#38: Ringo With A Little Help by Michael Starr

Ringo: With a Little Help, is the first in-depth biography of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, who kept the beat for an entire generation and who remains a rock icon over fifty years since the Beatles took the world by storm. With a Little Help traces the entire arc of Ringos' remarkable life and career, from his sickly childhood to his life as The Worlds Most Famous drummer to his triumphs, addictions, and emotional battles following the breakup of the Beatles as he comes to terms with his legacy. Born in 1940 as Richard Starkey in The Dingle, one of Liverpools' most gritty, rough-and-tumble neighborhoods, he rose from a hardscrabble childhood marked by serious illnesses, long hospital stays, and little schooling to emerge, against all odds, as a locally renowned drummer. Taking the stage name Ringo Starr, his big break with the Beatles rocketed him to the pinnacle of worldwide acclaim in a remarkably short time. He was the last member of the Beatles to join the group but also the most vulnerable, and his post-Beatles career was marked by chart-topping successes, a jet-setting life of excess and alcohol abuse, and, ultimately, his rebirth as one of rock's revered elder statesman.

• Hardcover: 424 pages
• Publisher: Backbeat Books (July 7, 2015)
• ISBN: 9781617131202

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About the Author

MICHAEL SETH STARR is the TV Editor for The New York Post, where he's written about television for the past twenty years. He has authored biographies of Peter Sellers, Art Carney, Joey Bishop, Bobby Darin, Raymond Burr and Redd Foxx. And no - he is not related to Ringo Starr.

REVIEW:

FAB!!!!

Everyone on Earth knows who The Beatles are, and if you don't, I suggest you get out from under that rock. 

Ringo is my fave of the fab four, and when I saw this book, I couldn't resist. I know tons about John, Paul and George, but knew little about Ringo. Ever charismatic, and always bouncing around to the beat of his drums, Ringo is interesting to me. I had no idea how cool he really is though. I mean, I imagined it, but learned so much about him in this book. This book was a bit of an eye-opening read for me. I knew he was the one who replaced Pete Best at the drums, but the details were lost on me. This read brings a clear picture of his life before The Beatles and the transition into the band. It wasn't always easy for Ringo, but he earned his place quickly all the same. 

After reading the book, Ringo is even groovier to me.

Of course, like any good biography, there were vignettes of the whole band, but the book did tend to stay focused on Ringo and his aspect of it all. Though this book was written by another, you really felt like you knew what Ringo felt during certain times of his career. 

I also thought it was cute that the author shares the last name but is no relation. It was a nice way to introduce himself to the reader.

Fans of the fab four, Ringo fans and even fans of celebrity bios will love this book. It's quite detailed and gives you more insight than before.

4/5

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