History Music / RingoStarr

[[WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends Wake up lazybones!]] Why don't you [[JustForFun/DescribeTopicHere describe Ringo Star like me?]]

Some see Ringo as the Beatles' [[LesserStar Garf]][[Music/SimonAndGarfunkel unkel]], having only been credited for writing two songs[[note]]"Don't Pass Me By" and "Octopus's Garden"[[/note]] out of the over 200 in their catalogue (although he does have several co-writing credits). (Ringo himself has been [[SelfDeprecation self-deprecating]] about this.) The other Beatles tried to avoid this, however, by giving him at least one song to sing on most of their albums[[note]]''Music/AHardDaysNight'', ''Music/MagicalMysteryTour'', and ''Music/LetItBe'' being the only exceptions[[/note]], and repeatedly declared his importance for the band in interviews. Music/JohnLennon, who often hired Ringo as his drummer after the break-up because he had gotten used to his groove, noted in an interview, "Ringo's a damn good drummer. He always was a good drummer. He's not technically good, but I think Ringo's drumming is underrated the same way as [[Music/PaulMcCartney Paul]]'s bass playing is underrated." In addition, Music/PaulMcCartney and Music/GeorgeHarrison would often have him drum for their solo work as well.

Oh, did we mention he was the first of the three surviving Beatles to appear on ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' (in "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS2E18BrushWithGreatness Brush With Greatness]]")? He also provided narration for the first two seasons of ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'', and also played the Conductor. Not only did he originate the role on ''Series/ShiningTimeStation,'' but later got [[TheOtherDarrin replaced]] by ''Creator/GeorgeCarlin'' [[WTHCastingAgency of all people]].

[[caption-width-right:300:PEACE and LOVE!😎✌❤☮🌟🎶🥦🍒🐘]]

Aside from his musical career, he's also a pretty accomplished actor, having starred in such films as ''Film/TheMagicChristian'' (alongside Creator/PeterSellers) and ''Film/{{Caveman}}'' ([[RomanceOnTheSet where he met his wife]], Creator/BarbaraBach), and has appeared in many other films over the years. He sang the theme song for a 2013 revival special of ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls''.

Some see him as the Beatles' [[LesserStar Garfunkel]], having only been credited for writing two Beatles songs[[note]]"Don't Pass Me By" and "Octopus's Garden"[[/note]] out of the over 200 in their catalogue (although he does have several co-writing credits). Ringo himself has been [[SelfDeprecation Self Deprecating]] about this. The other Beatles tried to avoid this, however, by giving him at least one song to sing on most of their albums[[note]]''Music/AHardDaysNight'', ''Music/MagicalMysteryTour'', and ''Music/LetItBe'' being the only exceptions[[/note]], and have repeatedly declared his importance for the band in interviews. Music/JohnLennon, who often hired Ringo as his drummer after the break-up because he had gotten used to his groove, noted in an interview that "Ringo's a damn good drummer. He always was a good drummer. He's not technically good, but I think Ringo's drumming is underrated the same way as [[Music/PaulMcCartney Paul's]] bass playing is underrated". In addition, Music/PaulMcCartney and Music/GeorgeHarrison would often have him drum for their solo work as well.

Oh, and did we mention he was the first of the three surviving Beatles to appear on ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' in "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS2E18BrushWithGreatness Brush With Greatness]]"? He also provided narration for the first two seasons of ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'', and also played the Conductor. Not only did he originate the role on ''Series/ShiningTimeStation,'' but later got [[TheOtherDarrin replaced]] by ''Creator/GeorgeCarlin'' [[WTHCastingAgency of all people]].

An inductee in the 2015 Rock and Roll of Fame class, the final member of the Fab Four to be inducted as a solo artist. In December 2017, it was announced that he would receive a knighthood, which took place on March 20, 2018.

[[UsefulNotes/KnightFever Sir]] Richard Starkey [[UsefulNotes/KnightFever MBE]] (born 7 July 1940), better known as [[StageNames Ringo Starr]], was the more notable drummer for Music/TheBeatles, replacing [[ThePeteBest Pete Best]], and he is awesome. Following his career with the Fab Four, he has had a mildly successful solo career.

