Sir Ringo Starr has recalled the moment he was asked to join The Beatles.
The legendary drummer became a member of the Liverpool rockers – completed by Sir Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison – back in 1962, first recording with them in September one month after his live debut.
Reflecting on the anniversary on Wednesday (15.08.18), he tweeted: "56 years ago Wednesday, 15 August John Paul and George invited me to become part of the Beatles it was a great day for me peace and love.(sic)"
Ringo – whose real name is Richard Starkey – replaced original drummer Pete Best, who has since opened up about being told he was getting kicked out of the band.
He previously said: "[Brian Epstein] said ‘I’ve got some bad news for you. The boys want you out and Ringo in.’ He said [Beatles producer] George Martin wasn’t too pleased with my playing [and] the boys thought I didn’t fit in."
Earlier this year Ringo, 78, received a knighthood, which he accepted from Prince William at Buckingham Palace.
He said: "It means a lot actually. It means recognition for the things we’ve done. I was really pleased to accept this.
"I’ll be wearing it at breakfast."
Ringo was accompanied by his wife Barbara Bach at the Palace, and was quite nervous accepting the accolade without his Beatles bandmates – Sir Paul McCartney, who was knighted in 1997, and the late, great John Lennon, who was killed in 1980, and George Harrison, who passed away in 2001.
He said: "I was a bit shaky today on my own."
Ringo Starr reflects on Beatles anniversary
