At 84, Ringo Starr FINALLY reveals what Yoko Ono did with the Beatles

 

 

 

 

 

Ringo Starr, the iconic drummer of The Beatles, has lived a life as dynamic and enduring as the music that made him a household name.

Born Richard Starkey in 1940 in the working-class neighborhood of Dingle, Liverpool, his journey to international stardom was anything but smooth.

His early years were marked by health challenges, family hardships, and limited formal education, yet it was precisely these obstacles that helped shape his resilience and fuel his deep passion for music.

As a child, Ringo spent extended periods in hospitals due to peritonitis and later tuberculosis.

 

 

 

 

 

These long hospital stays kept him away from school but also brought him into contact with music in a unique way.

It was during one of these stays that he joined a hospital band, improvising with makeshift instruments and falling in love with drumming.

Encouraged by a neighbor and supported by his mother, who worked tirelessly to provide for him after his parents’ separation, Ringo developed his skills with home-made instruments and eventually received his first drum kit as a gift in 1957.

His musical journey began in earnest in local skiffle bands, where he played washboard and drums, eventually adopting the stage name Ringo Starr.

By 1960, he had joined Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, a popular rock and roll band that toured internationally and helped Ringo develop his stage presence and musical identity.

 

 

 

 

 

His first encounter with The Beatles came during a residency in Hamburg, Germany.

Although he was still with the Hurricanes, he occasionally sat in with The Beatles, laying the foundation for a seismic change in his life.

In August 1962, Ringo was invited to join The Beatles, replacing original drummer Pete Best.

His early days with the band weren’t without controversy—some fans protested his arrival—but his chemistry with John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison was undeniable.

Despite initial doubts from producer George Martin, Ringo’s drumming style quickly became an integral part of The Beatles’ sound.

 

 

 

 

 

His unique timing, personality, and unshakable groove helped elevate the band to unprecedented heights.

The Beatles’ meteoric rise, known as Beatlemania, brought Ringo international fame.

He was not only the steady heartbeat of the band but also an unexpected crowd favorite, known for his down-to-earth charm and comedic timing.

His performances in films like *A Hard Day’s Night* and *Help!* showcased his natural charisma and broadened his appeal beyond music.

Throughout the 1960s, The Beatles evolved musically and personally.

As the band experimented with new sounds, ideas, and lifestyles, tensions began to surface.

Ringo found himself at odds with the increasingly complex and strained dynamics within the group, particularly with McCartney’s perfectionism and Lennon’s emotional distance.

 

 

 

 

 

He briefly left the band during the recording of the *White Album* but was welcomed back with warmth, a moment that highlighted both the conflicts and the deep bonds within the group.

Following the death of manager Brian Epstein and the creative and commercial misstep of *Magical Mystery Tour*, the cracks in the Beatles’ foundation widened.

Their final recordings together—including *Abbey Road*—were made under growing strain.

By the end of 1969, Lennon had privately announced his departure, and McCartney would follow publicly in April 1970.

The Beatles were no more.

Ringo, however, did not fade into the background.

 

 

 

 

 

He launched a solo career that included the acclaimed albums *Sentimental Journey* and *Beaucoups of Blues*.

His 1973 self-titled album *Ringo*, featuring all three former bandmates on various tracks, produced hits like “Photograph” and “You’re Sixteen,” proving he was more than just the Beatles’ drummer.

He also ventured into acting and directing, collaborated on various musical projects, and, despite personal struggles including substance abuse and health scares, rebuilt his career.

Forming the All-Starr Band in 1989, he found a new niche that allowed him to blend his own hits with those of his bandmates, creating a dynamic live experience that resonated with fans across generations.

As the years passed, Ringo embraced his legacy while continuing to create.

Albums like *Time Takes Time*, *Why Not*, and *Postcards from Paradise* kept him creatively engaged.

He remained a vocal advocate for peace and nonviolence, famously ending many of his performances and public appearances with the phrase “Peace and love.”

Now in his 80s, Ringo’s energy and optimism remain as strong as ever.

 

 

 

 

 

Despite having weathered the highs and lows of fame, the loss of close friends, and shifting cultural tides, he continues to tour, record, and connect with fans.

While many continue to speculate on the causes of The Beatles’ breakup—often pointing fingers at individuals like Yoko Ono—Ringo himself has consistently taken a broader view.

He has emphasized that the split was a natural result of growing older, growing apart, and moving on with life.

In his words, “We were all 30 and married and changed… we couldn’t carry on that life anymore.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ringo Starr’s journey is a testament to perseverance, humility, and the enduring power of music.

From a sickly child in Liverpool to a global music icon, his life story defies simple narratives.

He is a survivor, a storyteller, and above all, a man who never stopped beating to his own rhythm.