‘Let’s Spread #peaceandlove,’ Says Ringo Starr Ahead Of 2021 Birthday Event
Ringo turns 81 on July 7 and has renewed his annual invitation for fans to think, say or post #peaceandlove at noon that day.
Ringo Starr has today (28) posted a message to his legions of fans worldwide about his upcoming #peaceandlove birthday initiative for 2021.
The beloved former Beatle turns 81 on July 7 and has renewed his annual invitation to take part in the coming together and think, say or post #peaceandlove at noon their local time on the day. Starr has spearheaded the initiative since 2008, when it began after “peace and love” was his answer to a reporter’s question about what he would like for his birthday.
He says in the taped message: “I’m inviting everyone who wants to join the peace and love celebration for my birthday at noon your time wherever you are, 7-7-21 – you can post it, you can say it, you can even think it – but it would be really cool if you go ‘Peace and Love’ at noon on my birthday – so let’s spread peace and love on my birthday – c’mon everybody!”
Gatherings have traditionally taken place in person, with Starr meeting fans in whichever city he is in, from 2008 when he did so on the streets outside the Hard Rock Café in Chicago. He helped to pass out cupcakes and joined the crowd for “Peace and Love” at noon.
The event has since expanded enormously, and in 2019 there were more than 30 Peace and Love events in cities all over the world, from Buenos Aires to Yerevan, Sydney to La Paz, Sao Paulo to Bogota, Prague to Helsinki, Asunción, to Lima, London to Liverpool, Chicago to New York City, and far beyond.
Last year, the pandemic prevented an in-person event, and the celebration moved online, with the star hosting Ringo’s Big Birthday Show for his 80th birthday. It featured unseen concert and unique performances by Starr, Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh, Ben Harper and Dave Grohl, Sheryl Crow, Gary Clark Jr, Peter Frampton, Sheila E, and many others. The show was broadcast around the world via AXS, YouTube and Ceek, and benefitted Black Lives Matter Global Network, the David Lynch Foundation, Musicares, and WaterAid.
The Mars Rover and the International Space Station were the first to deliver birthday wishes to Ringo. “From 260 miles above our home planet, NASA Astronauts wish Ringo Starr a happy 80th birthday!,” went the message. “Since our orbiting laboratory operates in Greenwich Mean Time, or GMT, it’s officially July 7 – a perfect date to send #PeaceAndLove to everyone across the universe!”
Details on 2021 Peace and Love regional gatherings to be hosted by fans next month, in person and via Zoom, can be found on Ringo’s Facebook page. Events are already confirmed in Argentina, Costa Rica, Columbia, El Salvador, Germany, Guatamala, Japan, Italy, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, UK, USA.
History Of Ringo’s Annual July 7 Peace & Love birthday celebrations:
2008 – Chicago, IL Hard Rock Cafe
2009 –Online campaign including in store salutes at Noon at all Hard Rock Cafes worldwide
2010 – New York City, NY: Hard Rock Cafe, Times Square
2011 – Hamburg, Germany: Hard Rock Cafe
2012 – Nashville, TN: Hard Rock Café
2013 – Online celebration including a video message from Ringo
2014 – Los Angeles, CA: Capitol Records Tower
2015 – Los Angeles, CA: Capitol Records Tower
2016 – Los Angeles, CA: Capitol Records Tower
2017 – Los Angeles, CA: Capitol Records Tower
2018 – Nice, France: Hard Rock Café
2019 – Los Angeles, CA: Capitol Records Tower
2020 – Los Angeles, CA: Virtual celebration, “Ringo’s Big Birthday Show”
Listen to the best of Ringo Starr on Apple Music and Spotify.
