New York: On July 7, 2025, Richard Starkey—known to the world as Ringo Starr—will celebrate his 85th birthday, a milestone that feels almost defiant in its vibrancy. The legendary drummer of The Beatles, a band that reshaped the cultural landscape of the 20th century, remains a figure of enduring charm, boundless energy, and an unyielding commitment to his craft. As he approaches this significant moment, Starr’s life offers a tapestry of resilience, reinvention, and a steadfast gospel of “peace and love” that has defined his public persona for decades. This portrait, drawn from his own reflections, recent interviews, and a storied career, seeks to capture the essence of a man who, at 85, insists he’s still 24 in his heart.
A Liverpool Lad with a Drumbeat DestinyBorn in 1940 in Liverpool’s gritty Dingle neighborhood, Richard Starkey’s early life was marked by hardship and illness. The son of bakery workers Richard Starkey Sr. and Elsie Gleave, young Ritchie faced life-threatening health challenges that shaped his tenacity. At six, a ruptured appendix led to a year-long hospital stay, and at 13, tuberculosis confined him to a sanatorium for two years. It was there, through therapeutic percussion, that he discovered the drums—a moment that would alter the course of his life. “When I was 13, I only wanted to be a drummer,” Starr has said, a sentiment that echoes the single-minded passion of his youth.
By 17, Starr was playing with the Eddie Clayton Skiffle Group, riding the UK’s skiffle craze, a genre blending folk, jazz, and blues that captivated post-war youth. His stage name, Ringo Starr, emerged from the rings he wore and a nod to the country-western flair he admired. By 1959, he was drumming for Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, one of Liverpool’s top bands, performing at local clubs and a residency at Butlin’s holiday camp. It was a formative period, honing his craft and charisma, but also a time of tough choices—Starr nearly abandoned a machinist apprenticeship to pursue music full-time.
His path converged with The Beatles in 1962, a pivotal moment that thrust him into global stardom. Replacing Pete Best, Starr joined John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison just as the band was poised to record “Love Me Do.” His arrival wasn’t without friction—Best’s fans protested, and producer George Martin initially questioned his fit—but Starr’s steady, intuitive drumming and affable personality quickly proved indispensable. His style, emphasizing feel over flash, anchored The Beatles’ evolving sound, from the raw energy of “Twist and Shout” to the intricate layers of “A Day in the Life.”
The Beatle Years: Rhythm and Resonance
As the drummer for The Beatles, Starr was more than a timekeeper; he was a personality. His mop-top hair, soulful eyes, and quick wit made him a fan favorite, often stealing scenes in films like A Hard Day’s Night (1964), where he quipped, “I’m a mocker,” when asked if he was a mod or a rocker. He sang lead on iconic tracks like “Yellow Submarine” and “With a Little Help from My Friends,” his warm, everyman voice adding a relatable charm to the band’s catalog. He also wrote and sang “Don’t Pass Me By” and “Octopus’s Garden,” the latter inspired by a boating trip in Sardinia. These contributions, though fewer than those of Lennon and McCartney, showcased his creative depth.
Starr’s drumming was a quiet revolution.
A left-handed player on a right-handed kit, his unorthodox approach—marked by subtle fills and a compositional mindset—influenced generations of drummers. Songs like “Rain” and “In My Life” bear his signature, blending instinct with innovation. “I’m in a blackout!” he recently told the Associated Press, describing the immersive joy of playing drums, a state where time and self dissolve into rhythm. His ability to adapt to The Beatles’ experimental shifts, from psychedelic explorations to orchestral ambitions, cemented his role as the band’s heartbeat.
Offstage, Starr’s life was less glamorous.
Hospitalizations in his youth left him with a sense of fragility, yet also a gratitude for survival. His first marriage to Maureen Cox (1965–1975) produced three children—Zak, Jason, and Lee—but ended amid the strains of fame and personal struggles, including battles with alcoholism. His 1981 marriage to Barbara Bach, whom he met on the set of Caveman, marked a turning point, grounding him in a partnership that endures to this day.
