Ringo Starr

• Genre: Classic Rock
• Hometown: Liverpool, England
• Ringo Starr Website

About

Every non-metalhead's favorite rock 'n' roll drummer had a string of big chart hits in the early 1970s after the Beatles' breakup, covering standards, '50s pop, and country tunes -- most famously with "You're Sixteen." His old bandmates lent a hand on his biggest hit album, the aptly titled Ringo (1973), but between movie gigs and alcohol intake he had a hard time weathering the changing musical climate of the late '70s and '80s. A few of his albums weren't even released stateside until after his All Starr Band became a concert smash in 1989. Always a charismatic actor, Starr married former Bond girl Barbara Bach, with whom he starred in the 1979 cult classic Caveman. He is the reason that scores of people have taken up the drums, as illustrated beautifully on the Young Fresh Fellows song "My Friend Ringo."

- Nick Dedina