Ringo Starr's Songs Helped Him Earn a Rare Honor in France
It’s hard to argue that Ringo Starr didn’t make significant contributions to classic rock music. He put the beat in The Beatles and found fame and fortune because of it, but living a life of luxury was never his intention. Ringo and his wife lived like simple people in their mansion; the money, honors, and awards were just side benefits of making music. Yet Ringo’s songs helped him earn a rare honor in France years before the British recognized his greatness.
Ringo Starr with his medal after earning France's highest honor as Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters, the only member of The Beatles to be so honored.
Ringo probably could have retired at 30 years old when The Beatles broke up in 1970, but that wasn’t his way. The drummer felt the need to keep going. He found success when he did.
Several of Ringo’s solo songs found chart success in the United States and the United Kingdom in the early 1970s. His solo hits helped Ringo lead a jet-setting lifestyle that allowed him to flit between England, the U.S., and Monaco at a moment’s notice.
The drummer lived part-time in a luxury apartment in Monaco. The tiny European country was where Ringo received a rare French honor years before the English did the same.
Source: Jason Rossi/cheatsheet.com
