All Ringo Starr wants for his 84th birthday is 'peace and love' — and a trippy two-tiered cake
LOS ANGELES — What do you give Ringo Starr on his 84th birthday? Global peace and love, naturally.
And the former Beatles drummer threw both vibes right back into the universe at Sunday's "Ringo's Annual Peace & Love Birthday Celebration" in Beverly Hills. More than 300 fans and friends braved the Southern California heat wave for the midday event next to the 800-pound metal peace symbol statute Starr designed and gave to the city in 2019.
Similar "Peace & Love" celebrations took place around the country, including at Wisconsin's Lambeau Field, and in 35 international locations, from Russia to Japan.
"We started doing this celebration with about 50 people in 2008. And now we've got people waving and smiling at me from all over," Starr said from the stage. "All I can do is say, 'Peace and love.'"
He continued, "I'm truly grateful that you all turned up today. Otherwise, I'd have been very lonely."
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But Starr is hardly ever lonely.
'I'm not doing a book':Ringo Starr will keep on drumming, but forget about a memoir
The former Beatle arrived at his birthday celebration with his wife of 43 years, Barbara Bach, and his brother-in-law, Joe Walsh — the Eagles legend, guitarist, and songwriter is married to Marjorie Bach.
Songwriter Diane Warren, musicians Ben Harper, Stephen Stills, Duff McKagan and producer Don Was, along with more of Starr's friends, were waiting in garden seats for the birthday boy's prompt arrival.
How did Ringo Starr celebrate his 84th birthday?
Looking spry in a white denim jacket, black Adidas track pants, and sunglasses, Starr told USA TODAY he started his birthday morning with a "special breakfast," which consisted of almond croissants − he left room for cake, though.
"I feel fit as a fiddle, and I'm doing well," the octogenarian said, adding that the annual celebration is meant to spread good feelings around the globe.
At noon local time, participants at each location thought, felt and said, "Peace and love."
There's obviously still strife and conflict in the world since Starr started his peace-focused celebration in Chicago on his 2008 birthday. "But it takes time," he said.
"I can only promote peace and love," Starr added. "And it's getting better. So if we get one more person today from last year thinking this way, then we're building up. Yes. And we're getting a lot more than one."
More:Ringo Starr talks hanging with McCartney, why he's making a country album and new tour
Brother-in-law Joe Walsh paid tribute to Ringo Starr during birthday celebration
Willie Watson (singing Starr's country song "Beaucoups of Blues") and Harper (singing "Walk With You") led a brief musical tribute onstage before Walsh introduced "Sir Ringo Starr" to the stage (Starr was knighted by Prince William in 2018).
Walsh claimed that neither he nor Starr could remember the "late-night jam session" during which the two met more than 50 years ago. But they became "instant best friends."
"The world loves Ringo Starr. He was the Beatle you wanted to hang out with, the beating heart of the most beloved musical act in history, the drummer by which all drummers will be measured for all time," Walsh said. "Think of the power we can harness when people from the many corners of this great big world can all come together at the same time to say, think and straight up declare, 'Peace and love.' That's what we're here for."
Starr helped give the final countdown to noon before declaring a boisterous "Peace and love" to the world.
The band broke into the Beatles' "Birthday" as Starr and Bach danced on the stage. Men in black suits held the two-tiered cake with a trippy blue frosty covered with stars, rainbows and Starr's favorite emojis — broccoli, musical notes, and naturally, the peace sign.
Paul McCartney sent a birthday greeting to Ringo Starr
The other surviving Beatle, Paul McCartney, 82, didn't attend the celebration but still wished his former bandmate a happy birthday on Instagram.
"Hope Sir Richard Starkey has a fabulous day," McCartney wrote, referring to Starr by his birth name.
James McCartney, Paul's son, also wished Starr a happy birthday.
"Ringo plays the drums so eloquently," he wrote. "I've known him since I was a kid and he's uncle Ringo to me. Happy Birthday @ringostarrmusic! ✌🏻❤️"