Happy 82nd Birthday, Ringo Starr!!

 

This picture was taken, and recently cropped, by me. Taken from the Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band show in Worcester, Massachusetts, June 11, 2016

This picture was taken, and recently cropped, by me for the Ringo Starr In Conversation at Strands Bookstore - October 26, 2015

Happy 82nd Birthday to Ringo Starr! Peace and love, peace and love!

For the second day in a row, I am posting something about the Beatles. Yesterday, it was the anniversary of the very beginning of the band itself, when John first met Paul. Today is another important day, as well. Yes, today, July 7th, marks Ringo Starr's birthday. This year, the former drummer of what is likely the most legendary rock band ever turns 82 years old. The way that he looks and runs around on stage, he could actually pass for half his age, quite literally. 

There is one thing that I have really enjoyed about this particular date since around 2010. On that date, I was blessed enough to attend a Ringo Starr concert on the occasion of his 70th birthday. I got tickets months before, because I had a feeling there would be some special guests. Turns out, not only was that the case, but then some! The main special guest that everyone, myself included, hoped for, and eventually got, was, of course, Paul McCartney. When he came out, the place was completely energized, and there was so much shrill screaming, that you might be forgiven for thinking that it was 1964 again, and that instead of Radio City Music Hall, the event might instead have been the live broadcast of The Ed Sullivan Show. It was surreal!  

When asked publicly what he wanted as a birthday gift, Ringo responded by saying that at noon time on that day, he wanted everyone to give the peace sign with their fingers (making a "V"), and say, "Peace and love! Peace and love!" 

So, let me do it a bit early, and say it in print here: "Peace and love, Ringo! Peace and love!"

Oh, and a happy birthday to Ringo Starr, as well!

And here is the entire concert of over two hours, from start to finish!

The ageless Ringo Starr reflects on what keeps him going by Scott Mervis of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 13, 2022:

“I was inspired at age 13, and that has never left me, the dream and the joy,” Starr says.  

https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2022/06/13/ringo-starr-band-interview-ppg-paints-arena/stories/202206090136

 

 

This picture was taken, and recently cropped, by me. Taken from the Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band show in Worcester, Massachusetts, June 11, 2016

This picture was taken, and recently cropped, by me for the Ringo Starr In Conversation at Strands Bookstore - October 26, 2015