NEW YORK (AFP) - Musician and songwriter Ringo Starr, former drummer of the iconic British pop group the Beatles, will release his 18th studio album, Postcards From Paradise, on March 31.

The 74-year-old will tour the United States and Latin America ahead of the album's release. The one-month tour kicks off on Feb 13 and he will be joined by his All Starr Band of other prominent musicians including Richard Page, who fronted the 1980s pop band Mr Mister, former Toto guitarist Steve Lukather and Gregg Bissonette, a drummer for heavy metal guitarists Steve Vai and Joe Satriani.

Already in the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Beatles, Starr will receive the accolade in his own right at an April 18 ceremony in Cleveland.

His new album comes as the other surviving Beatle, Paul McCartney, is also releasing surprise collaborations in recent weeks with rapper Kanye West and pop singer Rihanna.