer with Rory Storm And The Hurricanes. He later became acquainted with the Beatles, and having established a lively rapport with three of the group, became the natural successor to the taciturn Pete Best upon his firing in 1962. Ringo - a name derived from his many finger adornments - offered a simple, uncluttered playing style which formed the ideal bedrock for his partners' sense of melody. Although overshadowed musically, a deadpan sense of humour helped establish his individuality and each album also contained an obligatory Starr vocal.
The most notable of these was "Yellow Submarine', a million-selling single in 1966. Ringo's success in the group's attendant films, A Hard Day's Night and Help!, inspired an acting career and comedy roles in Candy and The Magic Christian ensued. His solo recording career started with Sentimental Journey, a collection of standards, and Beaucoups Of Blues, a country selection recorded in Nashville, both predated the Beatles" demise.
Fears that his career would then falter proved unfounded. Starr's debut single, "It Don't Come Easy", co-written with George Harrison, topped the US charts and sold in excess of 1 million copies while the same singwriting pair also created "Back Off Boogaloo" (UK number 2) and the wonderful "Photograph'. Ringo featured songs and contributions from each of his former colleagues, although none were recorded together. Buoyed by strong original material and judicious rock 'n' roll favourites, the album later achieved platinum status and was rightly lauded as one of the strongest ex-Beatles" collections. "You're Sixteen" topped the US chart in 1974, but despite further success with "Oh My My", "Snookeroo" (penned by Elton John and Bernie Taupin) and "Only You', Starr's momentum then waned. His film career enjoyed a brief renaissance, with production work on Born To Boogie followed by a highly-praised role in 1973"s That'll Be The Day. The albums Ringo The 4th and Bad Boy showed an artist bereft of direction, however, and the 1983 album Old Wave was denied a release in both the US and UK.
This period was marred by alcoholism and chronic ill health, but during this nadir Starr reached a completely new audience as narrator of the award winning children's television series, Thomas The Tank Engine. He signalled his return to active performing with a guest appearance on Carl Perkins' tribute show. However, an album recorded with US producer Chips Moman in 1987 was abandoned when sessions were blighted by excessive imbibing. Starr then underwent highly-publicized treatment at an alcohol rehabilitation clinic with his wife, actress Barbara Bach, before reasserting his musical career with the All-Starr Band. Levon Helm, Billy Preston, Joe Walsh and Dr. John were among those joining the drummer for a successful 1989 US tour, later the subject of an album and video. The stellar cast Starr was able to assemble confirmed the respect he is still afforded. Starr received a high-profile in 1992 with a new album and tour. The record coincided with the 25th anniversary of Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band which was a timely reminder that his playing on that album was quite superb, and, in addition to his equally fine performance on Abbey Road, begs for a re-appraisal of his standing as a drummer which appears grossly underrated.
Starr undertook many interviews in 1998 when Vertical Man was released. It seemed for once that he had something to say about the past, although his apparent anger stems from the fact that he is still regarded as the "merely" the drummer for the Beatles. That is unlikely to ever change, and whilst he may tire of constantly having to recycle the past, to the detriment of his still active solo career; ex-Beatle Ringo Starr was far too important for millions of people. His poignant performance of "Photograph" at the Concert For George highlights Ringo's great ability to love, and in turn, be loved.
Discography:
Sentimental Journey (Apple 1969)**, Beaucoups Of Blues (Apple 1970)**, Ringo (Apple 1973)***, Goodnight Vienna (Apple 1974)**, Ringo's Rotogravure (Polydor/Atlantic 1976)**, Ringo The 4th (Polydor/Atlantic 1977)**, Bad Boy (Polydor/Portrait 1977)**, Stop And Smell The Roses (RCA/Boardwalk 1981)**, Old Wave (Bellaphon/RCA 1983)*, Ringo Starr And His All-Starr Band (Rykodisc 1990)***, Time Takes Time (Arista/Private 1992)**, Ringo Starr And His All-Starr Band Live From Montreux (Rykodisc 1993)**, Ringo Starr And His Third All-Starr Band (Blockbuster 1997)**, Vertical Man (Mercury 1998)***, VH1 Storytellers (Mercury 1998)**, I Wanna Be Santa Claus (Mercury 1999)**, Live On The King Biscuit Flower Hour (King Biscuit Flower Hour 2002)**, Ringo Rama (Koch 2003)***.
Compilations:
Blast From Your Past (Apple 1975)***, Starr Struck: Best Of Ringo Starr, Vol. 2 (Rhino 1989)***, The Anthology ... So Far (Megaworld 2001)***.
Videography:
Ringo Starr And His Fourth All-Star Band (MPI Home Video 1998), The Best Of Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band So Far ... (Aviva International 2001), Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band: Tour 2003 (Warner Music Vision 2004).
Bibliography:
Ringo Starr: Straight Man Or Joker?, Alan Clayson. Postcards From The Boys, Ringo Starr. The Ringo Star Encyclopedia, Bill Harry.
Filmography:
A Hard Day's Night (1964), Help! (1965), Magical Mystery Tour (1967), Yellow Submarine (1968), Candy (1968), The Magic Christian (1969), Let It Be (1970), 200 Motels (1971), Blindman aka Il Cieco (1971), Born To Boogie (1972), That'll Be The Day (1973), Son Of Dracula aka Young Dracula (1974), Lisztomania (1975), Sextette (1978), Caveman (1981), Give My Regards To Broad Street (1984), Water (1985), To The North Of Katmandu (1986), Walking After Midnight (1988).
Music Albums
Bad Boy
Epic
03/26/1991
Blast From Your Past
Capitol/EMI Records
07/23/1996
Goodnight Vienna
Capitol/EMI Records
07/23/1996
Old Wave
The Right Stuff
08/23/1994
Ringo
Capitol/EMI Records
07/23/1996
Ringo The 4th
Atlantic
09/15/1992
Ringo's Rotogravure
Atlantic
09/15/1992
Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band, V.2: Live...
Rykodisc USA
09/14/1993
Starrstruck: Best Of, Vol 2 (1976-1983)
Rhino Records
03/01/1989
Stop And Smell The Roses
The Right Stuff
08/23/1994
Time Takes Time
BMG Special Products
05/22/1992
Ringo [Gold Disc]
DCC Compact Classics
10/11/1994
Beaucoups Of Blues
Capitol/EMI Records
07/23/1996
Sentimental Journey
Capitol/EMI Records
07/23/1996
Vertical Man [Limited]
Mercury
06/16/1998
VH1 Storytellers
Mercury
10/20/1998
I Wanna Be Santa Claus
Island Records
10/19/1999
Vertical Man
Mercury
06/16/1998
Ringo Rama
Koch Records
03/25/2003
Extended Versions
BMG Special Products
01/21/2002
Christmas Collection: 20th Century Masters
Mercury
09/23/2003
Ringo Rama Deluxe [CD & DVD] [Limited]
Koch Records
11/11/2003
Extended Versions
Collectables
11/23/2004
Source: Encyclopedia of Popular Music
