Ringo Starr receives honorary doctorate on 86th birthday

Ringo Starr has been awarded an honorary degree from the University of Liverpool.

The news came in time to celebrate the former Beatle's 86th birthday.

"I want to thank the University of Liverpool for this honorary degree and for coming all the way to LA to bestow it. I'm really honoured," the BBC reported Starr as saying.

The drummer also encouraged attendees to "follow your dreams".

"I've been thinking back on my life a lot lately," Starr mused. "And when I chose to become a drummer full-time, my family discouraged me. And they could have been right, but they weren't. It all worked out."

He continued, "So to all the graduates back in Liverpool, I send peace and love and want to say don't be afraid to follow your dreams, or take that right turn and see where it goes."

University of Liverpool chancellor, Wendy Beetlestone, added that it was a "great privilege to recognise Ringo, whose influential musical work, particularly in The Beatles, has helped shape the identity and global reputation of Liverpool", the BBC reported.

Starr's birthday is a globally recognised event in the music world. Since 2008, he has hosted an annual event encouraging fans everywhere to pause and say or think "Peace and Love" precisely at noon in their local time zones.