Ringo Starr and Barry Gibb to Officially be Knighted; Mark Almond Receiving OBE

by Paul Cashmere, Noise11 & VVN Music

Mr Barry Gibb is now Sir Barry Gibb. Mr Ringo Starr is now officially Sir Ringo Starr. The former Bee Gee and Beatle have been officially announced for knighthoods in the Queen’s New Year Honours of 2018.

Ringo’s news leaked last week but Barry kept his a secret until now.

Ringo is the second Beatle to be honoured. Sir Paul McCartney received his knighthood in 1997.

While the Bee Gees formed in Brisbane, Australia, the brothers Gibb were all British born. Sir Barry Alan Crompton Gibb was born in Douglas, Isle of Man on 1 September 1946. He is now 71.

I am deeply honoured, humbled, and very proud. This is a moment in life to be treasured and never forgotten. I want to acknowledge how responsible my brothers are for this honour. It is as much theirs as it is mine.

— Barry Gibb (@GibbBarry) December 30, 2017

The Bee Gees recorded their first album ‘The Bee Gees Sing and Play 14 Barry Gibb Songs’ in Sydney in 1965 for Lee Gordon’s Leedon label. Barry was 17 years old when the album was released. His brothers Maurice and Robin were 14. They went on to sell over 220 million records worldwide.

Ringo’s knighthood is his second royal honour. He was also awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1965.

Huge congrats Sir Ringo! Sir Richard Starkey has a nice ring to it. Best drummer best pal! X Paul pic.twitter.com/ew5PuxhEv1

— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) December 30, 2017

Also being honored are Mark Almond, who is receiving an OBE, and Wiley (MBE).