Jason Starkey: Ringo Starr’s Son — Career, Music & Life

Jason Starkey is the second son of Beatles legend Ringo Starr and his first wife, Maureen Starkey Cox. Born on August 19, 1967, in London, he’s spent his life surrounded by rock royalty — but he’s carved out his own identity as a drummer, road manager, and photographer. Known as “Jay” within his family, Starkey has quietly built a career in music and behind-the-scenes work without relying on his father’s fame.

While his older brother Zak Starkey became one of the most recognized session drummers in British rock, Jason took a different path — one that blends performing, production logistics, and visual arts.

Early Life and Childhood

Jason Starkey was born at Queen Charlotte’s Hospital in Hammersmith, London, on August 19, 1967. At the time of his birth, The Beatles were at the peak of their cultural dominance — the band had released Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band just two months earlier in June 1967.

Growing up as the middle child of Ringo Starr and Maureen Cox, Jason was raised alongside his older brother Zak (born September 13, 1965) and younger sister Lee (born November 11, 1970). The Starkey household was anything but ordinary. Famous musicians and artists passed through regularly, and the sound of drumming was a constant.

His parents’ marriage ended in divorce in 1975, when Jason was just eight years old. Despite the split, both parents remained active in their children’s lives. Ringo later married actress Barbara Bach on April 27, 1981, giving Jason and his siblings a stepmother who’d starred in the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me.

Famous Father: Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr (born Richard Starkey on July 7, 1940, in Liverpool) needs little introduction. As the drummer for The Beatles from 1962 to 1970, he helped shape modern popular music. After the band’s breakup, Ringo launched a successful solo career and has led the All-Starr Band since 1989.

For Jason, having a father who’s one of the most famous drummers in history created both opportunities and pressure. The Starkey children grew up with access to world-class instruments, studios, and mentors. But they also lived under constant public scrutiny. Every career choice was measured against their father’s legacy.

Ringo was knighted in 2018, becoming Sir Richard Starkey. He’s spoken publicly about wanting his children to find their own way rather than live in his shadow — a sentiment that clearly influenced Jason’s decision to work both on and off stage.

Mother: Maureen Starkey Cox

Maureen Starkey (born Mary Cox on August 4, 1946, in Liverpool) married Ringo Starr on February 11, 1965, at Caxton Hall in London. She was just 18. The couple had three children together before divorcing in 1975.

After the divorce, Maureen married Isaac Tigrett, co-founder of the Hard Rock Cafe, in 1989. Together they had a daughter, Augusta Tigrett, who’s Jason’s half-sister.

Maureen was diagnosed with leukemia in the early 1990s. She died on December 30, 1994, at age 48. Her death was a devastating blow to the entire family. Ringo Starr, despite their divorce nearly two decades earlier, was reportedly at her bedside during her final days. Jason was 27 when he lost his mother — an event that deeply affected him and his siblings.

Music Career

Like his father and older brother Zak, Jason Starkey gravitated toward the drums. He picked up sticks at a young age and developed a hard-hitting style that drew from classic rock rather than the pop sensibilities his father was known for.

Jason played drums for several bands over the years. His most notable projects include:

• Musty Jack Sponge and the Exploding Nudists — An indie rock outfit where Jason served as the primary drummer. The band’s name alone signaled that he wasn’t interested in playing it safe or coasting on family connections.
• Empire of Dogs — Another band that gave Jason a platform to perform and record. The group leaned into raw, guitar-driven rock.

Jason’s drumming style is energetic and direct. He’s never pursued the session-musician route that made his brother Zak famous, instead preferring smaller, less commercially driven projects. That choice kept him out of the mainstream spotlight but gave him creative freedom that bigger gigs wouldn’t have allowed.

Road Manager and Behind-the-Scenes Work

Beyond drumming, Jason Starkey built a second career as a road manager — the person responsible for coordinating logistics, equipment, schedules, and daily operations during concert tours. It’s a grueling, detail-heavy job that requires someone who understands both the technical and human sides of live music.

