It was July 7, 2010, that Ringo Starr celebrated his 70th birthday.
And Ringo had big plans. He was doing a "peace and love" media event at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, carrying on a tradition that started in 2008 when he told an interviewer he wanted more "peace and love" in the world for his birthday. He and the All-Starr Band would also be playing Radio City Music Hall later that night for what would certainly be a festive birthday show.
Fans around the world were celebrating, too. There were gatherings at Ringo’s star on the Walk of Fame at Capitol Records in Los Angeles, Abbey Road in London, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland and with "Love" cast members at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas.
But the day would turn out to more festive than even he thought it would. The first clue came when we got first word from Horror Happenings Examiner Charles Rosenay that Paul McCartney HAD been sighted at Radio City.
You could almost hear the collective breaths being held by fans all around the world. What was he doing there? More importantly, WOULD HE PERFORM?
- See pictures and video from the evening at left.
As Paul arrived, he gave out a few autographs. And in a great story we reported thanks to Tom Frangione and Beatle Brunch, McCartney personally asked Nikki Dennet and another fan named Rudy do you want to keep a secret and not to say anything about him being there?
Paul took a seat in the audience where Ringo wouldn't see him. As we found out and reported in two stories later here and here, Ringo had no idea what was about to happen.
"Well, it was kept from everybody, actually," Ringo All-Starr Band member Gary Wright told us in an interview we did with him. "I found out at soundcheck the day of the show. I knew there were going to be people coming up onstage for 'With a Little Help from My Friends.' I didn't know exactly who.
"And then after we finished 'A Little Help,' a couple of the musicians stayed onstage -- Rick Derringer, Edgar (Winter) and our drummer, Gregg Bisonnette in the wings.Then Joe Walsh goes onstage, and I thought, 'Wow!, that's coming up.' I knew Paul was coming up (at that point), but Ringo didn't know. He just thought (Joe Walsh) was going to sing him 'Happy Birthday' or something. And then when Paul walked onstage, Ringo's jaw dropped. And then when they went into 'Birthday,' he just sprinted right up to his drum set and started to play along.
"And the crowd went absolutely berserk. Never seen anything like that. It was history, you know. Unbelievable. It sounded great. Paul sang great. And it was really beautiful. After they finished, they went up to each other and hugged. And there were tears. It was a beautiful moment."
A year later on Ringo's 71st birthday, it's a moment that even those who only read about it will never forget.
Another video: This one isn't as good quality as the one at the left, but it captures much more of the intense screams of the crowds.
Here is a recap of our coverage of Ringo's 70th birthday. Much of it was exclusive to our page:
- Interview: Gary Wright to premiere song co-written with George Harrison at Fest for Beatles Fans
- Behind the music: McCartney birthday surprise was a tearful moment for ex-Beatle Ringo Starr
- Do you want to know a secret? Paul McCartney entrusts Beatle Bruncher with keeping Ringo's surprise
- Ringo Starr's birthday, report 5: McCartney watched part of the show with fans (more pics, videos)
- Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr celebrate Ringo's 70th birthday - report 4 (pics. video, details!!!)
- Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr perform 'Birthday' for Ringo's 70th birthday (VIDEO!!!!)
- Paul McCartney helps Ringo Starr celebrate his 70th birthday at Radio City - report #3
- Paul McCartney helps celebrate Ringo Starr's birthday at Radio City Music Hall -- first details
- UPDATE: Paul McCartney spotted in New York City for Ringo Starr's concert tonight
- Ringo Starr news: NYC party pics; Lady Gaga; vintage interviews; Gary Wright webchat (slideshow)
- A nice 70th birthday present for Ringo Starr -- he's trending on Twitter
- Ringo Starr tells of 'peace and love' birthday wish in video
- More ways you can say 'peace and love' for Ringo Starr's 70th birthday Wednesday
- An exclusive video clip from 'Live From the Artist's Den with Ringo Starr' (and when to watch it)
- Ringo Starr's 70th birthday to be celebrated with a little help from friends around the world
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Steve Marinucci is the author of the Beatles Examiner, Paul McCartney Examiner, Vintage Rock 'n' Roll Examiner and TV on DVD Examiner columns on Examiner.com.
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