Top quotes by Ringo Starr

Gene Autry was the most. It may sound like a joke - Go and have a look in my bedroom, It's covered with Gene Autry posters. He was my first musical influence. Votes: 20

That's all drugs and alcohol do, they cut off your emotions in the end. Votes: 17

I feel the older I get, the more I'm learning to handle life. Being on this quest for a long time, it's all about finding yourself. Votes: 16

And so we went away to play, and we'd come back to Liverpool. And while we were doing this - 'cuz we did it for two years. And then we'd go to Germany, and that's where I met the Beatles. Votes: 16

Being in The Beatles was a short, incredible period of my life. I had 22 years leading up to it, and it was all over eight years later. Votes: 14

I mean, I was born the day war broke out, but I don't remember all the bombs though they did actually break up Liverpool, you know. I remember when I was a little older, there was big gaps in all the streets where houses used to be. We used to play over them. Votes: 14

I was in George Martin's studio in Amsterdam and he was telling me, 'They come in here and it takes them three days to do a bass line.' Well I'm not from that era. Votes: 11

The second side of Abbey Road is my favorite. Votes: 10

America: It's like Britain, only with buttons. Votes: 10

John had Julian and I had Zak so we'd try to do the fatherly things. We'd try to do manly things too; we'd go to the pub and bring Maureen and Cynthia a Babycham or something- a real Liverpool attitude Votes: 10

People only look at me as a Beatle, but my friends look at me as a whole person. That's how life works, but it's not bugging me anymore. Votes: 8

Drumming is my middle name. Votes: 8

George was getting alot of independence for himself in those days. He was writing more, and wanted things to go his way - where, when we first started things basically went John and Paul's way. You know, 'cuz they were the writers. Votes: 8

Ringo: 'I had no schooling before I joined The Beatles and no schooling after The Beatles. Life is a great education. Votes: 8

I get by with a little help from my friends. Votes: 7

We will miss George for his sense of love, his sense of music and his sense of laughter. Votes: 7

My occupation is syncopation. But, every time, my syncopation is different, because I can never play the same fill twice. I just can't, never have been able to. Votes: 7

Every time, my syncopation is different, because I can never play the same fill twice. I just can't, never have been able to. Even as a Beatle, they'd say, 'Oh, double-track that.' I don't know how you do that, because when I'm in a fill I'm sort of this blackout, just this pure me coming out and I can't pure me the same, twice. So, that's that. Votes: 7

I'm quite honored by it. They [people] tell me that , 'If it hadn't of been for you, I wouldn't have played drums.' Hey, don't blame me, I was just up there doing my stuff. So no, I never take it as any real pressure. Votes: 7

I've never been able to sit round on my own and play drums, practice in the back room, never been able to. I've always played with other musicians. It's how I play, there's no joy for me in playing on my own, bashing away. I need a bass, a piano, guitar, whatever, and then I can play. Votes: 4

I'm not sleeping with all the women I appear with. Votes: 4

I've said this over and over again, but I love being in a band. Votes: 4

I don't collect any memorabilia. I wish I'd have kept everything I had. But who knew you had to keep it. Just gave it away. And we lost so much and we didn't look after a lot of it. Votes: 4

And I came back and it was great, 'cuz George had set up all these flowers all over the studio saying welcome home. So then we got it together again. I always felt it was better on the White one for me. We were more like a band, you know. Votes: 3

Everything government touches turns to crap. Votes: 3

When you're in a band - before it got to grunge - you dressed the bit. So yeah, I've always had an attitude with the clothes. Votes: 2

I am the best rock drummer on the planet. Votes: 2

I know when I feel good when I play. There's a closeness with musicians you only get from playing live, even in the studio it's still playing live. For me, it's what expands my soul. Votes: 2

I think the most exciting thing is that you expect people our age to know the music, but actually a lot of kids know the music, and if anything is left, we have left really good music, and that's the important part, not the mop-tops or whatever. Votes: 1

For me, God is in my life. I don't hide from that... I think the search has been on since the '60s. Votes: 0

Every night there's a moment that I just wanna go back to bed. I just get nervous. Then I run on (stage) and as soon as I grab the mic then I'm fine. Votes: 0

I'm nervous ahead of every gig. I feel like running away three seconds before I'm due on stage. But I'm all right as soon as I get the mic in my hand. Votes: 0

