Happy Birthday Ringo Starr

Ringo was born Richard Starkey on July 7,1940, in Liverpool. His parents divorced when he was three, and his mother Elsie remarried Harry Graves who encouraged Ringo’s passion for music.

He help start the Eddie Miles Band, which later became Eddie Clayton and the Clayton Squares, and in 1959 joined the Raving Texans – backing band for local singer Rory Storm. It was while playing in these Liverpool bands that he gained the nickname Ringo Starr – the first part due to the rings he wore, and the second because of his solos the locals called ‘Starr Time’.

Ringo will gather with family, friends and fans to celebrate his 74th birthday today with a noontime "Peace and Love Moment" outside of the Capitol Records Building in Hollywood.

Here's Ringo and his old Beatles buddy Paul getting ready for the Grammys earlier this year.

Join me weekday morning at 6:30 for "The Beatles Breakfast Jam".