Jason worked as a road manager for two of Britain’s biggest rock acts:

• The Who — His brother Zak became The Who’s touring drummer in 1996 (and later their official drummer), so Jason’s connection to the band ran deep. Working behind the scenes for The Who meant managing one of rock’s most demanding live shows.
• Oasis — During the Gallagher brothers’ heyday, Jason helped keep the notoriously chaotic Oasis tours on track. Given that Zak also drummed for Oasis on several recordings, the Starkey brothers were a package deal for some of the biggest tours in 1990s British rock.

Road management suited Jason’s personality. He’s always been more comfortable working behind the curtain than standing in the spotlight, and the role let him stay deeply involved in live music without the pressure of performing on massive stages.

Photography

Jason Starkey also works as a photographer. He’s shown a particular interest in capturing candid, unpolished moments — a skill that comes naturally to someone who’s spent decades backstage and on tour buses. His photographic work isn’t widely exhibited in mainstream galleries, but it represents yet another creative outlet for a man who grew up surrounded by art and music.

Photography gives Jason a way to document the world he knows intimately: the gritty, unglamorous reality of rock tours, the quiet moments between soundchecks, and the people who make live music happen.

Siblings: Zak and Lee Starkey

Zak Starkey (born September 13, 1965) is Jason’s older brother and arguably the most famous of Ringo’s children. Zak became a professional drummer at a young age — ironically, he was taught not by his father but by The Who’s Keith Moon, who was Ringo’s close friend. Zak went on to drum for The Who (first as a touring member, then as their official drummer), Oasis, and Johnny Marr. He’s considered one of the best rock drummers of his generation.

Lee Starkey (born November 11, 1970) is Jason’s younger sister. She’s worked as a fashion designer and makeup artist. Lee has largely stayed out of the public eye, though she survived a brain tumor in 1995 — just months after their mother Maureen’s death from leukemia. The back-to-back health crises hit the Starkey family hard.

Jason also has a half-sister, Augusta Tigrett (born 1987), from his mother Maureen’s second marriage to Isaac Tigrett.

Personal Life

Jason Starkey has kept his personal life largely private. He married Flora Evans, and together they have children, including a son named Louis Starkey. Unlike his father and brother, Jason hasn’t sought media attention, and he rarely gives interviews.

Standing at 193 cm (6’4″), Jason is notably taller than his father Ringo, who’s 5’8″. He’s maintained a low profile throughout his adult life, preferring to let his work speak for itself rather than trade on the Starkey name.

At 58, Jason continues to balance his various creative interests. He splits his time between music, photography, and family — a quieter life than the one his father leads with the All-Starr Band’s ongoing world tours, but one that suits him.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Jason Starkey?

Jason Starkey is the second son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr and his first wife, Maureen Starkey Cox. Born on August 19, 1967, he’s a drummer, former road manager for The Who and Oasis, and a photographer.

How old is Jason Starkey?

Jason Starkey is 58 years old. He was born on August 19, 1967, in London, England. His zodiac sign is Leo.

What bands has Jason Starkey played in?

Jason has drummed for several bands, including Musty Jack Sponge and the Exploding Nudists and Empire of Dogs. He’s also worked as a road manager for The Who and Oasis.

Who are Jason Starkey’s siblings?

Jason has an older brother, Zak Starkey (drummer for The Who and Oasis), a younger sister, Lee Starkey (fashion designer), and a half-sister, Augusta Tigrett, from his mother’s second marriage.

How tall is Jason Starkey?

Jason Starkey stands at 193 cm, which is approximately 6 feet 4 inches tall.

Related Celebrity Bios

If you found this article on Jason Starkey interesting, check out these related profiles of people connected to famous families:

• Augusta Tigrett — Jason’s half-sister, daughter of Maureen Starkey and Isaac Tigrett
• Lee Starkey — Jason’s younger sister, fashion designer and Ringo Starr’s daughter
• Sam Ryan Springsteen — Son of Bruce Springsteen, another child of rock royalty
• Taj Collins — Celebrity family connections and personal achievements