In the 70’s, he was a happy drunk … by the 80’s, he was just miserable!






It is 1962. Ritchie Starkey – better known by his stage name of Ringo Starr – is widely acknowledged as the best drummer in Liverpool. His current gig is with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He evenhas a featured star slot singing the old Shirelles number ‘Boys’. He is a professional musician.



Then two scruffy Beatles turn up and invite him to jump ship and join them.



Ringo’s response: Well, I’ve got this gig here at Butlins with Rory for the summer season; I can’t just drop everything and leave them in the lurch. I’ll be with you on Saturday.



The Beatles did moderately well.



So was Ringo the luckiest man in show-business? Well – yes and no, says Tom Doyle. And not necessarily for the reasons you think. With The Beatles and after The Beatles, Ringo was something special. He got to participate in the greatest show on Earth (as Lennon put it), but can you imagine The Beatles without him?



The Beatles gig lasted eight years (Ringo was the only Beatle present at the very last recording – A Let It Be overdub, since you ask), or you might say it has lasted 60 years. It has been in many ways a Fab Life.



Tom Doyle – New Modern – £25.00