On 22 January 1985, he married Sarah Menikides. Their daughter Tatia was born on 6 September 1985. Shortly after his marriage, Starkey recorded a musical version of Wind in the Willows with Eddie Hardin.In 1992 and 1995, Starkey toured with Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band, having previously guested on the band's 1989 tour. He briefly joined The Semantics, replacing founding drummer Jody Spence, during the recording process for their album Powerbill, which ended up being unreleased except in Japan. He joined the band when they moved from Nashville to Los Angeles, and played in some shows and some recording sessions, but the band broke up less than a year after he joined.
In 1985, he joined his father on Sun City by Artists United Against Apartheid and played on John Entwistle's solo album The Rock (released in 1996). He replaced Chris Sharrock as the drummer in the Icicle Works in 1989, leaving the band the next year without appearing on any recordings with them. A B-side later issued by founder member Ian McNabb, featured him on drums and is presumed to date from his tenure with the group. Starkey also played on the 1989 album Silver and Gold, a solo work released by Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith.