The most famous of Ringo Starr’s children is his oldest son, Zak, who was born in Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital, London, on September 13, 1965, at the height of The Beatles’ fame. At the time, the Fab Four were still a live act touring major venues for the enjoyment of thousands of delirious fans. Nevertheless, it is reported in “Ringo Starr: Straight Man or Joker?” that the world’s most famous drummer made an effort to spend as much time as possible with his infant son — despite never really engaging in the act of changing diapers, which he only did once before The Beatles ceased touring. The name Zak was reportedly decided upon because Ringo had a phobia of names that could be shortened (his own name “Richard” is sometimes shorted to “Dick,” which explains why).

While Ringo has been considered one of rock music’s nice guys, his son Zak spent a good deal of time during his youth with one of the industry’s most notable bad boys: the Who drummer Keith Moon. Ringo himself only ever gave Zak one drumming lesson and preferred the boy to be taught piano.

Nevertheless, Zak grew up to become a famous drummer in his own right, beginning in a garage band called The Next, which later became Monopacific. Ringo’s eldest was insistent at the time that he required no help from his superstar father to make a success of himself in the world of music. He hit the big time later in life as drummer for both The Who and Oasis.