Ringo and his All Starr Band played at Radio City Music Hall last night and the concert was super, the band was hot, background vocals outstanding. It was virtually the same as any other night on his 2010 Tour. BUT IT WASN’T THE SAME AT ALL. This was Ringo’s 70th birthday and the sold out show was filled with luminaries and celebs in the Beatles world. The first hint at something special happening came during Photograph, when our friend Mark Rivera (who is listed in the program as the Musical Director) came out with his Sax and he and Edgar Winter shared the solo in the song. It was the start of unforgettable moments. The finale of With A Little Help From My Friends/ Give Peace a Chance saw dozens of musicians join Ringo in stage as backup singers. We cannot give you a full list of who was up there but Yoko, Peter Asher, Jeff Lynne, Joe Walsh, Little Steven, Nils Lofgren, Jim Keltner, Max Weinberg, Greg Lake, Gary Brooker, Richard Marx, Billy Squier, Gary Burr, Colin Hay, Keith Allison were singing the extended finale. Then a huge cake was wheeled out in the shape of Ringo’s drum set and the entire audience sang Happy Birthday along with some of his grandchildren who came on stage with the cake. He said goodnight and left the stage, but I noticed the tech guys moving some gear on stage and then it appeared, under a dim light – it was THAT HOFNER BASS. At that moment the fans knew what was happening. It was a total surprise for Ringo, as the All Starrs came back on stage and then PAUL jogged out to center stage and ripped into Birthday. I can’t remember hearing such a loud ovation, more like a roar when Paul appeared. Ringo ran on stage and headed for his Drums. It was an unforgettable version with Paul turning around a number of times to glance at his former band mate. After the song, Ringo bopped over to Paul and they gave each other a warm and long embrace. They each said I Love You and there wasn’t a dry eye around. We will blog the full list when we can all figure it out. Olivia was also spotted in the audience but did not join in the finale.
To the Greatest – Peace and Love Ringo!
Paul Plays Birthday for Ringo
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Awesome show!
The cake was organice carrot cake (Ringo’s favorite) and made by a small boutique bakery in NYC called Ruthy’s located in the Chelsea Market. Apparently they do a bunch of celebrity cakes. I have a picture taken from side stage at the show last night. It was amazing!!
I’m still walking on air this morning. My brother always plays and sings “Birthday” at family birthday parties, and to hear it sung live on stage by Paul was a moment I will never forget.
WHAT A NIGHT!
We were lucky enough to be there to experience true BEATLEMANIA!!!
This would fulfill my lifelong dream…..all I want to do is see and hear Sir Paul live. What a moment this had to be for everyone. Lucky audience, wonderful birthday for Ringo. Happy Birthday, young man!!
I would have LOVED to have been there to witness that surprise. Happy Birthday Ringo!
Happy Birtday Ringo! What a great time!
This was a “burning bush” moment!!! They both look great,and at 70 Ringo hits as hard on those toms as he ever did…and Paul!!,he’s 68 I believe,and his voice is as clear and HIGH as when he was on ED SULLIVAN..I’m so grateful I was there growing up with every move the Beatles made,seeing it all unfold before my ears and eyes….Thank you,Lord!!!!
How awesome that must have been! I’m still crying! Wish I could have been there.
Aw, I want Paul to sing to me on MY 70th birthday! Wish I were there. Have seen Paul 4 times in concert, and he is an amazing performer!
Absolutely Fab-gear!!! Paul and Ringo
look great and played great too! totally
amazing performance and what a great
surprise for fans!
OMG, I STILL CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT I SAW LAST NIGHT!! MY LIFELONG DREAM COME TRUE, MINUS 2 OF COURSE, BUT STILL TOTALLY MINDBLOWING! IT WAS LIKE BEING AT SHEA! THE CROWD COULDN’T SCREAM LOUD ENOUGH. THANK YOU PAUL AND RINGO FOR GIVING ME A NIGHT I WILL NEVER EVER FORGET.
