(Credits: Far Out / Alamy)
Mon 2 June 2025 16:39, UK
Ringo Starr has opened up about the origins of the peace mantra that has become central to his persona across his career, noting: “I’m an optimist, not a pessimist.”
In a wide-ranging interview with the Associated Press published on June 1st, the former Beatle reflected on a number of facets within his musical tenure, not least his time as part of the Fab Four.
But as he is set to mark his 85th birthday on July 7th, Starr also explained the meaning behind his “peace and love” life motto, dispelling the famous misconception that it was born out of the band’s trip to India in 1968.
“It actually came, for me, from San Francisco, where the hippies were,” the drummer explained. “They were, of course, great peace and lovers, and then it changed. But I found a picture the other day of the four of us [giving the peace sign] – I didn’t invent it, I just picked it up. John [Lennon] was a big proponent of peace and love, and it just came to me.”
However, spirituality is still evidently at the epicentre of all that Starr practices in life, as he revealed that he has “meditated every day since 1992.” In turn, he hopes that by continuing to spread the message of the mantra, it can also help others.
“I think it’s important every day – and right now the world is going through a madness. Maybe it’ll help,” he added, returning to this idea later in the interview as he noted: “I’m an optimist, not a pessimist.”
“I just feel positive,” he explained, “Not every day, and not all my life, but some of those things I knew I needed from what I was 13, [when I was] really ill in hospital.”
Starr is set to tour North America with his All Star Band later this month.
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