Named in honor of Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey: 1940– ), a Liverpudlian of lively personality and deadpan humor who occasionally sat in as drummer with The Beatles {see planet  (8749)} during their early days in Hamburg. Ringo actually joined the group in 1962, after the original drummer, Pete Best, left. Ringo’s solo career has encompassed several albums and a variety of film roles. (M 16248) _ _.