Today is the 80th birthday of Ringo Starr, which does seem to be a bit unreal, at least to me. As he has done since 2008, Ringo is asking people wherever they are on the planet to say the words ‘peace and love’ at noon their local time. He’s also doing a birthday show, but given the global COVID-19 pandemic, things will be a bit different this year. Rather than repeating what I previously said, I let him address it directly. Ringo is much more entertaining than I could ever be, which is one of several reasons why The Beatles wouldn’t have been the same without him.
To join Ringo’s Big Birthday Show later today at 8:00 pm U.S. EDT/5:00 pm U.S. PDT, go to his YouTube channel. Here’s a little fun teaser what to expect.
I’m also using the occasion to republish a post from exactly three years ago. Coz, why not?
And don’t forget, love and peace!
I feel we need it more than ever, especially in this country these days!
Repost from July 7, 2017
Today, Ringo Starr celebrated his 77th birthday and announced his upcoming 19th studio album. As the Los Angeles Times reported, Starr and hundreds of fans and fellow musicians gathered at Capitol Records Tower in Hollywood for a “Peace and Love” birthday celebration. The annual event has been conducted since 2008, when Starr was asked about his birthday wish and replied “more peace and love.” Ever since he has asked his fans all over the world to stop at noon their local time and say the words “peace and love” to spread the message.
“The great thing is that it’s continuing to grow,” Starr said in the above LA Times story. “When this started in Chicago in 2008, there were maybe 60 or 100 people…My dream — my fantasy — is that one day in the future everyone on the planet will stop at noon and say, ‘Peace and love.’”
Starr was born as Richard Starkey on July 7, 1940 in Liverpool, England. Of course, he is best known as the drummer of The Beatles, replacing Pete Best in August 1962. Prior to that he had played in Rory Storm and The Hurricanes, which had become one of Liverpool’s leading bands in early 1960. Starr met The Beatles for the first time at Kaiserkeller in Hamburg, Germany on October 1, 1960. Just like The Beatles, The Hurricanes had accepted a residency in the Northern German city.
Only two weeks later after the initial encounter, Starr joined John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison to back up Hurricanes singer Lou Walters during a recording of the George Gershwin tune Summertime. During that time period in Hamburg, Starr also filled in for Best on a few occasions. In August 1962, Lennon asked Starr whether he wanted to join The Beatles. Apparently, George Martin wasn’t very impressed with Best’s drumming. Five months later, the Fab Four recorded their debut studio album Please Please Me, which was released in March 1963.
After the official break-up of The Beatles in early 1970, Starr launched a solo career, which to date has included 18 studio albums. No. 19 is called Give More Love and scheduled for September 15th. Rolling Stone just reported that Paul McCartney appears in two songs on the record: We’re On the Road Again and Show Me the Way. Other guests include Joe Walsh, Edgar Winter, Steve Lukather, Peter Frampton, Richard Marx, Dave Stewart, Don Was and Timothy B. Schmit. The record’s title song, a nice mid-tempo tune, has already been released, and the album is available for pre-order.
In mid-October, Starr and his All-Starr Band will kick off a 19-gig U.S. tour in support of the album. The All-Starr Band, a live rock supergroup, has existed in different configurations since 1989. The upcoming line-up will include Lukather, Todd Rundgren, Gregg Rolie, Richard Page, Warren Ham and Gregg Bissonette.
Following is a selection of songs to celebrate Starr’s birthday:
Octupus’s Garden (The Beatles, Abbey Road, 1969)
It Don’t Come Easy (non-album single, 1971)
Photograph (Ringo, 1973)
Wrack My Brain (Stop and Smell the Roses, 1981; written by George Harrison)
Walk With You (Y Not, 2010; duet with Paul McCartney)
Postcards From Paradise (Postcards From Paradise, 2015)
Sources: Wikipedia; Christian’s Music Musings; Los Angeles Times; Rolling Stone; Ringo Starr web site & YouTube channel; YouTube
Christian's Music Musings 
Ringo has to be one of the most likable guys in rock. I saw him exactly 8 years ago on his 72nd birthday. I have the dvd now of it.
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Definitely. I’m supposed to see him next year at the Beacon Theatre in NYC – keeping fingers crossed!
I watched and enjoyed his birthday show!
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I hope you get to Christian… he runs about the stage like a 30 year old. With his All-Stars you get your moneys worth and then some. It’s like Ringo and a sample platter from all of these other people.
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It’s supposed to be in June. Hopefully, by then it’ll be safe again to see shows.
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What did you think of this? I was a bit disappointed frankly. Firstly it was only an hour and a good amount of that time was taken up with social causes. Nothing against that but I really wanted to be entertained and not think about stuff for once. Then the whole social distancing thing just kinda killed it for me. Old clips. And -minus them playing “Helter Skelter” together at some previous show, where the hell was Paul? Joe Walsh can come over and hang out but Paul can’t? Or Paul couldn’t make one lousy Happy Birthday video? And what the hell is up with Mick Fleetwood and Olivia Harrison?
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I liked it overall, but I guess went in with moderate expectations. I certainly didn’t expect it to be comparable to the Eagles concert ESPN premiered the other day – both in terms of the music and the length.
To me the two highlights were Sheila E’s firecracker version of “Come Together” and Sheryl Crow’s performance, though now I’m blanking on which song she sang – jeez! 🙂
The social causes didn’t bother me. They kind of fit Ringo’s “Peace and Love” birthday theme.
I entirely agree with you the whole thing should have been longer than just one hour – 90 minutes would have been more appropriate.
I also was disappointed about McCartney who almost was like an afterthought. Perhaps, Joe Walsh was in LA while McCartney wasn’t, so it was easier for Walsh to show up. But even if you assume McCartney wasn’t able to travel, I agree he could have done a birthday video or, unless he was/is in the UK, they could have piped him in, just as they did with Sheila E. and he could have played something “live” with Ringo. Reducing it to a clip from Dodger Stadium, which I believe was previously available on YouTube, was measley – especially given I believe Paul is on very good terms with Ringo. He certainly speaks very fondly of him.
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I’ve yet to watch the freaking Eagles thing! I think Sheila Crow did “All You Need is Love.” That’s a song I’m afraid hasn’t held up for me over the years.
The McCartney no-show is profoundly disappointing. Yes, I know they’re still good friends. My God! He couldn’t make a video? A stunning oversight.
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I think you’re right, “All You Need Is Love” – I guess all I need is a better memory!🤣
While it’s of course not unheard of, I liked how Sheryl did a multi-track video, essentially playing all instruments and harmonizing with herself.
Unlike Paul, who I agree really should have done a video as well – at least record a birthday wish!
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Trust that I will sufficiently chastise Sir Paul when next we meet!
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