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BABY RINGO (Room 102)
Richard Starkey, an only child, was born in a modest two-bedroomed terraced house at 9 Madryn Street in the Dingle area of Liverpool on 7th July 1940, during the height of the Second World War. The last to join The Beatles, Ringo was, in fact, the first-born among the group. His parents, Elsie and Richard Starkey, separated when he was still very young, and he was brought up by his mother and, later, by his stepfather, Harry Graves—a kind and supportive figure who helped provide some stability during Ringo’s turbulent early years.
Ringo (a nickname he would earn years later due to his fondness for wearing multiple rings) was a sickly child, suffering from a series of serious health issues. At the age of six, he spent a year in hospital recovering from peritonitis, and later, as a teenager, contracted tuberculosis, requiring another extended stay in a sanatorium. These illnesses severely disrupted his education, and he left school with few qualifications. However, it was during one of his hospital stays that he discovered a deep passion for music. Given a makeshift drum to help with his rehabilitation, young Richard developed a fascination with rhythm that would never leave him.
From humble working-class roots in a post-war industrial city, Ringo’s journey was anything but easy. Yet, through perseverance and natural charisma, he carved his place in musical history. Joining The Beatles in 1962, he completed the Fab Four, not only providing a steady backbeat but also adding a unique personality and warmth that endeared him to fans across the world. A “Starr” was indeed born—quietly, modestly, but with a beat that would echo across generations.
Artwork © Shannon
BABY RINGO (Room 102)
Richard Starkey, an only child, was born in a modest two-bedroomed terraced house at 9 Madryn Street in the Dingle area of Liverpool on 7th July 1940, during the height of the Second World War. The last to join The Beatles, Ringo was, in fact, the first-born among the group. His parents, Elsie and Richard Starkey, separated when he was still very young, and he was brought up by his mother and, later, by his stepfather, Harry Graves—a kind and supportive figure who helped provide some stability during Ringo’s turbulent early years.
Ringo (a nickname he would earn years later due to his fondness for wearing multiple rings) was a sickly child, suffering from a series of serious health issues. At the age of six, he spent a year in hospital recovering from peritonitis, and later, as a teenager, contracted tuberculosis, requiring another extended stay in a sanatorium. These illnesses severely disrupted his education, and he left school with few qualifications. However, it was during one of his hospital stays that he discovered a deep passion for music. Given a makeshift drum to help with his rehabilitation, young Richard developed a fascination with rhythm that would never leave him.
From humble working-class roots in a post-war industrial city, Ringo’s journey was anything but easy. Yet, through perseverance and natural charisma, he carved his place in musical history. Joining The Beatles in 1962, he completed the Fab Four, not only providing a steady backbeat but also adding a unique personality and warmth that endeared him to fans across the world. A “Starr” was indeed born—quietly, modestly, but with a beat that would echo across generations.
Artwork © Shannon