Jump directly to the content
WISH YOU THE BEST

Original Beatles drummer Pete Best buries hatchet with Ringo Starr by wishing him a happy 80th birthday

RINGO Starr was offered a surprise olive branch on his 80th birthday — from original Beatles drummer Pete Best.

Best, 78, fired in 1962 just before the band hit the big time with Ringo, appeared to finally bury the hatchet.

Ringo Starr was offered a surprise olive branch on his 80th birthday — from original Beatles drummer Pete Best
5
Ringo Starr was offered a surprise olive branch on his 80th birthday — from original Beatles drummer Pete BestCredit: Getty Images - Getty
The Beatles' original drummer Pete Best sent Ringo Starr a kind message on his birthday
5
The Beatles' original drummer Pete Best sent Ringo Starr a kind message on his birthdayCredit: Rex Features
Pete Best's message to Ringo Starr on his 80th birthday
5
Pete Best's message to Ringo Starr on his 80th birthday

He wrote online: “Thought about it and thought why not. Happy Birthday Ringo. It’s a special one. Have a good day.”

Ringo controversially replaced Best in the line-up in 1962, just before the band made it big.

Best later left the music industry to work as a civil cervant for 20 years before starting the Pete Best Band.

John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono was among the stars to wish Ringo a happy birthday. She wrote: "Happy, Happy Birthday Ringo! lots of peace and love, yoko."

Meanwhile Ringo and his wife Barbara Bach were pictured in masks by his Peace and Love sculpture in LA.

In an , to celebrate his birthday, the veteran star said: 80? Man, I’m only 24 in here.

Celebrating his 80th birthday the star drummer said: 'We’re sort of saying I’m still 79, because we’re hopefully celebrating properly next year'
5
Celebrating his 80th birthday the star drummer said: 'We’re sort of saying I’m still 79, because we’re hopefully celebrating properly next year'Credit: AP:Associated Press

"That’s a good thing and a bad thing. Yeah, 80, it’s like, far out. I mean, it’s like, 'What?' It’s a difficult one.

"70 was easy. And we had a great time in Radio City Music Hall in New York where Paul surprised me and got up and played.

"I think 40 was the hardest. Crossing 40 was like –  you know, that damn song, “Life Begins at 40.” That was just the hardest."

The Beatles - John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and original drummer Pete Best
5
The Beatles - John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and original drummer Pete BestCredit: Rex Features
New Year's honours list includes The Beatles star Ringo Starr, Bee Gees Barry Gibb and former leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg

GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]

Topics