He also performed on their early recordings with the Beatles, including "Love Me Do," "Please Please Me," "From Me to You," and "She Loves You," all of which appeared on the band's debut album Please Please Me. In 1964 Ringo became Ringo Starr and released his first solo single, "It Don't Come Easy," which failed to chart. In 1965, however, he had a hit single with "I Wanna Be Your Man," which reached #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
He released his first solo album next year entitled Ringo. It was a critical success but did not sell well, reaching only #203 on the Billboard 200 album chart. By 1970, however, his second album Ringo was a commercial success and reached #1 on the US album chart for a week.
His third album Take This Job And Shove It followed in 1971 and reached #1 on both sides of the Atlantic that same year. The single from that album titled "Photograph" reached #1 on both sides of the Atlantic as well. In 1973 he released his fourth album Goodnight Vienna, which topped both sides of the Atlantic.
It has been described by Rolling Stone as one of Starr's best albums ever. It has been certified platinum in America while also being certified seven times platinum in Britain by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Goodnight Vienna remains Starr's highest-selling studio album to date, having sold over 5 million copies worldwide by 2008.
As well as his own releases, Starr has collaborated with other artists including George Harrison (All Things Must Pass), Harry Nilsson (The Magic Christian), Lou Reed (Ringo), Peter Frampton (Ringo), Elton John (Best Of Vol 1 & 2), Joe Walsh (The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour Vol 1 & 2) and Billy Preston (Ringo).