Ringo Spreads Peace & Love, Supports Black Lives Matter For Star-Studded 80th Birthday YouTube Special

AP Photo /Chris Pizzello – Ringo Starr
poses in Beverly Hills on his 80th birthday, July 7.

Ringo Starr took to YouTube to celebrate his 80th birthday in style with his yearly “Peace & Love Day” celebration this year taking place as a livestream featuring performances and appearances from artists such as Ben Harper & Dave Grohl, Joe Walsh, Sheryl Crow, and others Tuesday night.

Drawing a live audience of more than 150,000 during the stream and more than 700,000 views, Ringo used the platform to further charitable causes, with the show benefiting Black Lives Matter, The David Lynch Foundation, MusiCares & WaterAid through Ringo’s Lotus Foundation.

Performances included a distanced drum duet with Sheila E, a multi-tracked rendition of Sheryl Crow performing “All You Need Is Love” complete with ukelele, and Ben Harper & Dave Grohl doing the somewhat overlooked 1973 Ringo track “Down & Out.”

The special also featured recorded performances from Ringo’s All Starr Band as well as when he famously joined Paul McCartney on stage to play the classic White Album deep cut “Helter Skelter” last year. Other fun moments included shout outs from notable friends including director Ron Howard, who joked that Ringo “doesn’t look a day older than 79” before acknowledging that the former Beatle is in far better shape than most people.

The show featured more somber moments as well, including video montages supporting the David Lynch Foundation’s efforts toward healthcare workers on the front line, Joe Walsh lending support for MusiCares, and Ringo himself saying “now is the time to stand up for injustices” in support of Black Lives Matter, as well as mentioning his own love and gratitude for Black artists including Little Richard and Ray Charles.

The show was executive produced by noted publicist and music executive Elizabeth Freund, who recently started the Mad Bunny Records venture with Ben Harper.