Ringo Starr: The Enduring Beat of Rock & Roll
Ringo Starr is the legendary English drummer and vocalist who rose to global fame as a member of The Beatles. Following the band's dissolution, he forged a successful solo career, scoring multiple top ten hits and releasing over twenty studio albums.
Early career
Born Richard Starkey in Liverpool in 1940, Ringo Starr began his musical journey as a drummer for the popular Merseybeat band Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. His solid, distinctive backbeat caught the attention of The Beatles, who invited him to replace drummer Pete Best in 1962, cementing the band's final and most famous lineup.
Breakthrough
Ringo Starr's solo breakthrough came swiftly after The Beatles split, with his 1970 album Sentimental Journey and the 1973 pop-rock record Ringo. The latter was a major commercial success, reaching number two on the US Billboard chart and spawning the number one singles "Photograph" and "You're Sixteen," both certified gold.
Key tracks
Photograph - This 1973 co-write with George Harrison became Ringo Starr's first solo number-one single in the United States.
It Don't Come Easy - Released in 1971, this signature rock track, produced by George Harrison, was his first major solo hit, reaching the top ten on both sides of the Atlantic.
You're Sixteen - A nostalgic cover that gave Starr his second US number-one hit in 1973, showcasing his playful vocal charm.
Back Off Boogaloo - Another top ten hit from 1972, notable for its driving glam rock feel and Starr's distinctive vocal delivery.
Act Naturally - His 1989 duet with Buck Owens, which revisited a Beatles-era song and won Starr a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Collaboration.
Throughout the 70s and beyond, Starr continued recording and touring with his All-Starr Band, a rotating collective of famous musician friends. His later work includes albums like Time Takes Time (1992) and more recent EPs such as EP3 (2022). He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a Beatle in 1988 and received a knighthood in 2018.
Fans of Ringo Starr's good-natured rock and roll may also enjoy the melodic sensibilities of Paul McCartney. His straightforward, rootsy approach finds common ground with George Harrison. For the classic rock spirit of collaboration, explore Tom Petty. The enduring quality of his music aligns with that of The Rolling Stones.
Ringo Starr's catalog, from his Beatles classics to his solo hits, remains a staple on classic rock FM stations and album-oriented rock formats. His upbeat anthems and reliable backbeat provide an essential thread in the fabric of rock radio history.
The music of Ringo Starr, both as a solo artist and a Beatle, is featured across various stations on our platform, allowing listeners to explore his enduring contribution to rock and roll.
