How Does Ringo Starr Keep Rocking and Shining at Age 84?!

Shine After 50! December 6, 2024

Shining Star of the Month—Renowned Former Beatle, Drummer, Songwriter, and Actor Ringo Starr— (Born July 7, 1940)

I have been listening to and have loved music since childhood. One of my favorite memories was watching the Beatles’ renowned first appearance in the United States on the Ed Sullivan Show to crowds of screaming female teen fans (and a handful of male fans sprinkled in) on February 9, 1964, over 60 years ago.

The Beatles’ exploding popularity and meteoric rise on the pop charts prompted me to write a current events report titled “The Moptops”—their nickname early on in their career. Their long locks, which resembled mops, created a bit of scandal because they contrasted sharply with the conventional and much shorter haircuts sported by most men at that time.

I eagerly listened to the Beatles’ music during my childhood, teens, and twenties (and from time to time now, of course!). But, unlike some of my friends, I did not have a crush on any single member of the Beatles band.

Nevertheless, Ringo Starr always stood out for me. His energy, enthusiasm, and love for playing music caught my attention.

Yes, Ringo Starr is a star and celebrity because he played in one of the most famous rock bands in the world. However, I selected him as this month’s “shining star” because, at age 84, he embraces his life with delight. He also looks and acts way younger than most people his age.

Born in Dingle, an inner-city area of Liverpool, England on July 7, 1940, Ringo (whose birth name was Richard Starkey) experienced major health challenges as a child and teenager.

At age six, after developing peritonitis (an inflammation of the lining of the abdomen), Ringo’s appendix ruptured causing him to fall into a coma. He spent a year in the hospital recovering. Several years later, as an early teen, Ringo contracted pleurisy and tuberculosis and spent two years in a sanitorium. He never caught up academically.

However, his time in the hospital had a silver lining. To help him stay busy, someone brought him tambourines, maracas, and 7-inch drums. Once he hit the drums, he fell in love with drumming.

As a young adult, Ringo became a drummer for a top Liverpool band, Rory and the Hurricanes. He later heard and met the Beatles and was soon invited to become their drummer, joining the band on August 18, 1962. And as “they say,” the rest is history. Ringo became known for his unique drumming style as a left-handed player and some well-known drummers have praised Ringo for being “King of the Feel” as a drummer.

Although the Beatles split up in 1970 (and legally by 1974), Ringo has maintained an active career in music and acting ever since.

Apart from the Beatles’ films, Ringo has acted in numerous films—Westerns, musicals, and comedies including Caveman in which he became acquainted with Barbara Bach whom he later married and to whom he has been married for more than forty years.

Ringo also played the conductor in and narrated the children’s television show, “Shining Time Station” which aired from 1989 to1993. My children loved watching that show when they were young and I enjoyed seeing how versatile Ringo could be in his career as an entertainer.

Ringo’s adult life also hasn’t been without its challenges. In the 1980s he struggled with addiction to alcohol and drugs. However, Ringo and his wife Barbara Bach overcame their addictions and have remained clean and sober since 1989. They are active in organizations dedicated to addiction recovery and numerous other charitable activities.

Now at the vibrant age of 84 (because he really IS vibrant and youthful), Ringo maintains an active concert tour schedule with his All-Starr Band that he established in 1989. He constantly expands his musical repertoire, recently adding a country sound to his music.

How does Ringo look and function much younger than his chronological age despite the health challenges and addictions he struggled with earlier in his life?

I think Ringo has at least four secrets that we can all learn from to stay youthful, vibrant, and on purpose:

· Mindset - Ringo says that in his mind he still feels 24. He likes to explore and try new things, especially in how he plays music which is his life’s passion and purpose. And he enjoys life. He takes a lighthearted and whimsical approach to what he does according to those who work and interact with him.

· Meditation – Ringo has been practicing transcendental meditation (TM) daily for years, first learning about it from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the creator of this practice when he and the other Beatles traveled to India in the late 1960s. He says TM keeps him calm, peaceful, and centered and enhances his creativity. One of Ringo’s core philosophies and “mantra” is “Peace and Love” which he always says when out in public.

