Claire Dawson
Ringo Starr, born Richard Starkey, is known for his drumming in The Beatles and his easygoing personality. However, as a child, Starr suffered from several severe illnesses that led to prolonged hospital stays. At the age of six, Starr underwent an appendectomy after developing appendicitis. Unfortunately, he then contracted peritonitis, causing him to fall into a coma that lasted several days. After recovering from this illness, Starr contracted tuberculosis at age thirteen and was admitted to a sanatorium for two years. In total, Starr spent three years in the hospital as a child, which significantly impacted his education and future prospects. Despite these challenges, Starr discovered his passion for drumming during his hospital stays, and his resilience carried him through his childhood misfortunes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for hospitalisation | Suffered from acute appendicitis which led to peritonitis |
| Age during hospitalisation | 6 years old |
| Length of hospital stay | 1 year |
| Location of hospitalisation | Liverpool's Myrtle Street Children's Hospital |
| Year of hospitalisation | 1947-1948 |
| Reason for long-term stay | Recovery from peritonitis and coma |
| Musical interests sparked | Yes, drumming |
| Future career influenced | Yes, exposure to drums in hospital |
| Other childhood illnesses | Tuberculosis, pleurisy, intestinal problems |
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What You'll Learn
Ringo Starr's childhood illnesses
Ringo Starr, born Richard Starkey, suffered from several severe illnesses during his childhood, which led to prolonged hospitalisation. Starr himself has spoken about his experiences, including in a 1995 interview with NPR's Terry Gross and on the Howard Stern show in 2018.
Starr's first brush with serious illness came at the age of six when his appendix burst, requiring emergency surgery. Following the operation, Starr developed peritonitis, an inflammation of the peritoneum, the membrane that lines the abdominal wall. This complication caused Starr to fall into a coma that lasted for several days and resulted in a prolonged hospital stay. In fact, Starr's recovery was so slow that it took him ten weeks to regain consciousness fully. Doctors told his mother multiple times that he might not survive, but Starr pulled through, although his health remained fragile.
Starr's second major illness occurred when he was thirteen years old. He contracted tuberculosis, a highly infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs and was prevalent in his industrial neighbourhood in Liverpool, England. This illness led to another extended period of hospitalisation, this time in a sanatorium. Starr's recovery from tuberculosis was aided by the discovery of the antibiotic streptomycin, which helped to cure him. However, it took him another year to fully recover, during which he was sent to a greenhouse in the country to breathe fresh air and recuperate.
In addition to these two significant illnesses, Starr also suffered from pleurisy on three separate occasions and dealt with intestinal problems related to his childhood bout of peritonitis as an adult. Despite these health challenges, Starr went on to become a successful musician and actor, finding a passion for playing the drums during his hospital stays.
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The start of his drumming career
Sir Richard Starkey, known professionally as Ringo Starr, is an English musician famous for being the drummer for the Beatles. Starr's passion for drumming began during his youth, sparked by his prolonged hospitalisations.
At the age of six, Starr underwent an appendectomy after developing appendicitis. However, he subsequently contracted peritonitis, causing him to fall into a coma that lasted for several days. Starr spent a year recovering at Liverpool's Myrtle Street Children's Hospital. During this time, he was introduced to percussion instruments by a teacher who brought drums and other instruments to the hospital to keep the patients engaged. Starr immediately took a liking to the drums and began playing with a makeshift kit made from items in the hospital, such as a cotton bobbin mallet that he used to strike cabinets.
After his discharge from the hospital, Starr continued to face health challenges. In 1953, he contracted tuberculosis and was admitted to a sanatorium, where he remained for two years. Despite his illnesses, Starr's interest in music and drumming persisted. In 1957, he co-founded his first band, the Eddie Clayton Skiffle Group, which earned prestigious local bookings. However, the skiffle craze was short-lived, and it eventually gave way to American rock and roll.
Starr's resilience and passion for drumming contributed to the start of his musical career. Despite his limited education and history of ill health, he pursued drumming and found success as the drummer for the Beatles. His time in hospital, where he first discovered his love for drumming, played a significant role in shaping his future path as a musician.
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His long road to recovery
In 1953, at the age of 13, Ringo Starr was hospitalized for a serious illness that left him fighting for his life. The exact nature of his illness has been a matter of some debate, with some sources indicating that he suffered from appendicitis, while others suggest it may have been peritonitis or a ruptured ulcer. Regardless of the specific diagnosis, it is clear that Ringo's condition was life-threatening and required urgent medical attention.
Ringo's hospitalization lasted for several months, during which time he underwent multiple surgeries and struggled through a lengthy recovery process. The exact details of his medical treatment are not known, but it is likely that he received antibiotics and other supportive care to treat his infection and manage his symptoms. During this period, medical advancements were being made, and it is possible that Ringo benefitted from new surgical techniques or drug treatments that became available. He would have required careful monitoring and management by medical professionals to ensure his body could heal and recover.
The road to recovery was a challenging one for Ringo, both physically and emotionally. The severity of his illness and the lengthy hospitalization took a toll on his body, and he likely experienced significant physical weakness and fatigue. Rebuilding his strength and endurance would have been a gradual and painstaking process, requiring physical therapy and a dedicated rehabilitation program. It is also possible that he struggled with the psychological impact of his illness, including anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress, which were not often recognized or treated at that time.
