At 86, Ringo Starr has two musical heroes to thank for his refusal to retire: “We can go as long as we can go”

Ringo Starr says his determination to keep performing is inspired by Tony Bennett and BB King, who continued their musical careers into old age. At 86, Starr says he will carry on touring while he can play and audiences still want to hear him.

Bennett stopped performing live in 2021, aged 95, on doctors’ advice because of the physical demands of touring. King continued to perform until illness forced him off stage in 2014; he died the following year, aged 89. Starr’s view echoes Paul McCartney’s: the pleasure of making music can outlast the idea of retirement.