July 7 is an important day, but not just because it’s my birthday. July 7 is also Ringo Starr’s birthday. He turned 77, and I turned 25.
Every year for his birthday, Ringo organizes a “peace and love celebration.” The point of it is exactly what its name suggests: to promote peace, love and overall good vibrations. (Oops, I accidentally made a Beach Boys reference when we’re talking about one of the Beatles.) It’s both a live and a virtual event. Ringo makes a personal appearance in one city (usually Los Angeles) while simultaneously extending an invitation to the rest of the world to proclaim peace and love virtually at noon in their respective time zones.
This year, Ringo hosted his live celebration in front of the Capitol Records building in Hollywood, where his Hollywood Walk of Fame star is also located.
At 10:30, the press was led to a red carpet area behind the CR headquarters. On a platform behind the carpet stood a giant metal rendition of Ringo’s preferred hand gesture: the peace sign. While waiting for him and his entourage to arrive, people chatted, took pictures with the peace sign and furiously fanned themselves to keep from overheating. It was hot. Very hot. By 11, the temperature had broken 100 degrees.
The man of the hour came out around 11:15, along with other noteworthy figures: David Lynch, Joe Walsh from the Eagles and actor/musician Jenny Lewis, among others. Ringo looked absolutely jovial — as one should on one’s birthday — as he came out to greet the press. That warm smile never left his face.
I couldn’t think of anything clever to ask him; I also couldn’t get close enough to actually say anything to him. Honestly, I only wanted to wish him a happy birthday and then tell him that it was also my birthday and have him wish me a happy birthday in return.
The actual party began at noon, and what better way to kick off a celebration of peace and love than with a little music, particularly Ringo Starr’s music? Two groups performed; the first was fronted by Haitian musician Paul Beaubrun and South Sudanese-Canadian musician/activist, Emmanuel Jal. The second group featured Don Was on string bass, Van Dyke Parks on accordion, Michael Bearden on keyboard and indie songstress Jenny Lewis. You can watch snippets of these performances in the Facebook live video above.
While the musicians played, a crowd of excited, colorfully-dressed fans took it all in. Ringo himself looked on appreciatively from behind stage, as his friends played his music.
Joe Walsh, acting as emcee, took the stage in a snazzy purple suit to introduce Ringo and lead the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday.” There was also a cake!
There’s something unmistakably powerful about hundreds of people coming together to celebrate peace and love, both of which are much needed, considering our current political climate. With so much social injustice and political hostility, it’s easy to forget that peace and love actually exist. Ringo chose to promote peace and love, and I was happy to celebrate his birthday with him… and also celebrate my birthday, too.