Legendary Beatles drummer Ringo Starr landed in Israel on Thursday, ahead of two concerts he will give at Tel Aviv's Menora Mivtachim Arena as part of his "Ringo and His All Starr Band World Tour."
This is Starr's first visit to Israel.
Back in 1965, the Beatles were supposed to have performed in Israel, but the government canceled the concert out of concern that the band would corrupt local youth.
Starr was originally scheduled to give only one show, but added a second date after the first one sold out in May.
At a press conference last week in Paris, Starr was asked if he had been approached by former Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters, now a vocal proponent of the BDS movement who has pressured fellow artists not to appear in Israel.
Starr said he was not aware of any pressure from Waters.
He said he was in Israel as a performer, not as a politician, and wanted to spread "peace and love."
Born in Liverpool in 1940, Starr joined the Beatles in 1962, replacing the group's original drummer, Pete Best. He helped write many of the band's hits. Like the others, after the group disbanded in 1970, he pursued a solo career.
Starr was knighted last year by Queen Elizabeth II, becoming the second Beatle to receive the honor, after Paul McCartney.
