Ringo: With a Little Help

Richard "Richy" Starkey, aka Ringo Starr, probably the most famous drummer in the world, told his Facebook followers in 2012 that he wasn't participating in this biography, rendering it unauthorized except for its heavy inclusion of material from his past interviews. Usually, unauthorized biographies are entertaining reads but often contain hearsay and conjecture, while authorized biographies or autobiographies only contain what the subject wants to share. The truth is likely in the middle. New York Post TV editor and celebrity biographer Starr (no relation!) clearly likes his subject and has done his research, providing more than 300 notes and a bibliography in this accessible, fast read. While he writes about Ringo's entire life and not just his time with the Fab Four (1962–70), nearly half the book is about those eight years—not even ten percent of his life. Regrettably, and most likely owing to publisher deadlines, the book does not include Ringo's acceptance speech upon receiving the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Award for Musical Excellence in April 2015, or material from his Rolling Stone cover story that same month. The epilog features new interviews with four rock drummers, including Phil Collins, about Ringo's influence and legacy. While unnecessary, they add to the book's kind portrayal.