Do you remember when everyone began analyzing Beatles songs..I don't think I ever understood what some of them were supposed to be about Votes: 0

I used to wear different rings when I first got called Ringo in about 19, about, umm, '59 I got called Ringo. Votes: 0

I'd like to be in a man band, but with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and Keith Richards. We'd have a rocky edge. Votes: 0

I'd like to end up sort of unforgettable. Votes: 0

I've never really done anything to create what has happened. It creates itself. I'm here because it happened. But I didn't do anything to make it happen apart from saying 'Yes' Votes: 0

I don't like talking. It's how I'm built. Some people gab all day and some play it smogo. I don't mind talking or smiling, it's just I don't do it very much. I haven't got a smiling face or a talking mouth. Votes: 0

I don't talk about myself in the third person, and I laugh at people who do. Votes: 0

When I was thirteen I only wanted to be a drummer. Votes: 0

I'm like everyone else, on the stage it's good. Not too much fun in the hotel or the airplane or the bus, but you got to do it. Votes: 0

At the end of the day, I can end up just totally wacky, because I've made mountains out of molehills. With meditation, I can keep them as molehills. Votes: 0

I like Beethoven, especially the poems. Votes: 0

People in Liverpool don't move very far, you know. Votes: 0

I love the modern technology now. Votes: 0

And the White Album is important to me for different reasons. One - I had left the band on the White Album. Votes: 0

First and foremost I am a drummer. After that, I'm other things... But I didn't play drums to make money. Votes: 0

When they come here, the English make a choice: New York or L.A. L.A. suited me better, I just feel comfortable here. Votes: 0

And in a marriage you can't TRY and be married. You're married or you're not married... as far as I'm concerned. Votes: 0

A lot of the players I'm with, thank God, we're all still vertical. We've lost so many great players through the years, and we're still standing, as Elton John says. Votes: 0

Beatles, women and children first! Votes: 0

Believe me, I wish this song was yours instead of mine. Votes: 0

F irst and foremost I am a drummer. After that, I'm other things. ...But I didn't play drums to make money. I played drums because I loved them. ...My soul is that of a drummer....It came to where I had to make a decision -- I was going to be a drummer. Everything else goes now. I play drums. It was a conscious moment in my life when I said the rest of things were getting in the way. I didn't do it to be come rich and famous, I did it because it was the love of my life. Votes: 0

Fondest memory of being a Beatle: Having three brothers. Votes: 0

For me, I want to get across the stage to the people. I want to point at you, thirty, forty rows back, and you know I'm pointing at you, and we're having a laugh and getting it together. Votes: 0

From 13, I wanted to play drums. I wanted to play with good people and I'm still doing it. I still love it so that's why I do it. Votes: 0

Gaps can be very emotional. I mean, that's in my drumming. When I drum, you know, I don't need to drum all over the track. I play with the singer and I can back off. Votes: 0

I am a big Beatles fan. And, you know, unbeknownst to anyone, I used to be one. But I have no problems of putting titles and lines from other songs in my songs, because they're great lines and great titles. Votes: 0

I am truly grateful. I'm a grateful human being. Votes: 0

I am, I definitely am. I'm really excited about that... Votes: 0

I couldn't put my finger on one reason why we broke up. It was time, and we were spreading out. They were spreading out more than I was. I would've stayed with the band. Votes: 0

I don't particularly like messages, because everybody takes whatever they take from whatever. Votes: 0

I feel as though that was someone else playing. I was possessed! Votes: 0

I get on with kids and I feel that's because I am one. Votes: 0

I hate click tracks. A lot of people I know like to use click tracks. Like my son is perfect on the click tracks. It makes me to edgy. Votes: 0

I hate click tracks. I'm to busy in the click track to feel my own heart rhythm, my own soul beat. Votes: 0

I have a trainer who comes three times a week and just listens to me moan... and I keep fit and keep moving... and I do watch what I eat. I am a vegetarian... I can't eat crazy food. I'm highly allergic to onions and garlic and spices... I've never had a pizza, never had a curry. Votes: 0

I have no anonymity.I've not had a drink in nine and a half years. That's my whole story right there. Votes: 0

I hope the fans will take up meditation instead of drugs. Votes: 0

I learned to knit in hospital. They give you stuff to do to keep you busy because you're so ill. Votes: 0

