Happy Birthday Ringo!

Yesterday (Wednesday July 7) was Ringo Starr's 70th Birthday. We can all only hope to look that good when we are 70!

He celebrated his big day in New York City at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, and at 12 noon he led the crowd in his "Peace and Love" salute, which has become his annual birthday tradition. At the private party inside the Hard Rock Cafe, Ringo celebrated with close friends and family, and insisted on cutting his own birthday cake (as is Liverpool tradition). 

After his party, he performed at Radio City Music Hall with his All Starr Band.  Paul McCartney showed up to sing "Birthday" to his former bandmate, and Ringo was presented with a cake the shape of a full-size drum kit.

Personal Storytime:

A couple of summers ago I had the amazing opportunity to meet Ringo in person.  I was working with film producer Ron Lovely at the time and we were beginning the research process for a documentary on Scotty Moore (Elvis' guitarist from 1954-‘58). 

Part of this research included putting out feelers for potential stars who were friends of Scotty's to take part in the film, and Ringo was at the top of the list.  (Scotty Moore produced Ringo’s 1970 album Beaucoups of Blues).

Ringo was performing in town (I was living in Boston at the time) with his All Starr Band, and Ron got permission to meet with the former Beatle before the show, and wanted me to come.  We arrived to the venue about 3 hours before showtime and were received by Ringo's attorney Bruce Grakal, and brought backstage.

Ringo was then escorted out, along with his gorgeous wife Barbara Bach and tour photographer the fantastic Rob Shanahan. 

Ron sprung to action, he knew from previous experience that we had only a few seconds of Ringo’s attention before we potentially lost his interest.

“Ringo, it’s so great to see you…we have a guitar signed by Scotty Moore that we’d like to give to you” (gist of what he said).

Ringo, not a fan of giving his autograph, only heard the word “sign” and took it to mean that he was being asked to sign something.  He sighed and said “OK let’s get this over with”

Upon opening the guitar case and seeing that we had actually come bearing gifts, (the guitar was signed “To Ringo- Peace and Love, Scotty”), Ringo’s eyes lit up in surprise and appreciation.  His mood took a 180 degree turn for the better and we had his undivided attention.

Ron and Ringo spent the next few minutes checking out and strumming the guitar, as well as the rest of the bounty Ron brought with him: old albums and photos from Scotty that Ringo hadn’t seen in years.  Ringo shared stories and laughed particularly while poring over the Beaucoups of Blues LP and the old photos inside the sleeve.

After they were finished, we actually got to snap some photos with Ringo in between the two of us!

At one point he put up his peace sign, Ron caught on and put up his, but I of course was oblivious, so Ringo goes to me, “Where’s your peace sign!?” Duh. Oh well.

Bruce took my camera and took a few rather blurry photos, I was a bit devastated but clung to them for dear life as my evidence it all really happened and wasn't a dream. 

Luckily everyone else, including Rob with his fancy camera, had also taken a few photos. He promised after the tour was done that he would send me his photos of the afternoon and he gave me his card. I didn’t want to hold my breath, since by the end of a tour like that he must have had hundreds of thousands of photos, but I did follow through and write to him.  He in turn was true to his word and sent me his perfectly clear pictures photodocumenting the experience.

I promised Rob I would not use them in any publication, only for personal use, so I'm not posting any here, sorry!

Meeting a Beatle is meeting music royalty, a once (if you're lucky) in a lifetime opportunity. I will never forget that afternoon and am glad to be able to share my story.

*~*~*

They say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time

I'm glad it's your birthday

Happy birthday to you.
-John Lennon and Paul McCartney