Beatles drummer Ringo Starr has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Liverpool on his 86th birthday.
The musician, born Richard Starkey in Liverpool’s Dingle district, received the Honorary Doctor of Music during a private ceremony at Beverly Hills Park in Los Angeles, ahead of his birthday.
University Chancellor Wendy Beetlestone travelled to California to present the award, praising Starr’s contribution to music and the way he has helped shape Liverpool’s identity and worldwide reputation.
Accepting the honour, Starr thanked the university for making the journey to present the degree and reflected on his Liverpool roots.
He encouraged this year’s graduates to follow their dreams, recalling how his family had initially discouraged him from pursuing a career as a full-time drummer.
“It all worked out,” he said.
The Beatles, from left, John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney appear in Liverpool, England on July 10, 1964.
He added: “I want to thank the University of Liverpool for this Honorary Degree and for coming all the way to LA to bestow it. I’m really honoured.
“Today is my birthday, and as everyone knows, I was born in Liverpool. It is my hometown and I’ll always love it.
“I’ve been thinking back on my life a lot lately – and when I chose to become a drummer full time – my family discouraged me.
“And they could have been right! But they weren’t – it all worked out.
“So to all the graduates back in Liverpool – I send Peace & Love and want to say don’t be afraid to follow your dreams – or take that right turn and see where it goes…. it could lead to an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Liverpool.”
The Beatles Credit: PA
Starr rose to global fame as the drummer with The Beatles, the band that transformed popular music after forming in Liverpool in the early 1960s.
Alongside a successful solo career spanning more than five decades, he has remained an ambassador for his home city and is well known for promoting his message of “peace and love”.
The University of Liverpool said the honorary degree recognised Starr’s outstanding contribution to music, culture and Liverpool’s international reputation.
University of Liverpool Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tim Jones, said: “The University of Liverpool is a renowned authority on the academic study of The Beatles and this honorary degree expresses our sincere respect for the contribution Ringo has made to music and to Liverpool’s heritage and culture. I’m delighted to welcome him into the university community.”
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