Ringo Starr knighted by the Queen of England
Ringo Starr, 77, former drummer for the Beatles, has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth as part of her New Year’s Honors List, according to a December 29 report from Fox News Entertainment. Starr is one of four Brits to receive that honor, along with Barry Gibb – the last surviving brother of the Bee Gees. The list of those to be knighted by the Queen was released on Friday. More than a thousand people have been recognized for their services to the UK in the Queen’s New Year Honours list, according to The Mirror.
Sir Ringo’s honour for services to music – given under his real name, Richard Starkey – was leaked before the announcement. It comes 20 years after Paul McCartney was knighted and adds to the 1965 MBE received by all four Beatles. ~ per ABC News / Entertainment
Ringo, still performing and now based in Los Angeles, was quoted by ABC News as saying, “It’s great! It’s an honour and a pleasure to be considered and acknowledged for my music and my charity work, both of which I love. Peace and love.” Fox News quoted the Cavern Club, the place where Ringo played with the Beatles back in their early days, as saying that Starr’s knighthood Is “long overdue”.
Sir Ringo along with Sir Paul are the last two surviving Beatles and the only two of the four Beatles to be fully knighted by the Queen. Sir Paul was knighted in 1997.
Former Beatle George Harrison was never offered a knighthood, but was selected for the Queen’s Order of the British Empire on New Year’s Day in 2000, according to Newsmax. The OBE is considered one of England’s highest honors. Harrison turned down that honor and felt insulted that his bandmate McCartney was fully knighted while Harrison was not. George died in 2001 from throat cancer.
Beatle John Lennon returned his Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1969, according to the BBC. Lennon was shot and killed by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980, outside of his home – The Dakota Building – in New York City.
Beatles legend John Lennon returned his MBE in 1969, with a note to the Queen saying: “Your Majesty, I am returning this in protest against Britain’s involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam and against Cold Turkey slipping down the charts. With Love, John Lennon of Bag.” ~ per The BBC
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Written by: Ace News Today Staff