I like playing with a live band and I've got my act and we're fine. Votes: 0

I love being in a band. I love playing with other human beings. I've never practiced drums unless there was another human being in the room. Votes: 0

I love that about the Beatles, that the music is still going on more than the haircut, you know. Votes: 0

I made all my mistakes playing with people. Votes: 0

I mean, women are very important to me. I don't know, they just drive me crazy. Votes: 0

I met The Beatles while we were playing in Germany. We'd seen them in Liverpool, but they were a nothing little band then, just putting it together. In fact, they weren't really a band at all. Votes: 0

I never studied anything, really. I didn't study the drums. I joined bands and made all the mistakes onstage. Votes: 0

I never take it as any real pressure. It's like my son. I only gave him one lesson. When I went to give him the second one he said, 'Oh, I can do that dad.' I said, 'Now you're on your own.' Votes: 0

I play weird. I'm always just behind. We [drummers] only have so much room. We're not guitarists. Votes: 0

I think I'm more prolific in the songwriting. Votes: 0

I think we should have understanding and love and peace. I mean, peace and love has been my situation. You hear that in the song. I'm trying to promote that now: peace and love and understanding. Votes: 0

I used to wish I could write songs like the others - and I've tried but I just can't. I get the words all right, but whenever I think of a tune and sing it to the others they always say 'Yeah, it always sounds like such a thing' and when they point it out I see what they mean. But I did get a part credit as a composer on one - it was called What Goes On. Votes: 0

I want to deal with what's in front of me now to the best of my abilities, and sometimes that's not very good. But a lot of the days it is really great. Votes: 0

I was the new boy. It was like joining a new class at school where everybody knows everybody else but me. Votes: 0

If you could play, I'd play with you all night. But if I'm just playing by myself, it gets boring pretty quick. Votes: 0

If you made a record, I'd probably pick out tracks that I like and download that. That's just how it is. Votes: 0

I'm a musician and I'm really blessed, because in my life if I can hold the sticks, I can play. Votes: 0

I'm always good for starting a bit of a tune and the first verse, but after that I just can never go anywhere. It takes me years, that's why I'm so slow. Votes: 0

I'm left handed and I'm playing a right handed kit... That's why everyone thought, 'Wow, he's a genius,' but all I was doing was trying to play backwards... It's one of those mad accidents, you can't learn it. Votes: 0

I'm not going to say anything because nobody believes me when I do. Votes: 0

I'm not the creative one. I know that. If Rory Storm hadn't come along... and then The Beatles... I would have continued running around in teddyboy gangs. Today, well... I'd probably be a laborer. I'm glad I'm not, of course. It'll be nice to be part of history... some sort of history anyway. What I'd like to be is in school history books and be read by kids. Votes: 0

I'm on my feet and I'm doing what I love to do, and I'm in a profession, as a musician, where we can go on for as long as we can go on. Votes: 0

I'm the greatest in this world. Votes: 0

I'm warning you with peace and love I have too much to do. So no more fan mail. Thank you, thank you. And no objects to be signed, nothing. Peace and love, peace and love. Votes: 0

In 1989 I sort of got back into the music business and one of the reasons I got back in is [that] I put the first All Stars band together. It's actually progressed from that every other year, or every two years, I've put that together...more and more realizing that's what I do. Votes: 0

It all comes down to who you crucify, you either kiss the past or future good-bye. Votes: 0

I've always been playing with other people, and that's how I learned. I got a kit of drums I couldn't play, but I also knew a guitarist and a friend of mine played bass and could teach us bass, and we just played. And I learned... Votes: 0

I've always felt that a space is as good as a fill. Votes: 0

I've been asked to write my autobiography and really they only want 8 years (1962-1970), and I keep saying it would be five volumes before I even got into the band! Votes: 0

I've never broken a bone in my life, or in my body. Votes: 0

I've never gone to the bedroom when I was starting out and practiced away. Votes: 0

I've never had any big ideas about being the solo. Votes: 0

Last night I had a peace dream... Votes: 0

Let's make my birthday, July the 7th at noon, Peace and Love Day. Everybody go, 'Peace and love.' In the office, on the bus, wherever. It's still peace and love for me, I'm a product of the 60s and it was a very influential period in my life, and you know, my head was turned around a bit, my eyes were opened as it were. In fact, I even have it on my arm, 'Peace and love'. I see nothing wrong with peace and love. Votes: 0

