The allure of the Beatles endures around the globe, with their music continuing to enchant audiences, and forthcoming major films about the band’s lives generating immense interest.
Consequently, numerous stories regarding the ’60s music legends persist in circulating. One particularly fascinating account provides a glimpse into what it was like to date Ringo Starr prior to his rise to fame.
A woman’s brother shared a story on Reddit, asserting that she met Ringo, then known by his real name, Richard Starkey, while at Butlin’s in North Wales. According to the story, the two allegedly began dating after meeting at the popular British holiday resort.
The brother penned: “My sister dated Ringo at Butlin’s in North Wales before he joined the Beatles. When the Beatles first televised appearance came out on UK TV in 1962, I (10M) and my sister (18F) both watched it.
“She suddenly sat bolt upright in her chair and said ‘I know him! That’s Dick Starkey’. Ringo had been playing with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes at a Butlin’s ‘holiday camp’, or Stalag as it was known to the clients, that our extended family went to, and it turns out she had a little vacation fling with him.”
The story has left people stunned, and many took to social media to express their astonishment at the extraordinary tale. They just couldn’t get over how the pair allegedly met.
A gobsmacked follower commented: “That’s wild. She must have some story about it all. Pretty unique situation. ‘Stalag’ is equally wild. Good grief.”
Another enthusiast was quick to exclaim: “That is just so crazy awesome!” Someone else wrote: “How cool!”
Delving into the details, it appears that the interaction did not develop into much else. The person at the heart of the story maintains that it amounted to no more than spending some time together.
For fans interested in obscure Beatles facts, it might be intriguing to explore the band’s early days associated with Butlin’s. Before skyrocketing to fame, the Fab Four performed for significantly smaller audiences.
The departure of original drummer Pete Best in 1962 over disputes with John Lennon and Paul McCartney prompted the search for his replacement. This was around the time when the Beatles secured their recording contract, and their thoughts turned to Ringo Starr whom they’d encountered during gigs in Hamburg.
Ringo occasionally stepped in for Best when needed, and McCartney always believed he gelled nicely with the group. It so happened that upon needing a full-time drummer, they discovered Ringo was engaged at a Butlin’s in Skegness playing with Rory Storm and Hurricanes.
An additional tidbit for Beatles fans: McCartney’s debut before an audience transpired at Butlin’s Pwllheli holiday camp in Wales, where he participated in a talent show.