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Hastings Musician Is Beatles' Ringo Starr Alter Ego

HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – Anthony "Ringo" Kulp was not yet born when the Beatles were still together revolutionizing the music world between 1960 and 1970, but the Hastings musician knows more about his idol Ringo Starr and the Fab Four than most avid fans from the era.

Hastings resident Anthony Ringo-Kulp at his drum kit backed by Beatles memorabilia.

Hastings resident Anthony Ringo-Kulp at his drum kit backed by Beatles memorabilia.

Photo Credit: Danny LoPriore
Ringo look-alike Anthony Ringo-Kulp with part of his photo collection.

Ringo look-alike Anthony Ringo-Kulp with part of his photo collection.

Photo Credit: Danny LoPriore
Anthony Ringo's Beatles memorabilia.

Anthony Ringo's Beatles memorabilia.

Photo Credit: Danny LoPriore
Anthony Ringo-Kulp with a copy of the newspaper detailing John Lennon's murder on Dec. 8, 1980.

Anthony Ringo-Kulp with a copy of the newspaper detailing John Lennon's murder on Dec. 8, 1980.

Photo Credit: Danny LoPriore
Wall-to-wall Beatles in Anthony Ringo-Kulp's apartment.

Wall-to-wall Beatles in Anthony Ringo-Kulp's apartment.

Photo Credit: Danny LoPriore

"I remember my mother (Terry) singing "Love, Love Me Do" and listening to the Beatles when I was a little kid," Kulp said. "When I was a teenager, teachers used to ask me how I knew all the Beatles songs, being so young. I guess I just loved the music from the start."

As a Beatles devotee, Kulp will join fans worldwide in remembering John Lennon Saturday on the 32nd anniversary of Lennon's death in 1980, when he was murdered outside his home in Manhattan.

"I was only 3, but I feel like I've been a fan of John's forever," the 34-year-old Yonkers native said. "I think we lost  one of rock's greatest talents. George Harrison died too young also. I think the Beatles were phenomenal and each of them had great solo careers as well."

Growing into adulthood with a remarkable resemblance to the Beatles drummer, this Ringo looked for a musical outlet during adolescence and found that his singing voice wasn't his best quality, so he gravitated to the drums and has played since his early teens. His Facebook page is titled Anthony Ringo, and most of his friends know him by that name.

"I relate to the Beatles because they were not music students, and learned without being able to read music," Ringo-Kulp said. "I wish I had the voice to sing their music, but the drums fit me perfectly. I always can get a lot of energy going when I play, and that is good therapy."

While his drumming has not resulted in a full-time musical career, the Ringo look-alike surrounds himself with Beatles memorabilia, photos and recorded music and has performed at Beatles tributes as well as playing rock and roll with friends and groups along the way. His apartment is a wall-to-wall and ceiling-to-floor Beatles tribute. And for Anthony Ringo-Kulp, fate and his love of the music have forged a lifetime bond he feels with his favorite Beatle.

"People have been saying I look like Ringo for years," he said. "I had the chance to meet Ringo for just a few seconds backstage and would love to meet him again to get to talk to him again someday."

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