Ringo Starr's 80th Birthday Bash Becomes Online Charity Concert

LOS ANGELES, CA — The annual tradition marking Ringo Starr's birthday is moving indoors and online with a celebrity-filled charity concert to be broadcast a week from Tuesday on YouTube that will also feature a performance by Paul McCartney.

"As everyone knows I love gathering with fans for peace and love on my birthday," said the drummer, who turns 80 on the day of the show. "But this year, I want everyone to be safe at home -- so I called up a few friends and we put this Big Birthday Show together so we could still celebrate my birthday with you all, with some great music for some great charities. I hope you will all join me!"

The concert, called "Ringo's Big Birthday Show," is scheduled to air on Ringo's YouTube channel at 5 p.m. July 7 and will include a mix of at- home performances and unearthed concert footage from McCartney, Sheryl Crow, Gary Clark Jr., Sheila E, Ben Harper and others.

The show will also feature the debut of a new, guest-laden version of Starr's 2017 song, "Give More Love," with Jackson Browne, Jeff Bridges, Elvis Costello and Willie Nelson, among others.

Starr said his virtual 80th birthday show will benefit four charities: Black Lives Matter Global Network, the David Lynch Foundation, MusiCares and WaterAid.

City News Service