In April 1979, Starr became seriously ill with intestinal problems relating to his childhood bout of peritonitis and was taken to the Princess Grace Hospital in Monte Carlo. He almost died and during an operation on 28 April, several feet of intestine had to be removed.

Ringo is a boy's name of Japanese origin. Meaning "apple," this name is synonymous with Ringo Starr from The Beatles. If the world of rock and roll inspires you, a name like Ringo is an excellent choice for your little star.

Born Richard Starkey on July 7, 1940, in Liverpool, England, Starr got the nickname “Ringo” because of his fondness for rings. A sickly child who missed school often, he left school in his early teens and worked as an engineer's apprentice.

The former Beatle is the father of three adult kids — Zak, 58, Jason, 56, and Lee, 53 — whom he welcomed with his late ex-wife Maureen Cox. The two were together from 1962 to 1975, but separated following Starr's affair with American model Nancy Lee Adams and Cox's affair with George Harrison.