Born on July 7, 1940, in Liverpool, England, Ringo Starr became a pivotal member of the Beatles when he joined the band in 1962, replacing original drummer Pete Best. With his significant contributions to the band’s sound and style, Starr played on all of the Beatles’ albums. Beyond his drumming skills, Starr also showcased his talent as a lead vocalist on hits like “With a Little Help from My Friends” and “Yellow Submarine.”
Following the Beatles’ success, Starr embarked on a successful solo career as both a musician and an actor. He released numerous solo albums and singles and also worked on various films and television shows. Despite his accomplishments, Starr remains grounded in his origins and holds a genuine appreciation for live music. In a 2018 interview with Howard Stern, alongside his brother-in-law Joe Walsh, Starr shared some of the best live performances he has ever witnessed, highlighting the following artists:
Bob Dylan
Starr had the opportunity to collaborate with Dylan and even played alongside him on the song “Heart of Mine,” alongside Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones. Starr recalls Dylan’s greatness, saying, “I’ve seen Bob 100 times and you get what you get. And you still love it.” He fondly reminisces about seeing Dylan perform at the Albert Hall in the ’60s when Dylan’s transition towards a more rock-oriented sound drew both adoration and criticism from fans.
View this post on Instagram
Eric Clapton
Starr recounts a memorable concert in Los Angeles where he saw Clapton perform. To his amazement, Carlos Santana joined Clapton on stage, creating a magical musical moment. Starr recalls, “Eric just took his hands off the guitar and gave it to him. I thought, that’s big. I get tingles thinking about that night.” Clapton’s association with the Beatles goes beyond that, as he played a captivating guitar solo on their classic track “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and introduced Starr to the influential group The Band.
View this post on Instagram
Jimi Hendrix
Starr acknowledges Hendrix as one of the best guitarists he has ever seen. He vividly remembers seeing Hendrix perform in the clubs of London before his meteoric rise to fame. Starr shares an intriguing story about how Hendrix performed a live version of the Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” shortly after the album’s release, with the Beatles themselves in the audience. The performance left a lasting impression on Starr and the audience.
View this post on Instagram
Delaney & Bonnie
Starr recalls seeing the American blues rock duo Delaney & Bonnie and considers them one of the best acts he has ever seen live. The duo, consisting of Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett, made significant contributions to blues rock and the development of southern rock. Starr specifically mentions them, saying, “One was Bonnie and Delaney [Bramlett].”
View this post on Instagram