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Ringo Starr paused.

The legendary drummer for The Beatles had just been asked what was the best compliment he had ever received.

"Thanks for being useful," he eventually said.

Starr — who turned 72 on Saturday, July 7 — has been far more than useful during his career, which began in 1957 when he and friend Eddie Miles formed the Eddie Clayton Skiffle Group.

That band eventually became known as Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. While that band was in Hamburg — which was then part of West Germany — Starr met John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and the rest of The Beatles. Starr replaced Pete Best as the band's drummer in August 1962, and during the next eight years he was an integral part of the foursome that changed the course of music history.

In a recent telephone interview, Starr admitted that — like the rest of the world — he finds himself listening to The Beatles from time to time.

"I was listening to the guys," he said, "and they sound like young boys."

Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band

When » Wednesday, July 11 at 8 p.m.

Where » Usana Amphitheatre, 5150 S. 6055 West, West Valley City

Tickets » $20 to $58 at SmithsTix

All-Starr Band » Newcomers Steve Lukather (Toto) and Gregg Rolie (Santana and Journey) will join All-Starr alumni Richard Page, Todd Rundgren, Mark Rivera, and Gregg Bissonette.