Ringo Starr's Big Birthday Show: Paul McCartney, Sheryl Crow, Dave Grohl and more make it a night to remember
Sir Richard Starkey, better known as Ringo Starr of the Beatles fame celebrated his birthday on July 7. As previously promised by the new octogenarian himself, there was a special YouTube celebration show held in his honor, featuring a star-studded lineup of well-wishers and musical performances, with all proceeds from the show going to four different charity foundations. Some of the big names who appeared the stay-at-home event included stars like the former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, Sheryl Crow, Joe Walsh, Ben Harper, Dave Grohl, Gary Clark Jr, Sheila E, Olivia Harrison, Mick Fleetwood, David Lynch, Ron Howard and many more. The evening also featured a world premiere of the music video for 'Give More Love', along with some celebrity guests. There was even a special music performance by Ringo himself, with all proceeds from donations made during the show going to four different charities, namely the Black Lives Matter Global Network, The David Lynch Foundation, MusiCares & WaterAid through Ringo Starr and Barbara Starkey's Lotus Foundation.
The evening kicked off with the man of the hour himself, Ringo sitting at his drumkit in Los Angeles, wearing a face mask and a dapper white jacket. He wished all the viewers peace and love before whipping off the face mask and introducing the festivities for the evening. "I'm celebrating with my friends in a new way this year," Starr declared, alluding to the ongoing coronavirus social distancing protocols, before showing us footage from his birthday celebrations last year in 2019 at Capitol Records. He then introduced the star performers for the evening, as well as the various charities who would benefit from donations made via The Lotus Foundation. He encouraged viewers to generously contribute by going to ringostarr.com or texting "RINGO" to 707070 (US only) and do their part in making the world a better place.
The first musical performance of the night featured a recording of Ringo and his band performing a rousing rendition of his 1971 song 'It Don't Come Easy'. Next up was his wife Barbara Starkey, who sang Happy Birthday to her husband flanked by their two adorable pet dogs. Then Joe and Marjorie Walsh also wished the iconic drummer well, before Sheila E performed a rendition of the Beatles hit 'Come Together', featuring Ringo on drums. The newly-minted 80-year-old then talked about the work that the David Lynch Foundation was doing in cities across the world, before encouraging us to donate at healthehealersnow.org.
David Lynch, Bettye Lavette, and Sir Bob Geldof then wished Ringo on his birthday, after which Crow performed a special version of the Beatles song 'All You Need Is Love', featuring multiple instruments played by Crow herself. Next up was a promo for the essential WaterAid foundation, before Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh dropped by to spend some face time with Ringo in person, as an introduction to his stellar performance of the song 'Boys'. Next up was a retrospective compilation of Ringo over the years, before Henry Diltz, Tatia Jayne Starkey, Alex Orbison and Roy Orbinson Jr (and their families) wished Ringo a happy birthday, among others. A powerful Black Lives Matter segment followed next, after which Dave Grohl and Ben Harper performed a special number called 'Down and Out'. Edgar Winter also wished the Beatle well on his 80th birthday, before we were treated to a special premiere of the music video for 'Give More Love'.
An impactful MusicCares segment was up next, before Verdine White and Peter Frampton also wished Ringo well. Gary Clark Jr. then lit up our ears with a searing performance of 'Come Together', which Ringo labeled "exceptional." The director Ron Howard then joined the party to pay his regards, before Olivia Harrison, Mick Fleetwood and Lee Starkey's family all wished the drummer a happy birthday as well. Next up a lovely rendition of Ringo performing 'With A Little Help From My Friends' along with his All-Starr band. To close out the hour of festivities, we were treated to an epic recording of McCartney and Ringo in concert, performing the Beatles hit 'Helter Skelter'. All the celebrity guests from the previous segments then joined in for a stirring montage of singing Happy Birthday, before Walsh presented Ringo with his own birthday cake. Ringo then thanked everyone who had tuned in and wished all peace and love once again. It was certainly a special evening to remember fondly, not just for its novelty and the caliber of the star guests, but for its high-quality musical performances.