So today we take a deep dive into the early life of Ringo Starr, how he joined the Beatles & their subsequent unprecedented success. 

After overcoming various serious Illnesses as a child, a young Ringo first develops an interest in drumming while in hospital recovering. 

His first arrives courtesy of stepfather Harry Graves & before long Ringo is drumming in skiffle bands around Liverpool before moving on to join Rory Storm & the Hurricanes where he comes known as Ringo for the first time.

Having met the other Beatles briefly back in Liverpool, Ringo finds himself in Hamburg at the same time as them. After sitting in with the band for the increasingly unreliable Pete Best, Ringo is asked to join the band in 1962. 

His first gig with the band takes place at Hulme Hall in Port Sunlight in August of that year. Back at The Cavern some fans take a dislike to Pete’a replacement & some dissent & altercations follow. 

The Beatles debut album comes out in February of 1963 & features Ringo’s debut vocal performance with the band, Boys. 

I Wanna Be Your Man follows on With The Beatles but by now the Starkey family home in The Dingle is besieged with Beatle fans, eventually forcing the family to relocate. 

The Beatles arrive in the US in February of 1964 & Ringo plays a starring role in their debut press conference in New York. 

Ringo goes on to become the most popular Beatle stateside inspiring a number of novelty releases about him. 

One of Ringo’s catchphrases becomes the title of the Beatles debut feature film A Hard Days Night later in 1964 & he receives positive reviews for his acting in the film. 

Other notable Ringo tracks include Act Naturally & What Goes On but it’s 1966’s Yellow Submarine which gives Ringo his first number one. 

Another memorable Ringo vocal is released the following year on Sgt. Pepper with A Little Help From My Friends. 

Some of Ringo’s most memorable drum parts appear on Rain, Ticket To Ride & A Day In The Life. 

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

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