Ringo Starr cancelled his remaining U.S. tour dates, sharing an unexpected health update with fans only hours before he was set to take the stage at the TD Pavilion in Philadelphia on September 24.
Generations of fans, hyped to see the legendary Beatles’ drummer perform live with the All Star Band, flooded his social media page with “peace and love,” and many, who traveled hours to see him, expressed their disappointment…
In July 2023, when Ringo Starr celebrated his 83rd birthday at his annual “Peace and Love” event, the legendary drummer from the Beatles said he still feels young.
“Nothing makes me feel old. In my head, I’m 27,” he told People. “Wisdom’s a heavy word. [Getting older] is what happens, and you try and keep yourself busy.”
At the same event the next year, the 84-year-old had a chat with Fox, and said “I’m fit as a fiddle and doing good…I work out nearly every day.”
After his September 22 show at the Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, Ontario, the rocker announced that “due to illness,” he had to cut his tour short, cancelling only hours before he was set to appear on stage in Philadelphia.
“Ringo has come down with a cold and after consulting a doctor he was advised to cancel these two remaining shows and get rest,” a rep for Starr said in a press release.
The canceled shows were set for the September 24 show at TD Pavilion at The Mann in Philadelphia, and Radio City Music Hall in New York on September 25.
The statement shared on Facebook also let fans know they will be notified via email and automatically refunded.
The release ends with his signature “peace and love.”
‘Feel better soon’
Fans were devastated over the cancellation but also urge the singer to prioritize his health over his hectic touring schedule: “Ringo Starr I’m so sorry that you have to cancel 2 of your shows. In looking at your aggressive concert schedule for this year, I’m concerned for your health. Peace and Love.”
Others, despite having travelled across borders to see him live, wished him well.
“We drove up from DC, to see you in Philly, when we missed you at The Anthem here in DC. So excited to see your fabulous show again, but now so disappointed to find out you’re sick & the show was cancelled. Please take good care & take the time to recover fully,” writes one netizen.
“Oh, Ringo, please get well soon. I was about to get ready and drive to your show. This would have been my first concert to see a Beatle and I’m 61 years old. It would have been worth the long drive,” a second Facebook user shares.
A third shares he was born in 1959 and remembers “the Beatles and their music for their beginnings.” “I too am so sad the show was cancelled but I do understand. I bought five tickets and flew to Philadelphia from Wisconsin just to see Ringo for our first time ever,” the user writes of Starr, who was born Richard Starkey. “Earlier this year we were in Liverpool, and we took a Beatles tour, we saw the house where Ringo lived as a young boy and we were told about the time in was at a hospital and his mom was told three different times that Richard might not make it through the night. But he did and I am so glad he did. To me he was the glue that kept the Beatles together…I [hope] I will see you someday Ringo.”
Another cyber fan explains they traveled about two hours to see the show with their young grandson, who was “so disappointed” when it was canceled: “I hope you feel better soon Ringo! We drove from Scranton, Pa to Mann Music in Philadelphia only to find you had to cancel. My 10-year-old grandson was so disappointed. He couldn’t wait to see you and your band. Wishing you well soon.”
Meanwhile, other fans shared their memories of Starr and the Beatles.
“Saw your show in Philadelphia a few years ago. My favorite Beatle. It was the first time I ever saw you live. I was in my ’70’s and it was worth the wait,” writes one.
A second pens, “Praying for Ringo Starr…Ringo Starr influenced me [to play the] drums when I saw the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show on Sunday February 9,1964. I’m 72 years old and I still play the drums.”
“Saw you when I was 15 at Suffolk Downs in Boston 8/16/1966. You are amazing! Thank you for all the music & love,” adds another.
Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney are the only two surviving members of The Beatles, the band that revolutionized music in the 1960s.
John Lennon was tragically assassinated in 1980, and George Harrison passed away in 2001 after losing his battle with cancer.
Please let us know what you think of this story and then share it with your friends so we can all wish him a speedy recovery!
READ MORE
- Ringo Starr, 83, sparks concern after brutal on-stage fall
- Dolly Parton covers The Beatles’ “Let It Be” with the help of Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr — listen to it here