Ringo Starr, 86, Defies Age as Family Grows Weary of His Relentless Touring

Ringo Starr, the iconic drummer, just hit 86 on July 7 and shows no signs of stopping. His family is reportedly "fed up with him" as he barrels forward into yet another year of touring.

Starr, born Richard Starkey, has spent nearly seven decades in the music industry and remains active. He recently released his 22nd solo studio album, Long Long Road, on April 24. His All-Starr Band just wrapped up a spring 2026 tour, proving that retirement is not on his agenda.

In the previous year, he collaborated with T Bone Burnett for a country album titled Look Up and headlined a 10-date summer tour with his All-Starr Band. This period marks one of the most productive phases of his career, leading to skepticism from his family regarding his retirement claims. This comes on the heels of George Harrison's past comments about Paul McCartney's hypocrisy.

"They get fed up with me," Starr admitted in an interview last year. He acknowledged that the allure of touring is too strong to resist. "Sometimes when I finish a tour, I’m like, ‘That’s the end for me.’ And all my children say, ‘Oh, Dad, you’ve told us that for the last 10 years.’ And they get fed up with me," he joked. "I do feel, ‘Oh, that’s got to be enough,’ and then I get a phone call: ‘We’ve got a few gigs if you’re interested.’ OK, we’re off again!"

Earlier in March, CBS aired Ringo and Friends at The Ryman, featuring Starr alongside Sheryl Crow, Jack White, and The War and Treaty at Nashville's famed venue. "It is always a thrill to play the Ryman, and this time we are going country," he said about the show. "T Bone has put together a great show. I’m excited to hear my songs done in a country vein and to play with this incredible group of musicians. It will be two nights of peace, love, and country music."

After his summer tour and the launch of Long Long Road, Starr made a notable appearance on Paul McCartney's latest album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, where they performed a duet titled Home To Us.

Starr has even joked about outlasting McCartney on the road. Before embarking on a dozen concert dates in May and June, he expressed confidence in his ability to keep touring longer than McCartney, though he insists it’s not a competition.

The legendary musician understands the importance of maintaining physical health. "Get in that gym, loosen up," he advised during an interview after his album release. "You can blame me. ‘That Ringo made me come in here.’ There’s no special way. It’s just that no one can do it for you," he stated. "You’ve got to get out of bed and do it."

Starr emphasized the need to be in peak physical condition for his upcoming tour.

Initially planning to perform only this year, he finds himself contemplating extending the tour into the fall. "I just intend to play this year. That’s as far down the line as I’m going. We’ll see what happens at the beginning of next year or the end of this year," he said.

"For the last five years, I’ve told my kids, ‘That’s it, I can’t go on anymore.’ [And they say], ‘Oh, Dad, you said that last year.’ I’m just doing the 12 gigs. But in my head, at least twice a day, [I’m thinking], ‘Nah, we should do September as well.’ But so far, I’m holding up."

When asked if there’s a competition with McCartney regarding who can stay on the road longer, Starr replied, "Well, it may look like that, but I’ll be the longest."

He humorously referenced his well-known belief that blueberries and broccoli are key to his health when asked about self-care over the years. "I have a trainer still three times a week. And the gym’s just there (points off camera). I go in on my own at least one day, usually two days when she’s not there. Just to get my heartbeat (up) and get on the treadmill, do a bit of running, and weights. I’ve been doing it so long; it’s just like, ‘Oh, I’ll go over to the gym.’"

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