Ringo Starr’s 86th Year: Why the Beatle Still Drums with Relentless Energy

Key points

• Starr is currently on tour with his All-Starr Band, having recently performed at the State Theatre Center for the Arts in Easton, Pennsylvania, with a scheduled return to Washington, D.C., on Monday.
• The drummer attributes his continued activity to a straightforward mindset, stating, 'I keep going because I keep going,' and emphasizes the necessity of a full band to perform his catalog effectively.
• His dietary habits remain simple, with Starr noting he 'still just eat broccoli,' a detail that aligns with his previous public discussions about minimalist eating routines.
• Starr describes his drumming approach as having a 'mini swing' rather than a rigid rock beat, explaining that he avoids excessive fills to ensure he does not interfere with the emotional delivery of the singers.
• He recalls a specific collaboration with Paul McCartney where they decided to sing a song as a double, a change Starr accepted as a welcome variation in their performance dynamic.

Background

This profile follows recent coverage of Starr’s personal habits, including his well-known preference for a two-ingredient goat cheese sandwich, which he claims aids digestion. It also follows broader cultural discussions regarding the longevity of rock icons, such as recent tributes to Dolly Parton and historical retrospectives of major rock festivals like Knebworth 1976, which highlighted the stamina of legendary performers.

Why it matters

Starr’s continued presence on the global stage at age 86 challenges assumptions about the physical limits of rock and roll performance. His insistence on maintaining a full band and a specific rhythmic style underscores the enduring value of live musical collaboration and the personal discipline required to sustain a career spanning over six decades.

What to watch

Starr is scheduled to perform in Washington, D.C., on Monday as part of his ongoing tour. His continued touring schedule suggests he has no immediate plans to retire from live performance, maintaining his status as an active figure in the music industry.