Today, I had the privilege of attending the Ringo Starr Photobook press conference in Hollywood, California at the Arclight Theatre and a short mini concert at SIR Rehearsal Studios. In watching a short film presented at the press conference that included footage of Ringo and Paul McCartney performing The Beatles song “Birthday” live for Starr’s 70th birthday on July 7, 2010, I noticed tattoos on each of Starr’s inner forearms.
News to me!!! Ringo usually wears a jacket or sportcoat in almost every photo so that explains why I never noticed his tattoos.
I’m not sure the exact dates that Ringo got his tattoos. He spoke about them in an interview as far back as the year 2000. The tats are pretty prominent in this 2008 program photo from Ringo & His All-Star Band Tour.
The tattoo on the left arm came first and is a shooting star crossing a crescent moon. The second tattoo on the right forearm is a cross surrounded by a lotus flower. Here’s a grainy close-up of Ringo’s ink…
I don’t think John Lennon or George Harrison had tattoos and I am pretty sure Paul McCartney doesn’t have one, so this makes Ringo the only inked up member of The Beatles.
To the surprise of many, Kurt Cobain also had a small forearm tattoo. Click below to check it out…