The world’s richest drummer learnt how to play during a two-year stay in hospital after contracting tuberculosis. Ringo Starr was the drummer for The Beatles and is now said to be worth more than $300million (more than £230million).
The 84-year-old is still performing and offering drumming masterclasses with a wealth that would have been unthinkable in his childhood growing up in Dingle, Liverpool. Ringo shot to fame alongside the other three-quarters of the Fab Four in the 1960s with their now-classic songs such as ‘I Wanna Hold Your Hand’ and ‘Help!’. Their massive international fame made all four members very wealthy and Ringo tops a number of ‘richest drummer’ lists.
Self-taught, Ringo’s drumming style is characterised by his left-handed playing and in 2011, Rolling Stone named him as the fifth-greatest drummer of all time.
In the 2004 book The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia by Bill Harry, Ringo was quoted as saying that he was “no good on the technical things” and added: “I’m your basic offbeat drummer with funny frills.”
He is said to have influenced musicians like Phil Collins and Dave Grohl due to his unique style of playing. Drum tuition website Drumeo said of Ringo’s genius: “From his signature ‘windshield wiper’ hi-hat playing to ‘dancing’ and throwing his shoulder into the groove while he drums, the way he moves affects his feel and his swing.
“He’s notable for his simplicity, unlike many drummers who are known for their technical prowess or speed. The Beatles’ music didn’t call for a showy drummer – they needed a drummer who could write the right parts.”
After The Beatles, Ringo played drums on tracks for both John Lennon and George Harrison and created his own band, Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band and has continued to release music, most recently with a country album in January 2025.
Ringo is married to actress Barbra Bach but has three children from his previous marriage to Maureen Cox, who died in 1994 from leukaemia.
Ringo was not the first drummer for the legendary band, Pete Best was in the original lineup when the Beatles were known as the Quarrymen. Pete Best carried on drumming and recently retired at 83 via a statement his brother, Roag posted on social media.
In a post on social media on Saturday (April 5), Roag said:”Well, what an absolutely wonderful ride we’ve had. However, everything comes to pass.
“My brother Pete Best has announced today he is retiring from personal appearances and performing with the group. His daughter has informed me it’s due to personal circumstances.”
While he said he was initially upset with being fired from The Beatles to make way for Ringo, Pete told The Guardian in 2024: “As far as I’m concerned, it happened 60-odd years ago, and I’ve lived my life, I’ve had a great life. It did cause me initial heartache and resentment but that’s showbusiness.”
Of course there are many other drummers who have accumulated a great deal of wealth thanks to their amazing talent.
Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl is estimated to be worth more than $260million, while Phil Collins is said to be worth more than $250million.
But some lists have Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich’s wealth close to Ringo’s, closely followed by U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr.