The drummer followed in the footsteps of MCCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison by becoming the last member of the band to be inducted as a solo artist at the ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio.

MCCartney gave a touching speech at the annual event, recalling the first moment Starr took to the stage as a part of the Beatles, saying, "We got friendly with him, and he used to come in late night when we were playing (sic), and he requested a couple of songs, so we got to know him. And one night our drummer then, Pete Best, wasn't available, so Ringo sat in. And I remember the moment. I mean, Pete was great, and we had a good time with him. But me, John and George, God bless 'em, were on the front line singing, and now behind us we had this guy we'd never played with before, and I remember the moment when he started to play - I think it was Ray Charles, What'd I Say, and most of the drummers couldn't nail the drum part. It was a little difficult to do, but Ringo nailed it."

Among the 2015 honourees joining Starr were singer Bill Withers, rock band Green Day, late musicians Lou Reed and Stevie Ray Vaughan, soul group the '5' Royales and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts.

Performers at the ceremony included Foo Fighters' frontman Dave Grohl, Beck, John Legend and Rage Against the MAChine star Tom Morello.