Solo Stardom and the All-Starr LegacyWhen The Beatles disbanded in 1970, Starr faced an uncertain future. Unlike McCartney or Lennon, whose songwriting dominated the band, Starr’s solo path required reinvention. He succeeded with remarkable gusto. His 1973 album Ringo, featuring hits like “Photograph” and “You’re Sixteen,” reached the top ten in the UK and US, a testament to his crossover appeal. Collaborations with George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and others underscored his knack for uniting talent.
Since 1989, Starr’s All-Starr Band has been a cornerstone of his legacy. Now in its 35th year, the rotating supergroup—featuring stalwarts like Steve Lukather, Colin Hay, and Gregg Bissonette—embodies Starr’s collaborative spirit. The band’s 2025 tour, with dates from June to September, including a Las Vegas residency, showcases his relentless drive. Fans marvel at his energy, with one X post noting, “Ringo Starr at 84-years-old. Unbelievable.” His recent album, Look Up (January 2025), a country record co-written with T. Bone Burnett and featuring Alison Krauss and Billy Strings, proves he’s still musically curious.
Starr’s solo career extends beyond music.
He narrated Thomas & Friends, played Mr. Conductor on Shining Time Station, and acted in films like The Magic Christian (1969) and 200 Motels (1971). His photography, a lifelong passion, has been exhibited globally, and his transcendental meditation practice, inspired by The Beatles’ 1968 trip to India, remains a spiritual anchor.
The Peace and Love GospelSince the 1990s, Starr’s annual birthday celebrations have become global events, centered on his “Peace and Love” mantra.
Held at Beverly Hills Garden Park since 2021, these gatherings feature his iconic peace-sign statue, musical tributes, and a noon chant that fans worldwide join via livestream. In 2025, the event promises celebrity guests and a cake-cutting, continuing a tradition that reflects Starr’s optimism. “I think it’s important every day,” he said of peace and love, addressing a world he sees as “going through a madness.”
This philosophy isn’t mere branding. Starr’s warmth and accessibility—evident in his interactions with fans and bandmates—stem from his working-class roots and near-death experiences. “Thank God we came from Liverpool with our attitude,” he wrote in his 2022 book, Lifted. His humor and humility shine in moments like his playful rejection of retirement talk, despite his children’s exasperation.
Defying Age with Broccoli and BeatsAt 85, Starr’s vitality is striking. He credits a diet of “broccoli and blueberries,” late nights, and the joy of drumming. “I love to hit those buggers,” he told the New York Times, recalling his mother’s observation that he’s happiest behind the kit. Onstage, he runs, jumps, and keeps time with the vigor of a man decades younger. His health regimen—clean eating and regular workouts—complements a mental youthfulness. “I live in the now,” he says, embracing spontaneity over nostalgia.
Starr’s defiance of age extends to his outlook. “I’m 24 in here,” he says, pointing to his head, a quip rooted in a conversation with his son Zak, who felt 27 at 40. This youthful mindset drives his continued output, from Look Up to his anticipation of Sam Mendes’ 2028 Beatles biopics, about which he’s cautiously optimistic. His recent Grammy win fuels his ambition—“I’d like a couple more if you don’t mind,” he told the AP—while his bond with Paul McCartney, the only other surviving Beatle, remains a touchstone. “We have dinner together, we hang,” Starr said, a testament to their enduring friendship.
A Legacy of Joy and Resilience
Ringo Starr’s 85th birthday marks not just a personal milestone but a cultural one. As the longest-living Beatle, he carries the band’s legacy with grace, humor, and an infectious zest for life. His journey—from a sickly Liverpool lad to a global icon—embodies resilience, adaptability, and the power of simplicity. Whether behind the drums, preaching peace and love, or snapping photos with his Pentax, Starr remains a beacon of authenticity in a world that often feels chaotic.
As he prepares to celebrate in Los Angeles, surrounded by friends, family, and fans, Starr’s message resonates: “I didn’t plan any of it. I love that life I’m allowed to live.” At 85, he’s not slowing down, still chasing the beat that started it all, proving that age is just a number when your heart beats to the rhythm of peace, love, and music.
