Ringo Starr has finally received his rightful place in rock 'n' roll immortality. On Saturday, April 18, the former Beatles drummer was enshrined in the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at Cleveland's Public Hall.
Though Starr had been previously been recognized by the Hall of Fame along with his bandmates when the Beatles were inducted in 1988, this marked his much-awaited inclusion as a solo artist.
Starr, whose real name is Richard Starkey Jr., received the Award for Musical Excellence from his former Fab Four bandmate, Paul McCartney. Starr is the last member of the Beatles to receive the recognition, with John Lennon having been posthumously awarded in 1994, McCartney in 1999, and George Harrison posthumously in 2004.
In a recent interview, Starr was asked about his induction as a solo performer.
"I didn't think about it much or expect it," Starr said. "I didn't know that George and John were in it [as solo artists]."
Starr, who just released his 19th solo album Postcards From Paradise in March, said that he was still excited about the award.
"It means recognition," Starr explained. "And it means, finally, the four of us are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, even though we were the biggest pop group in the land."
Yoko Ono, Lennon's widow, was also at hand for the event. She said that Starr had the nicest personality out of the Fab Four, and that he is the most influential member of the group.
In honor of Ringo Starr's induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, here are five facts people might not know about this legendary musician.
1. Ringo plays a right-handed set — even though he is left-handed
Ringo Starr is undoubtedly one of the most popular drummers in history, and he is often cited by other musicians as their greatest musical influence. Starr has said that his signature playing style was created out of the limitations he experienced early on in his career as a lefty drummer.
2. Ringo vs. Muhammad Ali
In one of the Beatle's meetings with the great Muhammad Ali, the legendary boxer playfully mocked Ringo Starr's abilities on the drums. Ali even went on to say that "My dog plays better drums!"
3. Ringo Married a Bond Girl
Ringo Starr is well-known among his fans for his jovial personality, which no doubt helped him capture the heart of a Bond girl. In 1981, Starr tied the knot with actress Barbara Bach, popularly known as the Bond girl Anya Amasova in The Spy Who Loved Me, and the couple's relationship has remained strong throughout the years.
4. Ringo and The Jazzmen
During the early part of his career, Starr was a member of a band called Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. The band once booked a gig at the Cavern Club, a famous jazz club in London, introducing themselves as the Jazzmen. They were fined 10 schillings by the owner when they played the rock song "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On."
5. Ringo and Thomas the Tank Engine
After hearing Ringo Starr's voice in a television interview, Britt Allcroft, one of the creators of Thomas and Friends, asked the drummer to be the narrator for the children's show. Starr was reluctant to take the job at first because he thought children preferred to watch shows about "dinosaurs with lasers." Luckily, he took on the job as the narrator and became one of the artists most associated with the show.
Photo: Eva Rinaldi | Flickr
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