· Movement – Ringo exercises virtually daily. He goes to the gym regularly and works with a personal trainer before going on a tour. He says that to stay young, you must keep moving. Check out the following short 2023 video of him doing jumping jacks at a concert— https://youtube.com/shorts/zeVn-Qv9p8Y?si=18Ty9lyTVl0cwaFq

· Nutrition/Vegetarian lifestyle – Ringo has been a vegetarian for many years and credits it with being the cornerstone of his good health and energy. He reportedly eats blueberries daily and broccoli with every meal and avoids added sugar and processed food.

Music Corner

This week’s recommended music selections are some of my favorite songs that Ringo had a key role in composing and singing the classic tune— “It Don’t Come Easy” which he wrote and performed with George Harrison.

Also check out one of his more recent songs “Rewind Forward” (pay attention to the lyrics – they are uplifting during these turbulent times) released in October 2023.

Nutrition – Broccoli Benefits and an Easy, Tasty Recipe

Ringo laughingly claims he is “99 percent broccoli” because it’s a staple of his daily food intake. There’s no question that broccoli, a cruciferous veggie, can be considered a superfood. It’s packed with nutrients and fiber.

According to Dr. Michael Greger (one of my favorite medical authors who presents evidence-based information), broccoli has a vital active ingredient—sulforaphane— which can protect our brain and eyesight, induce detoxification, and help prevent and treat cancer.

Sulforaphane is most present in raw broccoli. Cooking kills it. But few of us eat any significant amounts of raw broccoli (except when it’s served on veggie platters with hummus or other dips). And unfortunately, cooking kills the sulforaphane. But there are some simple solutions!

To benefit from the sulforaphane, Greger recommends chopping raw broccoli at least 40 minutes before cooking to maintain the vital nutrients. But, if your schedule doesn’t allow you to do this, research has shown that adding mustard seed powder to cooked broccoli provides the enzyme myrosinase, which restores the health benefits of broccoli. I recently bought some organic mustard seed powder and sprinkle it on my cooked broccoli.

Want to try a delicious, easy broccoli recipe? Last week, I tried the “Sauteed Broccoli” recipe created by Dani Spieg (CleanandDelicious.com and creator of a YouTube channel with the same name). The broccoli was super tasty and had just the right firmness. Yum!

Sautéed Broccoli - Author: Dani Spies

If you want to watch her cook the broccoli, see the YouTube video here:

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 4 cups broccoli florets, (1 head of broccoli)

• 4-6 cloves garlic, chopped

• 1/4 cup water

• salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add in the garlic with a pinch of salt and sauté until fragrant (about 30-60 seconds).

2. Add broccoli to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.

3. Add 1/4 cup of water, pop on the lid and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender. Remove the lid and cook until any extra water has evaporated out of the pan.

4. Adjust seasonings, serve, and enjoy!

Notes

• To add even more flavor to the broccoli, swap the water with low-sodium veggie or chicken broth.

• If you like a little heat, sprinkle some red pepper flakes over the top of the broccoli.

• Store any leftover sautéed broccoli in an airtight container, in the fridge for up to five days.

Suggested Action Steps/Questions to Help You Shine Like Ringo Starr!

1. Choose a younger age in which you felt totally on top of your game and conduct an experiment. Imagine you are that age right now and throughout the next week, take your mind back to that time and think, feel, and move as if you were that age now. Do this for at least a week and see if you notice any shift in how you operate think and feel (and look!). At the same time, allocate time to an activity that fulfills your purpose and ignites your passion and enthusiasm.

2. Spend five or 10 minutes daily in quiet and/or meditating. Your meditation can be as simple as inhaling and exhaling deeply. Or you can focus on a mantra or word that is special to you as you inhale and exhale. Take note of your stress levels.

3. Engage in at least 20 minutes of daily movement—your choice—and do it daily for the next seven days. Move with joy.

4. Add broccoli, blueberries, and other healthy, plant-based, and nutrient-dense foods to your diet. Try out the broccoli recipe.

Remember, you can become a “shining star” no matter who you are! Shining bright to see what you can truly be!