Ringo Starr Receives Honorary Doctorate From Berklee College Of Music

Ringo Starr was on hand at Boston's Berklee College of Music on Thursday (June 2nd) to accept an honorary doctorate from the prestigious institution. Marca.com reported the students played a selection of Ringo's hits during the ceremony, before opening remarks by All Starr Band drummer Gregg Bissonette and Berklee President Erica Muhl.

Ringo spoke about being ill as a child in the hospital, when a drum was brought in for him to play while convalescing. He explained, "I just wanted to be a drummer from that moment on. It was my big dream and it's still unfolding. I get to play with great guys, like the band here. It's just a great life I lead."

Legendary producer Don Was, who first worked with Ringo during the sessions for the former-Beatle's 1992 Time Takes Time collection, told us that he always jumps at the chance to play with Ringo: ["As a musician, when you finally get to play music with him, it's one of the most distinctive feels, y'know? His feel is just, it's such a unique fingerprint of where to lay the beat and where to play it. And, like, in the first few minutes of the first few songs, I thought, 'Oh man! You couldn't have had those Beatles records without this guy.' There's a musical personality that's so strong. I think he's one of the great rock n' roll drummers of all time."] SOUNDCUE (:25 OC: . . . of all time)

Ringo told us that his ultimate goal has always to be a working drummer playing with top musicians: ["It's playing with a band, always has been with me. Playing drums, playing with good players, playing to an audience — it's still the best. There's certain nights when, where the band are all together, and the audience are all together, it's such an uplifting situation. That's the drug of it all — y'know, it's like you just sail away. It's great."] SOUNDCUE (:19 OC: . . . away it's great)