During his recovery, Ringo discovered a passion for drumming, which became a crucial part of his healing process. He received his first drum kit as a gift while in the hospital, and he began to teach himself to play, finding solace and expression in the rhythms he created. Music became a form of therapy, providing an outlet for his emotions and a means to cope with the challenges of his recovery. It also offered a sense of purpose and a new direction for his life, as he began to envision a future in music.
The support of his family and friends was also instrumental in Ringo's recovery. His mother, in particular, was a constant presence at his bedside, offering love and encouragement. The medical staff who cared for him also played a vital role, providing not only medical treatment but also emotional support during those difficult months. The combination of professional medical care, personal support networks, and his newfound passion for music all contributed to Ringo's gradual healing and his eventual return to health.
Ringo's hospitalization and recovery were a pivotal moment in his life, shaping his future trajectory. It not only fostered his love for music but also taught him resilience and a deeper appreciation for life. As he moved forward, he carried with him the lessons learned during those challenging times, and they became a foundation for his later success as a musician and a beloved member of The Beatles. Ringo's long road to recovery ultimately led to a life of creativity, contribution, and enduring influence on popular culture.
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Impact on his education
Ringo Starr, born Richard Starkey, suffered from several severe illnesses during his childhood. At the age of six, Starr's appendix burst, leading to a case of peritonitis, which caused him to fall into a coma for several days. He spent ten weeks unconscious and was told by doctors that he would not survive. Starr spent a year recovering at Myrtle Street Children's Hospital in Liverpool following this health crisis.
In 1953, when he was 13, Starr contracted tuberculosis and was admitted to a sanatorium for two years. During this time, he was "shipped off to a greenhouse in the country" to recover and breathe cleaner air. In total, Starr spent three years of his childhood in the hospital, which significantly impacted his education.
Starr's prolonged hospitalizations caused him to miss a great deal of school. However, it was during these stays in the hospital that he discovered his passion for music and drums in particular. Medical staff encouraged patients to join the hospital band to relieve boredom, and Starr took up a makeshift drum kit made from items in the hospital, including a mallet fashioned from cotton bobbins. He also credits a teacher who brought drums and other percussion instruments to the hospital for his first encounter with the instrument.
Starr's interest in music continued after his recovery. In 1957, he co-founded his first band, the Eddie Clayton Skiffle Group, which earned prestigious local bookings. By the time he joined the Texans in 1958, his musical interests had evolved, and he had developed a preference for rock and roll. He was also influenced by country and jazz artists, which inspired his distinctive drumming style.
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Ringo's positive outlook
Ringo Starr, born Richard Starkey, faced numerous health challenges during his childhood. At the age of six, he suffered from appendicitis, which led to a case of peritonitis and caused him to fall into a coma for several days. He spent a year recovering at Liverpool's Myrtle Street Children's Hospital, separated from his family. This was just the first of several prolonged hospital stays in his youth.
Despite these early setbacks, Starr is known for his positive outlook and easygoing personality. His resilience and optimism shine through in his appreciation for simple yet powerful concepts like "peace and love," which he celebrates annually on his birthday. Starr's positive disposition is all the more remarkable given his subsequent health struggles. At age thirteen, he contracted tuberculosis and spent two years in a sanatorium. He also experienced three bouts of pleurisy and intestinal problems related to his childhood illnesses.
Music played a pivotal role in Starr's life, and his passion for playing drums was ignited during his hospital stays. Medical staff encouraged patients to join the hospital band and relieve their boredom by playing percussion instruments. Starr's natural talent and enthusiasm for drumming became evident, and he received his first drum as a gift during his convalescence. He recalled: "I was in the hospital band... That's where I really started playing. I never wanted anything else from there on."
Starr's positive outlook and perseverance carried over into other aspects of his life as well. Despite lacking formal education due to his prolonged illnesses, he developed strong social skills and excelled in art, drama, and practical subjects at school. His intelligence, wit, and verbal creativity were valued by his future bandmates in The Beatles, who affectionately ribbed him about his 'Ringoisms'. Starr's resilience and positive attitude undoubtedly contributed to his success and longevity in the music industry, making him an inspiration to many.
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Frequently asked questions
Ringo Starr, born Richard Starkey, suffered from several illnesses as a child that led to prolonged hospital stays. At age six, Starr's appendix burst, causing peritonitis, an inflammation of the abdominal wall lining. This led to a coma that lasted several days and a year-long recovery at Liverpool's Myrtle Street Children's Hospital. At age 13, Starr contracted tuberculosis and was admitted to a sanatorium for two years. In total, Starr spent three years in the hospital as a child, causing him to fall behind in school.
Ringo Starr's prolonged hospitalizations caused him to fall behind in school. After his recovery from tuberculosis, Starr did not return to school and preferred to stay at home, listening to music and playing along by beating biscuit tins with sticks. His lack of education contributed to a feeling of alienation at school, and he regularly played truant. Starr's education was significantly impaired, and he did not have the qualifications to pursue academic routes in adulthood.
Despite the negative impacts of his hospitalizations, Ringo Starr's time in the hospital may have contributed to his future career as a musician. During his recovery, Starr joined the hospital band and developed a passion for drumming. He was given a drum to play with and took to it immediately, refusing to give it up for other instruments. Starr's interest in drumming continued after leaving the hospital, and he created his first drum kit out of biscuit tins and firewood.
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