Ringo Starr – A Legend in his Time

If you call roll for true icons of rock and roll, it wouldnt take long to come to Ringo Starr, whos been thrilling crowds all over the world for decades. Ringos musical writing and performance have captured the hearts and ears of millions of people from several generations, and a look at his life will show how he came to be as revered as any musical figure in history.

The struggles of his early life.

Ringo was born and brought up in Liverpool, but when he was very young his parents seperated and Ringo was brought up by his mother and step father. They lived in a working class suburb of Liverpool.

Aside from family struggles, Starr also faced and conquered early health issues. When he was six, he suffered from appendicitis. Further complicating matters, his appendix burst, and the resulting peritonitis left him in a coma for ten weeks. Doctors gave him little chance to survive, but survive he did, and he was nearly recovered when another disaster hit. Ringo fell out of his hospital bed after six months of recovery and had to remain there for another six months.

But these medical problems did set him back quite a bit academically, as he had to miss so much school because of them, but the upside is that because of this he was drawn to a musical career, for which we are all grateful.

When Starr was 13, he was dealt another medical blow when he was diagnosed with pleurisy, and he had to spend two years in the hospital as a result of this ailment. By the time he got out he was 15, and so far behind in school that he gave up the thought of ever returning at that point.

Starr took a series of dead-end jobs, as his career ceiling was quite limited because of his lack of academic progress. It was at this time that he discovered an outlet for his creativity – music.

His career begins

Ringo started his first band in 1957, and it was called The Eddie Clayton Skiffle Group, and then two years later he joined The Raving Texans. It was here that he got his nickname because of the number of rings that he wore.

While performing with The Raving Texans in 1960, Starr met a little-known group called The Beatles in Hamburg. The Beatles eventually replaced their existing drummer, Pete Best, in 1962, and chose Ringo as their replacement.

Legends in the Making

Nobody would argue that joining The Beatles was the best move that Ringo ever made, as it enabled him to enjoy an unbelievable level of fame and fortune which he is still enjoying to this very day.

Ringo’s Solo Career

In 1970, The Beatles broke up and Ringo went right to work on his solo career. He released two albums that same year, and has produced 12 more since. Ringo released 11 singles that made the US and UK charts. Starr also spent time with Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band, a loosely grouped band of all star musicians who spent time touring together. All in all, Starrs solo career has been a resounding success.

Accomplishments

This has got him to the very top in the world of music. He has won many Grammy award, found a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and sold countless millions of records all around the world.

If Ringo ever comes to your town then whatever else you do, do not miss the chance of seeing him play live in concert.

This has been just one of a series of articles that I am writing on musical icons. If you would like me to let you know when the next article comes out then simply go to my website (see below) and send me an email asking to be kept posted.