* ArtifactAlias: His stage name was originally intended to evoke TheWildWest; when he was with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, the band decided to do a bit of Wild West-inspired ThemeNaming for all its members. Ringo's stuck even after he became a Beatle, and continued to stick after the Beatles broke up. "Ringo" also mentions the many rings he wears in his hands.
* ArtistAndTheBand: He created his own live band called Ringo Starr & the All-Starr Band, comprised of artists who were former members of 1970/1980s rock bands, making it also a {{Supergroup}}.

* BoringButPractical: Ringo's drumming skills are often dismissed by lay audiences because of his lack of flare (he only had one drum solo with the Beatles and had to be talked into it), but professional musicians are far more likely to praise him as one of rock's greatest percussionists. This is owed to the fact that Ringo's drumming style is very precise and technical, resulting in him being highly skilled at keeping time and adapting to whatever material he was given; case in point, he only fluffed a grand total of ''twelve'' takes during his time with the Beatles.

* AllDrummersAreAnimals: Generally averted, though he ''was'' often seen as the most offbeat Beatle.

* ArtistAndTheBand: He created his own live band called Ringo Starr & The All-Starr Band, comprised of artists who were former members of 1970/1980s rock bands, making it also a {{Supergroup}}.
* AudienceSurrogate: In a lot of ways he functioned as one for The Beatles, being TheEveryman alongside three geniuses, which made him relatable. As critic Robert Christgau put it, "He's our representative on The Beatles."
* BoringButPractical: When listening to his work with the Beatles, if you're not paying attention, you might never notice him. If you ''do'' pay attention... He contributed creative drum parts to the Beatles' songs, effortlessly adapting to whatever the others needed.[[note]]Compare, for example, the up-tempo pop beat of "I Saw Her Standing There", the metal thrash of "Helter Skelter", and the sensitive touch and style shifts in "Something".[[/note]] He is very, very good at keeping time, and fluffed a grand total of ''twelve takes'' in the entirety of the Beatles' recording career. For every casual fan who thinks he's "just okay", there's a musician/drummer who thinks [[SimpleYetAwesome he's awesome]]. And [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqeBt5ZO4mU here's a set of testimonials by some of the great drummers of the late 20th and early 21st centuries]], explaining exactly why they think Ringo is awesome.

* CoolShades: Ringo hasn't been seen without his sunglasses since the 1980's, never taking them off even at night.

** To make the Beatles a full VocalTagTeam, Ringo sang a song on most of their albums. John and Paul even joked that their version of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8QEX3_aVig the song]] they gave to Music/{{The Rolling Stones|Band}} was sung by Ringo...
** This [[OlderThanTheyThink dates back to his days with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes]][[invoked]]; part of the logic behind his stage name was that it allowed the group to bill his solos as "Starr Time." (After joining The Beatles, he continued to cover one of his usual Rory numbers--The Shirelles' "Boys"--which made it onto the album ''Please Please Me.'')
* {{Supergroup}}: Starr has led The All-Starr Band since 1989, the concept for which is that every musician on stage with Ringo is a "star in their own right", who each get their [[StepUpToTheMicrophone own spotlight moments]] during the show to perform songs from their career. Famous musicians who have toured with the band include Music/ToddRundgren, [[Music/{{Eagles}} Joe Walsh]], [[Music/{{Cream}} Jack Bruce]], [[Music/MenAtWork Colin Hay]], [[Music/TheWho John Entwistle]], [[Music/EmersonLakeAndPalmer Greg Lake]], Music/SheilaE, and Music/PeterFrampton.

[[UsefulNotes/KnightFever Sir]] Richard Starkey [[UsefulNotes/KnightFever MBE]] (born 7 July 1940), better known as [[StageNames Ringo Starr]], was the more notable drummer for Music/TheBeatles, replacing [[ThePeteBest Pete Best]], and [[CoolOldGuy he is awesome]]. Following his career with the Fab Four, he has had a mildly successful solo career.

* CoolOldGuy: In his eighties and as charismatic, likable and fun as ever.

!!Tropes and Love, Tropes and Love!:

!!Tropes and Love, Tropes and Love!!:

!!Ringo Starr provides examples of:

* GenerationXerox: His son Zak is also a drummer, most famously of Music/{{Oasis}}.

* NewSoundAlbum: After experimenting with GenreThrowback (''Sentimental Journey'') and CountryMusic (''Beaucoups of Blues'') on his first two albums, ''Ringo'' established the template he's mostly stuck to in his solo career: basic, good-natured rock with some GenreRoulette, and an AllStarCast to back him up.

** This [[OlderThanTheyThink dates back to his days with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes]]; part of the logic behind his stage name was that it allowed the group to bill his solos as "Starr Time." (After joining The Beatles, he continued to cover one of his usual Rory numbers--The Shirelles' "Boys"--which made it onto the album ''Please Please Me.'')

** To make the Beatles a full VocalTagTeam, Ringo sang a song on most of their albums. John and Paul even joked that their version of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8QEX3_aVig the song]] they gave to Music/TheRollingStones was sung by Ringo...

* {{Supergroup}}: Starr has led The All-Starr Band since 1989, the concept for which is that every musician on stage with Ringo is a "star in their own right", who each get their [[StepUpToTheMicrophone own spotlight moments]] during the show to perform songs from their career. Famous musicians who have toured with the band include Music/ToddRundgren, [[Music/{{Eagles}} Joe Walsh]], [[Music/{{Cream}} Jack Bruce]], [[Music/MenAtWork Colin Hay]], [[Music/TheWho John Entwistle]], [[Music/EmersonLakeAndPalmer Greg Lake]], Music/SheilaE., and Music/PeterFrampton.

* {{Supergroup}}: Starr has led The All-Starr Band since 1989, the concept for which is that every musician on stage with Ringo is a "star in their own right", who each get their [[StepUpToTheMicrophone own spotlight moments]] during the show to perform songs from their career. Famous musicians who have toured with the band include Music/ToddRundgren, [[Music/{{Eagles}} Joe Walsh]], [[Music/{{Cream}} Jack Bruce]], [[Music/MenAtWork Colin Hay]], [[Music/TheWho John Entwistle]], [[Music/EmersonLakeAndPalmer Greg Lake]], [[Music/PrincesAssociates Sheila E.]], and Music/PeterFrampton.

* BlindingBangs: No more than the other three, but anime dubbing companies often turn characters with BlindingBangs into parodies of him, riddling their dialogue with Beatles references. This is shown in ''Manga/{{Kinnikuman}}'' with Geronimo/"Beatlebomb" (one of the most criticised aspects of the dub) and Nihiru/Ringo from ''Manga/BoboboboBobobo''. Ironically, [[Manga/KOn the one character]] who was probably the most influenced by Ringo was famous for having a ForeheadOfDoom.

Oh, and did we mention he provided narration for the first two seasons of ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'', and also played the Conductor? As well as the first surviving Beatle to appear on ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' in "Brush With Greatness"? Perhaps the most mind-boggling aspect of the former is that not only did he initially play the role of Mr. Conductor on ''Series/ShiningTimeStation,'' but later got [[TheOtherDarrin replaced]] by ''Creator/GeorgeCarlin'' [[WTHCastingAgency of all people]].

He's married to Creator/BarbaraBach, whom he met [[RomanceOnTheSet when they appeared together]] in ''Film/{{Caveman}}''.

* StepUpToTheMicrophone: To make the Beatles a full VocalTagTeam, Ringo sang a song on most of their albums. John and Paul even joked that their version of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8QEX3_aVig the song]] they gave to Music/TheRollingStones was sung by Ringo...

* IllBoy: He was very sickly as a child, beginning with a RupturedAppendix at age six that nearly killed him. He spent so much time in hospital that he only had about six years of school and as a poor student at that. On the plus side, his hospitalization also gave him his first exposure to drums.