Beatles legend Ringo Starr cancels tour due to illness

The Beatles legend Ringo Starr has cancelled his remaining US shows due to illness.

A statement has assured fans his illness isn't serious and he'll be back on stage soon.

"Ringo has come down with a cold and after consulting a doctor he was advised to cancel these two remaining shows and get rest," it read.

"As always, Ringo and the All Starrs send peace and love to their fans and hope to see them soon."

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Starr, 84, was scheduled to perform at Radio City Music Hall in New York this week and also missed a concert in Philadelphia.

"Ticket holders will be notified via email and will be automatically refunded. Or should contact their point of purchase for refunds," they were assured.

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Starr was drummer for the Beatles until the group disbanded in 1970.

He later founded the All Starr Band which was scheduled to perform from September 7 until 22 before he was taken ill.

Starr's most recent EP Crooked Boy was released in April, a collaboration with the Stroke's guitarist Nick Valensi and famed songwriter and producer Linda Perry.

Starr told Variety he asked Perry to write rock songs for the project as he returned to his roots.

"Even on February Sky, it was all about the dark sky everywhere in February, so that's an emotion in there. But I told her, 'There's gotta be a crack – a break in the sky – and the sun is coming out'," he said.

"Because all my songs have that. They can be 'I'm down, I'm this, I'm that… But things are getting better, things are going up.' They always have a positive upside.'"

During his time with the Beatles Starr usually sand one song on each album including Yellow Submarine and With a Little Help from My Friends.

He also wrote and sang the Beatles hits Don't Pass Me By and Octopus's Garden.

Starr reflected on his time working with fellow Beatles legend Paul McCartney during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to discuss the group's documentary Get Back and his book Lifted.

He spoke of iconic moments including the time the band performed a concert on the rooftop of their Apple Corps headquarters at 3 Savile Row in London in 1969 and their infamous Abbey Road album cover, adding that he was "always captivated by Paul's genius."

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Kimmel read out a card from McCartney in which he described Starr as "the greatest drummer in the world."

Starr has been married to actress Barbara Bach since 1981.

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