Ringo Starr gives health update and cancels end of US tour

Ringo Starr is feeling less than stellar – which means his US tour is coming to an early end.

The former Beatle, 84, canceled the final two shows of his summer tour of North America on Tuesday after catching a cold. He explained the cancellations on Instagram just hours before he was set to take the stage in Philadelphia.

“Ringo has caught a cold and after consulting with a doctor, he has been advised to cancel these two remaining shows and rest,” the statement said, adding that ticket holders for Tuesday’s show – and Wednesday’s finale in at Radio City Music Hall in New York City – who did not attend – would receive automatic refunds.

“As always, Ringo and the All Starrs send peace and love to their fans and hope to see them again soon,” the post ended.

While some would-be showgoers expressed frustration with the last-minute appointment, with one saying, “Four hours before the show is devilish,” most sent well wishes.

“I love you, Ringo. I hope you feel better soon!” wrote one user.

“I’m sad we won’t be able to see him tonight but first and foremost we just want him to be healthy and happy,” said another.

Ringo and the All Starrs kicked off their 12-date fall tour on September 7 in San Diego with a stop the next day at the Greek Theater – almost 35 years to the day since their first appearance there on September 3, 1989.

“I remember it like it was yesterday. It was so clear that night,” Starr told The Times earlier this month. “LA became the right place for me.”

The British-born musician has lived largely in La La Land since the early 1990s.

“When we first came here in 1964, I wore a poncho, a holster and a toy gun,” he said. “We went to Burt Lancaster and he said, ‘Ringo, what are you doing?’ I said, ‘Man, I’m in LA – I’m a cowboy.'”

None of the songs from Starr’s April EP “Crooked Boy” were on the setlist for this tour – and for good reason, he said diversity in May.

“I promise you, every band out there says, ‘I’d like to do something from my new LP, EP or CD,’ and you can feel the vibe of people going to the bathroom or finding some t-shirts. ” he said. “The All Starrs thing is so great because (playing the hits) is the reason we’re there.”

Starr and Paul McCartney, 82, are the only two surviving members of The Beatles after John Lennon was murdered in 1980 and George Harrison died of cancer in 2001.

Around the time of his birthday in July, Starr said Fox News he felt “fit as a fiddle” and trained “almost every day”.