Ringo Starr’s 80th Birthday Event: A Little Help From His Friends
by Best Classic Bands Staff
Ringo Starr celebrated his 80th birthday on July 7with a special show that aired on AXS TV and on Starr’s YouTube channel. The legend received a little help from his friends, some of whom made new video presentations of songs from the Beatles and Starr’s catalog.
The virtual event, dubbed “Ringo’s Big Birthday Show,” commenced at 8 p.m. ET. (Fans are also encouraged to make a donation to various causes shown in the graphic on this page).
Starr, seated behind a drum kit, served as the master of ceremonies for the pre-taped special. It opened with an earlier performance of “It Don’t Come Easy” with the All Starr Band. After his wife, actress Barbara Bach, and Walsh wished him a happy birthday, Sheila E. sang “Come Together” with Starr remotely playing drums.
The program was interspersed with brief greetings from Bob Geldof, Giles Martin, Edgar Winter, Colin Hay, Ron Howard, Olivia Harrison, Mick Fleetwood, and others.
Sheryl Crow singing “All You Need is Love”
Crow sang the Beatles’ “All You Need is Love,” accompanying herself on various instruments including a ukulele, an accordion, and cello. Next up was Walsh who played the Beatles’ “Boys,” which was Starr’s first recorded vocal with the group.
While Starr didn’t gather with family, friends and fans at Capitol Records this year, he continues his “Peace and Love” initiative by encouraging his fans to “think, say or post #PeaceAndLove” at Noon that day, wherever they are.
Related: Ringo received birthday wishes from his predecessor, Pete Best
The special also repurposed a live performance of Gary Clark Jr. and his band playing “Come Together.” The program closed with a performance from Dodger Stadium on July 13, 2019, during Paul McCartney’s “Freshen Up” tour when Starr joined his pal for a performance of “Helter Skelter.”
“As everyone knows I love gathering with fans for peace and love on my birthday. But this year, I want everyone to be safe at home – so I called up a few friends and we put this Big Birthday Show together so we could still celebrate my birthday with you all, with some great music for some great charities. I hope you will all join me! Peace and Love, Ringo.”
The broadcast also featured the premiere of a guest star version of Ringo’s “Give More Love” that was created to benefit Musicares and features Jeff Bridges, Jackson Browne, T Bone Burnette, Elvis Costello, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Peter Frampton, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Keb Mo and Willie Nelson.
The ongoing pandemic forced Starr to postpone the 2020 edition of his All Starr Band tour to 2021. Details are here.
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3 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationHappy Birthday Ringo on the big 80 rock on ,Peace and Love to you and your family
Happy Birthday Ringo! Enjoy your day!!
I had a milestone birthday too… 65 on 6/8…
I’ve been following you and all of the Beatles through all these years since I was 9….
Keep Rockin’!!!!
Peace Love and Happiness to you and your family….
✌
❤ Happy birthday Ringo, Sir Richard Starkey 80th birthday many many
More good times ahead waiting for you
Peace and love Lucy kenney❤❤