My soul is that of a drummer.... I didn't do it to become rich and famous. I did it because it was the love of my life. Votes: 0

No, no, no, I don't snort no more, I'm tired of waking up on the floor. No thank you please, it only makes me sneeze, then it makes it hard to find the door. Votes: 0

Of course I'm ambitious. What's wrong with that? Otherwise you sleep all day. Votes: 0

Peace and love, peace and love! Votes: 0

People only look at me as a Beatle but my friends look at me as a whole person. That's how life works, but it's not bugging me anymore. Votes: 0

Ringo: 'I do get emotional when I think back about those times. My make-up is emotional. I'm an emotional human being. I'm very sensitive and it took me till I was forty-eight to realize that was the problem! We were honest with each other and we were honest about the music. The music was positive. It was positive in love. They did write - we all wrote - about other things, but the basic Beatles message was Love. Votes: 0

Roy Orbison was the only act that The Beatles didn't want to follow. Votes: 0

So this is America. They must be out of their minds. Votes: 0

Take a dose of rock and roll, and wash it down with cool clear soul. Votes: 0

Ten years from now, it'll all be the blues because that's the only speed I'll be able to play Votes: 0

That's when we decided to stop in '66. Everyone thought we toured for years, you know, but we didn't. I joined in '62, and we'd finished touring in '66 to go into the studio where we could hear each other... and create any fantasy that came out of anybody's brain. Votes: 0

The Beatles were just four guys that loved each other. That's all they'll ever be. Votes: 0

The business is so driven by money, everyone's trying to get it right. Votes: 0

The drummer's always going to be there. They're the floor of the whole deal and everyone can stand up on you. Votes: 0

The kids are interested in the music of them. They're not interested in mop-tops and Beatle boots and crazy suits. It's all down to the music now - that's what they hear, and that's what they love. Votes: 0

The main thing is not to be afraid of that, to get to a place where you'll go gracefully, not screaming and kicking up a fuss. Votes: 0

The point is it is amazing that the generations have joined in the Beatle madness and love the music. Who knew? Votes: 0

The trouble with leaving your feet on the ground is you never get to take your pants off. Votes: 0

The White Album is important to me for different reasons. One - I had left the band on the White Album. Votes: 0

There's a woman in the United States who predicted the plane we were traveling on would crash. Now, a lot of people would like to think we were scared into saying a prayer. What we did actually--we drank. Votes: 0

They paint you red before they sacrifice you. It's a different religion from ours - I think. Votes: 0

They said do what you want, because if we don't like it, no-one will hear it. Votes: 0

This was the point of our lives when we found pills, uppers. That's the only way we could continue playing for so long. They were called Preludin, and you could buy them over the counter. We never thought we were doing anything wrong, but we'd get really wired and go on for days. So with beer and Preludin, that's how we survived. Votes: 0

Wake up meat head, don't pretend that you are dead. Votes: 0

We [the band] had this open door policy - if you walked in the door, you were asked to play Votes: 0

We thought we'd be really big in Liverpool. Votes: 0

We'd get in the car and i'd look over at John and say 'Christ. Look at you. You're a bloody phenomenon!' and just laugh because it was only him. Votes: 0

Well, I'm getting happier all the time, which is very nice. Votes: 0

When I run on stage now, a thousand people don't even see you, they're in their phone. Votes: 0

When I'm ninety-five and it's 'This is Your Life' time, they'll still be referring to me as 'ex-Beatle'...it does have it's advantages. It's still the best way to get a good table at a resturant. Votes: 0

With God's help, I've not had a drink in nine and a half years. That's my whole story right there. And because of that, I'm doing this. I'm making records, I'm touring. I was so involved in just getting brain damaged, I wasn't doing anything. I had great ideas, many notebooks filled with notes, some of them I can read and some of them I just can't read, but I really didn't do anything constructive, it was all just good ideas. Now I'm trying to lead a constructive life a day at a time. Votes: 0

You either kiss the future or the past goodbye. Votes: 0

You got to pay your dues if you want to sing the blues...And you know it don't come easy. Votes: 0

You're like the devil with horns in your head, the only way I'll get you is to get you in bed. Votes: 0