'Sir Richard Starkey has a nice ring to it!' Paul McCartney congratulates Ringo Starr on his knighthood as the beaming Beatles legend is seen for first time since receiving the honour
Paul McCartney has congratulated Beatles bandmate Sir Ringo Starr on his knighthood for services to music.
The musician, who received his own honour in 1997, shared a snap of the pair on Twitter, writing: 'Huge congrats Sir Ringo! Sir Richard Starkey has a nice ring to it. Best drummer best pal!'
And Ringo - real name Richard Starkey - looked understandably delighted as he arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport on Friday just hours after receiving the honour.
Scroll down for video
Superstars: Paul McCartney has congratulated Beatles bandmate Sir Ringo Starr on his knighthood for services to music
Ringo was once jokingly described as 'not even the best drummer in the Beatles'.
The quip is often attributed to John Lennon but never verified. In 2011, Rolling Stone readers named him the fifth-greatest drummer of all time.
The drummer had been tipped for a knighthood several times, including by Paul, who said in 2011 that it was 'about time'.
After he was missed off the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2011, Sir Paul told Absolute Radio it was 'about time' Starr was knighted, joking that he would have told the Queen 'look, love, Sir Richard Starkey – it's got a ring'.
Loving life: Sir Ringo looked understandably delighted as he arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport on Friday
Happy: The 77-year-old musical icon, who dubbed the award an 'honour', beamed and flashed a peace sign as he strolled out of the terminal
Ringo, real name Richard Starkey, joined the Beatles as a replacement drummer for Pete Best in 1962 and occasionally sang lead vocals, notably in 'Yellow Submarine' and 'With a Little Help from my Friends.'
The 77-year-old musical icon, who dubbed the award an 'honour', beamed and flashed a peace sign as he was seen for the first time since being recognised with the gong.
He warded off the December chill with a khaki parka jacket and completed his look with simple black jeans and trainers.
Come a long way: Ringo was once jokingly described as 'not even the best drummer in the Beatles'. The quip is often attributed to John Lennon but never verified. In 2011, Rolling Stone readers named him the fifth-greatest drummer of all time
Well deserved: The drummer had been tipped for a knighthood several times, including by Paul, who said in 2011 that it was 'about time'. Pictured, Ringo receiving the Insigne de Commandeur de l'ordre des Arts et Lettres medal in 2013
He appeared to be in high spirits as he landed in the city, grinning widely and waving at the cameras as he headed outside.
He acknowledged his knighthood with a short message, signed off with his trademark phrase 'Peace and love'.
He said: '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.'
Keeping it casual: The musical icon warded off the December chill with a khaki parka jacket and completed his look with simple black jeans and trainers
Icon: The drummer had been tipped for a knighthood several times, including by his former bandmate Sir Paul McCartney, who said in 2011 that it was 'about time'
Gracious: He said: '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='
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a Beatle in 1988 and again in 2015 for his solo career after the group split up.
Starr maintained a high public profile through his narration over 1984–86 of the popular TV children's series Thomas & Friends, based on the Thomas the Tank Engine series of books.
Also knighted in the honours list was Bee Gees singer Barry Gibb and author Michael Morpurgo, while ballet dancer Darcey Bussell becomes a dame.
The New Year's honours have been awarded since Queen Victoria's reign in the 19th century and aim to recognise not just well-known figures but those who have contributed to national life through often selfless and unsung contributions over many years.
Legends: Ringo, real name Richard Starkey, joined the Beatles as a replacement drummer for Pete Best in 1962 and occasionally sang lead vocals, notably in 'Yellow Submarine' and 'With a Little Help from my Friends
Most watched News videos
- Angry London tube passenger pulls emergency alarm during row
- Tragic footage shows young girl before she jumps off apartment block
- 19-year-old Florida school shooting suspect appears in court
- Nick Goepper and McRae Williams test out Olympic snow
- 15-year-old Florida shooting victim's funeral
- Group of 'Romanians' caught vandalising car parked in their space
- Nikolas Cruz caught in chilling footage after shooting 17 people
- Danes bid farewell to Prince Henrik, Queen Margrethe's husband
- KFC workers caught 'smuggling chicken' from a car by neighbour
- Inside Britain's Moped Crime Gangs; How you become a target
- Substitute teacher flips middle school student over his back
- Shocking dashcam captured moment car turned and hit cyclist
- Thousands of Danes line the streets for Prince Henrik's...
- Mother, 22, breaks down in tears as she admits...
- 'I'm stuck in a nightmare': Sobbing mother of hero...
- Mueller puts Paul Manafort in his sights after ANOTHER...
- REVEALED: Woman who cared for Florida shooter 'filed...
- Retired engineer who called 999 for his ill wife slams...
- Seventh grader at Ohio middle school shoots himself in a...
- Pimlico Plumbers legal row reaches UK's highest court as...
- Donald Trump Jr. 'likes' tweet attacking Florida school...
- Imran Khan’s second wife claims the Pakistani politician...
- National Lottery website 'crashes for two hours' due to...
- EXCLUSIVE: I've cast demons out of Oscar winners,...
- 'It's like stealing candy from a baby': Inside the...
- 'I know you're in there you little b****, I’m going to...
- The 'Beast from the East' is coming! Siberian winds are...
- Boozy party held at a house before a toddler, 2, was...
- Tearful Lindsey Vonn MISSES OUT on gold in the final solo...
- Thousands of KFC staff on zero-hour contracts face...