Music

Ringo Starr: 'Beatles were lucky to have me'

Published Tuesday, May 24 2011, 15:37 BST | By Lewis Corner | 5 comments

Ringo Starr has claimed that the Beatles were lucky to recruit him as their drummer.

The musician, who was asked to join the band in August 1962 to replace Pete Best, insisted that they were fortunate to sign him as he had a bigger reputation than they did at the time.

"Within Liverpool I was a lot more well known than them," he told Live Magazine.

Starr was a member of Liverpool-based band Rory and The Hurricanes from 1959 to 62, during which time the group started to gain a solid reputation on the new music scene.

"Rory and The Hurricanes were big shots in the city. We had suits. That was our claim to fame. They were lucky to get me. It wasn't just that I was a big shot, I was a cool drummer," he said.

Starr also revealed that he and Sir Paul McCartney are still "good friends" and are looking to record together again in the future.

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