Ringo Starr says Paul McCartney is 'doing good' and 'getting ready to rock'

LOS ANGELES, June 24 (UPI) -- Ringo Starr recently updated fans on Paul McCartney's health.

In an interview with Access Hollywood, the 73-year-old musician revealed his former Beatles bandmate is on the mend. McCartney, 72, was forced to cancel or postpone a series of Asian and North American tour dates in late May and early June after he was hospitalized for a virus in Japan.

"I spoke to him actually while he was in the hospital, because not knowing at the time, I just sort of dialed and said 'Hello?'" Starr relates. "He picked up and we said hi, and he said he's doing okay, that he was still in the hospital. Now he's out and getting fit and he's getting ready to rock."

"He's doing good," he continues. "I text him and he texts me back. And he was actually out the night before with Barbara, my wife, and Joe Walsh and Marjorie [Walsh's wife and Barbara's sister] and Nancy [Shevell, McCartney's wife]. They were all like, dinner out, so they all say he's doing good."

McCartney will resume his U.S. tour in early July, and perform his rescheduled U.S. June dates in October. A representative had indicated in May that the musician may reschedule his Asian tour dates as well.