Ringo Starr and Barbara Bockman on the red carpet prior to the 2015 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on Saturday, April 18, 2015, in Cleveland, Ohio.CLEVELAND – The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is welcoming its newest class, featuring a Beatle, three punks from California and a guitar god from Texas.
Ringo Starr, who found unexpected stardom as a frontman after the Beatles broke up, was honored Saturday night as the hall inducted an eclectic group of musicians who have influenced generations.
Starr, previously enshrined with the Beatles in 1988, is being inducted along with pop punks Green Day, soul singer-songwriter Bill Withers, underground-rock icon Lou Reed, bluesy guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and The “5” Royales.
Adored by fans, Starr was the steady beat behind the world’s most celebrated group and the 74-year-old is the last of the Beatles to have his work outside the band recognized. Starr is being inducted by Paul McCartney, whose influence helped get his former drummer enshrined. Starr put out a string of pop hits, including “It Don’t Come Easy,” ”Photograph” and “You’re Sixteen.”
He may not have had the musical shops or artistry of McCartney or the late John Lennon or George Harrison, but Starr managed to stay in the limelight and still tours with his All-Star Band.