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 Richard
Starkey, born on July 7, 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 humor
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 pair also created "Back
Off Boogaloo" (UK number 2) and "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 favorites, 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 also marred
by alcoholism and chronic ill-health.
 During this nadir, Starr reached a
completely new audience as narrator of the award winning children's
television series, Thomas The Tank Engine, but signaled 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. Pepper's 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 reappraisal of his standing as a drummer which
appears grossly underrated.
 He undertook many interviews in 1998
when Vertical Man was released. It seemed for once that Starr 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.
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