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
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
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).
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.”
