“I was not treating myself or anyone around me with any respect”: Ringo Starr says as he marks 37 years sober

Ringo Starr is celebrating 37 years of being sober and the Beatles drummer has opened up about how he ended up in rehab and how his life has changed since he decided to get sober. In an interview with reporters at his annual Peace & Love Birthday celebration, Starr reflected on 37 years of sobriety, stating that he started treatment because of some of his questionable behaviors:

"Well, I ended up in rehab because I was not treating myself or anyone around me with any respect. It was all about me, and I came out, and I haven't had a drink since. Thank the Lord.”

Ringo Starr has been open about his journey to sobriety. In an interview with the New Zealand Herald, the music legend revealed that the 80s were particularly difficult for him as he was drinking and using drugs excessively.

“I got involved with a lot of different medications and you can listen to my records go downhill as the amount of medication went up.”

He added that he had no recollection of most of his performances during this period:

“I’ve got photographs of me playing all over the world but I’ve absolutely no memory of it,” he said. “I played Washington with the Beach Boys – or so they tell me. But there’s only a photo to prove it.”

Ringo Starr recalled his downward spiral in a 2023 interview with the San Diego Tribune, adding that he had to check into rehab with his wife Barbara Bach in the 80s as their health had deteriorated due to their alcohol consumption.

“I love that life I’m allowed to live,” Ringo Starr says as he reflects on turning 85

The two-time Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer turned 85 on July 7, 2025, and he spoke with The New York Times reflecting on the milestone and feeling younger than his age:

“It blows me away. I look in the mirror and I’m 24. I never got older than 24.”

Ringo Starr added that he maintains his liveliness and energy by doing what he loves. The legendary drummer shared that he enjoyed living in the moment and was grateful for the life he now had:

“I live in the now,” he said. “I didn’t plan any of it. I love that life I’m allowed to live.”

Ringo Starr also revealed in his 2023 San Diego Tribune interview that he maintained a healthy lifestyle by watching what he eats and being a vegetarian:

“I watch what I eat. I’ve been vegetarian for the last 25 years. I was ‘veggie’ before, then I got off it and back on, and I’ve been vegetarian since 1992. I think it’s important and I’m always promoting proper eating."

He also mentioned that going to the gym and having a personal trainer positively affected his health.

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