Ringo Starr Delivers Heartfelt 85th Birthday Message, Urges Global Peace, Unity, and Love: “Let’s Come Together, Right Now – Peace!”..

 

Ringo Starr Delivers Heartfelt 85th Birthday Message, Urges Global Peace, Unity, and Love: “Let’s Come Together, Right Now – Peace!”

 

By Harmony West | July 7, 2025

 

Los Angeles, CA — On the evening of July 7, 2025, legendary drummer and former Beatle Ringo Starr took the global stage—not with a drum kit, but with a microphone and a message. Marking his 85th birthday, Starr livestreamed a speech from Los Angeles that quickly went viral for its sincerity, optimism, and rallying cry for peace in a world increasingly divided.

 

“Peace and Love” — A Message Decades in the Making

 

Opening with his trademark catchphrase—“Peace and love, peace and love”—Ringo Starr appeared radiant and energized, surrounded by close friends, family, and fellow musicians. Dressed in his signature black jacket, circular sunglasses, and wearing a peace-symbol pin, the octogenarian music icon stood behind a podium adorned with sunflowers and the word “Imagine” spelled out in bold white letters.

 

“It’s been 85 years,” Ringo began, his Liverpudlian accent still warm and unmistakable, “and I can’t believe I’m still here, talking to you all, asking for the same thing I’ve always asked for—peace and love. But it’s needed now more than ever.”

 

The virtual event, streamed live on YouTube and viewed by over 18 million people within 24 hours, featured not only his heartfelt address but also performances, tributes, and surprise guest appearances from stars such as Paul McCartney, Olivia Harrison, Dhani Harrison, Billie Eilish, Dave Grohl, and even a recorded message from King Charles III.

 

Reflecting on the Past, Focused on the Future

 

Throughout his 15-minute speech, Ringo reflected on the journey that brought him to this milestone. From his childhood in Liverpool, surviving illness, to becoming one of the most famous musicians on Earth as part of The Beatles, Starr’s message was deeply personal.

 

“I’ve seen the world change many times,” he said. “From the days when John, Paul, George, and I were playing the Cavern Club to the chaos and beauty of the ’60s, through wars, revolutions, space landings, pandemics, and digital dreams. And through it all, one thing has never changed—our need for peace.”

 

Ringo shared intimate anecdotes about his days with The Beatles, including a story about recording “All You Need Is Love” during the 1967 global broadcast of Our World.

 

“We believed in that message then, and I still believe in it now. Music can bring people together. So can kindness. So can love.”

 

He paused, holding back visible emotion.

 

“But sometimes, we need to do more than sing about it. We need to act.”

 

A Call for Global Unity

 

Starr’s speech wasn’t just a trip down memory lane. It carried urgency, especially in a year that has seen ongoing political polarization, armed conflict in multiple regions, environmental catastrophes, and rising mental health challenges across generations.

 

“We live in a time when the noise of division is louder than the music of unity,” he said. “But we can change that. We must. I’m asking all of you, wherever you are—young or old, left or right, rich or poor—to find common ground. It’s not hard to look someone in the eye and see their humanity.”

 

In a surprising turn, Starr also addressed world leaders directly.

 

“To every president, prime minister, monarch, and general: lay down your egos. Lay down your arms. Pick up your phones and call your enemies—not to threaten, but to listen.”

 

The phrase “lay down your egos” quickly began trending on social media as fans and commentators echoed his sentiment.

 

Reuniting with Paul McCartney—A Moment for the Ages

 

Following the speech, Ringo was joined onstage by none other than Sir Paul McCartney, who embraced his former bandmate to thunderous virtual applause. The two performed an acoustic rendition of “With a Little Help From My Friends,” visibly moved by the significance of the moment.

 

“You’ve always been the heartbeat, mate,” McCartney told Ringo. “And you’ve never stopped beating the drum for peace.”

 

The performance was followed by video tributes from global figures and fellow musicians. U2’s Bono called Ringo “a lighthouse in the fog of modern madness,” while Taylor Swift described him as “the original optimist.” President Joe Biden, in a pre-recorded message, praised Starr’s decades of advocacy: “Your rhythm has moved generations, Ringo—but your message has moved hearts.”

 

Celebrating 85 with Purpose

 

In addition to the speech and celebration, Ringo launched the “Come Together Fund,” a new philanthropic initiative aimed at supporting grassroots peace and reconciliation projects worldwide. Administered by the Ringo Starr Peace & Love Foundation, the fund has already raised $12 million within its first 24 hours through individual donations and matching contributions from major celebrities and corporations.

 

“This isn’t about me,” Ringo clarified. “It’s about what we can do together. Real peace starts in our communities. In our schools, in our homes, on our streets.”

 

The fund will support projects such as conflict resolution training, youth leadership initiatives, and community rebuilding in war-torn regions. Notably, some of the first grants will be directed toward rebuilding music programs in Ukraine and Gaza—regions still reeling from recent violence.

 

“I’m Not Done Yet”

 

Though celebrating a milestone birthday, Ringo made clear he has no plans to slow down. His All Starr Band will begin a new tour this fall, with proceeds from several dates going directly to the Come Together Fund. A new album—his 21st studio solo release—is also in the works, reportedly titled Timeless Light, featuring collaborations with artists from around the world.

 

“I don’t see age as a reason to stop,” he said. “If anything, it’s a reason to go harder. As long as I can lift a stick, I’ll play. As long as I can lift a mic, I’ll speak.”

 

The album, according to Starr, will mix upbeat rock with meditative ballads, all centered around “hope, healing, and harmony.”

 

A Global Moment

 

For many, Ringo’s birthday message became more than just another celebrity moment—it was a spiritual call to action. Social media was flooded with messages using the hashtag #PeaceWithRingo, with thousands sharing personal commitments to acts of kindness, community work, and even reconciliation with estranged family or friends.

 

In Berlin, a group of young musicians held a flash mob performing “Give Peace a Chance” in the middle of Alexanderplatz. In Kenya, a youth orchestra played a medley of Beatles songs at a refugee camp. In Tokyo, children at a primary school painted a giant mural titled Octopus’s Garden of Peace in Ringo’s honor.

 

“I never thought one man’s birthday speech would make me cry,” wrote journalist Aisha Farouk in The Guardian, “but Ringo Starr, with gentle defiance and ageless grace, reminded us what matters.”

 

An Enduring Legacy

 

Born Richard Starkey on July 7, 1940, in the Dingle neighborhood of Liverpool, Ringo Starr rose to fame in the early 1960s as the drummer for The Beatles. Often seen as the quiet Beatle, Ringo’s contributions to music, humor, and humanity have long been appreciated by fans and fellow artists alike.

 

Though often under-celebrated compared to Lennon and McCartney, Starr’s influence is undeniable. His drumming style—steady, inventive, and deceptively complex—reshaped modern music. His sunny demeanor and unwavering calls for peace and love became his defining legacy in his post-Beatles years.

 

“He’s the soul of The Beatles,” said Questlove during the birthday livestream. “Not just the beat, but the heart.”

 

As the event came to a close, Ringo stood before the global audience, flashing his iconic peace signs with both hands.

 

“Remember,” he said, “it’s never too late to choose love. It’s never too late to make peace. And it’s never too late to dance.”

 

Final Words: “Come Together” in 2025

 

In a world often overwhelmed by division and digital noise, Ringo Starr’s 85th birthday speech served as a rare moment of collective inspiration. With humility and unwavering spirit, he reminded us not only of his legacy but of our shared responsibility to each other.

 

In the hours after the broadcast, one quote, in particular, was etched into the hearts of millions: