Beatles Drummer Ringo Starr's 86th
Beatles Legend Ringo Starr Marks 86th Birthday, Calls for Peace and Love
Ringo Starr turned 86 on Tuesday, marking the milestone the way he always does — with a call for peace and love to fans around the world. WPXI reported that the Beatles drummer, born Richard Starkey Jr. in Liverpool on July 7, 1940, has made the peace-and-love message a signature birthday tradition.
Starr is one of the last surviving members of the most famous rock band in history. He has spent decades building a solo career while keeping the Beatles legacy alive.
A Rough Start That Shaped a Rock Legend
Starr's early life was defined by serious illness. He was born with peritonitis, a dangerous infection in the abdomen. As a child, he also spent two years in a sanitarium recovering from pleurisy, a painful lung condition. These illnesses kept him out of school for long stretches and left him far behind his peers, according to WOKV.
Despite the rocky start, Starr found his way to the drums and eventually joined The Beatles in 1962, replacing Pete Best. The rest, as they say, is history. He went on to become one of the most recognized drummers in the world.
Beatles Contributions Beyond the Drum Kit
Starr was more than just the man keeping the beat. He earned his first songwriting credit on the Beatles track "What Goes On." He also contributed to the iconic album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," according to Boston 25 News.
He also stepped up to the microphone regularly. Starr sang lead on "Boys" on the band's debut British album. His warm, approachable voice gave the Beatles a different texture and made him a fan favorite in his own right.
Solo Career Loaded With Grammy Gold
After the Beatles broke up in 1970, Starr did not slow down. He built a solo career that earned him 29 Grammy Awards as an individual artist. He also won eight Grammys as part of the Beatles, bringing his total to 37, according to WSOC TV.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 alongside his bandmates. Later, he received one of Britain's highest honors when he was knighted, adding "Sir" to his name. The boy from Liverpool who nearly died twice had become rock royalty.
Peace and Love at 86: A Birthday Tradition Lives On
Every year on his birthday, Starr asks fans around the world to pause at noon and say "peace and love." He has kept up this tradition for years. At 86, he shows no sign of stopping, according to WPXI.
The message is simple but it means a lot to his fans. Starr has always said peace and love are the values that guide him. On Tuesday, millions of people around the world answered his call — just as they do every July 7.
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