Ringo Starr, the iconic drummer of The Beatles, has been profoundly influenced by music throughout his life.
From his early days in Liverpool to his global fame with the Fab Four, music has been both a sanctuary and a driving force for him – and his work has made it into iconic artists’ favourite songs lists across generations.
But the drummer has revealed one of his own inspirations, that helped shape his and The Beatles’ music: Ray Charles. In a 2005 interview with CBC, Starr revealed that his favorite song is the American star’s ‘Tell the Truth’.
“I love it, I love the live version”, said Starr. “Just always blowing me away.”
‘Tell the Truth’ was originally recorded by The “5” Royales in 1959. Ray Charles, known for his soulful interpretations, covered the song the same year, infusing it with his distinctive style.
The live version, in particular, showcases Charles’ dynamic performance and the energetic response of the audience, elements that seemed to resonate deeply with Starr.
Ray Charles’ influence on The Beatles extended beyond Starr’s personal admiration. John Lennon, for instance, also held Charles in high regard.
In a 1968 interview with Rolling Stone, Lennon praised Charles’ renditions of Beatles songs, saying, “Well, Ray Charles’ version of ‘Yesterday’ – that’s beautiful. And ‘Eleanor Rigby’ is a groove. I just dig the strings on that. Like ’30s strings.”
Paul McCartney also acknowledged Charles’ impact during Starr’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. He recounted an early experience when The Beatles were auditioning drummers and played Charles’ ‘What’d I Say.’
McCartney noted: “Most of the drummers couldn’t nail the drum part. It was a little difficult to do. But Ringo nailed it. I remember the moment just standing there and looking at John and then looking at George, that was ‘the moment.’ So you know, that was the beginning, really, of the Beatles.”
The Beatles’ connection to Ray Charles wasn’t limited to admiration – it also influenced their musical collaborations. George Harrison, after attending a Ray Charles concert in London in 1967, was impressed by keyboardist Billy Preston’s performance. This encounter led Harrison to invite Preston to collaborate with The Beatles.
Ray Charles’ legacy includes several covers of Beatles songs, bridging the gap between different musical genres and the generations between the artists.