Ringo Starr celebrates 86th birthday with honorary degree from University of Liverpool
The Beatles icon Ringo Starr has turned 86 by receiving an honorary degree from the University of Liverpool.
While Starr was not in Liverpool to get his honorary degree in his hometown, the university instead sent a delegation to Beverly Hills Park in Los Angeles to bestow the certificate upon him ahead of his birthday celebrations.
University of Liverpool chancellor and United States district judge, Wendy Beetlestone, who made Starr an Honorary Doctorate of Music at the prestigious school, said, “It is a great privilege to recognise Ringo, whose influential musical work, particularly in The Beatles, has helped shape the identity and global reputation of Liverpool.”
Beetlestone added, “His contribution has played a key role in making the city a place that inspires people to visit and to study. I was deeply honoured to have the opportunity to present Ringo with his award today and witness, first hand, the power of peace, love, and music.”
Meanwhile, Starr, who became the first member of The Beatles to be celebrated by a degree from the educational institution, said, “I want to thank the University of Liverpool for this Honorary Degree and for coming all the way to LA to bestow it. I’m really honoured.”
He emotionally added, “Today is my birthday, and as everyone knows, I was born in Liverpool. It is my hometown and I’ll always love it.”
Reflecting on his youth, the drumming legend shared, “I’ve been thinking back on my life a lot lately – and when I chose to become a drummer full time – my family discouraged me. And they could have been right! But they weren’t – it all worked out.”
In a poignant message to his fellow graduates, Ringo told them, “So to all the graduates back in Liverpool – I send Peace & Love and want to say don’t be afraid to follow your dreams – or take that right turn and see where it goes…. it could lead to an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Liverpool.”
In addition to turning 86, earlier this week, Starr announced details of a new East Coast tour of the United States for later this year.
The run of ten shows will stretch across September and October, kicking off on September 24th at the State Theatre in Easton, Pennsylvania, and concluding on October 7th at the Palace Theatre in Albany, New York.
Notably, the tour also includes a stop at the Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York, on October 1st, marking the first time Starr has returned to perform at the iconic venue since The Beatles last played there in 1964.
His latest album, Long Long Road, arrived in April. In a three-and-a-half-star review, Far Out wrote, “It has indeed been a ‘long, long road,’ and the thing worth celebrating is that an 85-year-old man with all the money in the world still enjoys that old-timey Americana music enough to make more of it.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.