What an ultimate moment. Everybody loves Ringo : )
Last night was a dream come true, to see Paul and Ringo together again on stage. I saw the Beatles in Forest Hills Tennis Stadium in 1964 and it was like reliving the moment. Radio City broke out in Beatlemania and my daughter experienced what it was like back in the day. Happy Birthday Ringo all though we’re the ones who got the gift.
That is so awesome to see. I am so glad that the two of them were on the same stage together. For Paul to sing Happy Birthday to Ringo is such a special thing indeed. Wish I could have been there to see it first hand……
How fortunate for those of you that were there… unbelievable. Though I’ve seen both Paul and Ringo twice, this clip is as precious as those memories are of them in concert. I can’t stop the tears! Peace & Love to you both, and Happy B’day Ringo!!
Chuck Paul you took the words right out of my mouth !! I have “been” with them from pretty much the beginning, 46 years.I have watched this video 4 times all ready today and the tears flow each time.And thankyou to the person who took this video and shared it with all of us. God Bless !! And Peace and Love !!
Did you see Ringo run out and jump up on the drums? Beatles don’t age. Awesome!
Happy Birthday, Ringo, catch up with you later this summer!
(and nice cameo, Macca…see you next week!).
Saw Paul in Atlanta last summer, going to see Ringo 7/17 here in St Augustine. I kind of had a feeling Paul would pop up somewhere along the line and what a perfect moment to do so. Congrats to those who got to experience this live and thanks for posting the video for the rest of us! Still crying – watched it 3x already!!!! Happy Birthday RINGO!!! Paul rocks! Peace and love forever.
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Simply as in 1964 magical. We are very lucky to have them and the memories with us. LA LA HOW THE LIFE GOES ON.
Happy Birthday Ringo! You don’t look a day over 50. Having Paul sing you “Birthday” is the best present anybody can ask for! C’mon you two, COME TOGETHER RIGHT NOW! before it’s too late.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RINGO! What a historical event. I wish I could of been there along with everyone else that wasn’t. History in the making. Ringo looks so good for the big 70. I hope they are both aroung for along time. Birthday is one of my favorite Beatle songs and what I could hear,it sounded great. It sounded like Beatlemania all over again.
At noon I was at the Hard Rock with Ringo and family/friends! It was great!
At 3:30 I was waiting by the stage door of Radio City and who pops out, Paul! He signed for a few of us and got into his SUV and rolled down the window and told us NOT to tell anyone he was there because Ringo DID NOT know he was going to preform. And from the looks of it Ringo looked surprised. What a GREAT show!
Thank You for the memories!!!
I was there and it was spectacular. Ringo is the best and Paul is so wonderful that both together just pulls at you. I LOVE them sooooo much. I saw the George Harrison Tribute Concert in London and that was amazing but known. Paul’s surprise for Ringo was just thrilling. GOD BLESS THE BEATLES.
Two Words – “It’s Paul”
Absolutely FAB-tastic. What a great Birthday surprise for all time. This might end up being seen by even more than who watched Ed Sullivan so many years ago! Such love is still easily seen. Beatle Brothers forever.
I was there with my sister and I kept telling her that Paul was coming and he was going to sing “Birthday” to Ringo. I was so right! It was amazing. We are women in our 50’s and we were screaming and jumping up and down like teenagers. My throat is still sore! It was my 8th time seeing Paul. But this was the first time I saw two Beatles together. AMAZING!!! Happy Birthday Ringo!
What a thrill!!! I wish I could have been there to experience the moment!! I’ve cried and cried watching this video!! Happy Birthday Ringo and much love to Paul for making this a truly special event!!
Wow..wow wow wow wow wow wow! I don’t know what else to say..WOW!
I am SOO glad that Paul and Ringo are SO CLOSE.. Brothers..
You had your favorite from among John, Paul, George and Ringo. Concert Bass Drums
WE LOVE YOU RINGO!! Happy birthday. Wow, 70 yrs old! Looking good & still going strong. I hope it’s the best Bday eva!!
way friggin cool…
Fabulous, just fabulous. Makes me cry, sad and happy at the same time.
¡Simplemente BEATLES grandiosos! Es increíble que esta edad aún nos sigan dando tanto a sus fans. Bien por ellos y que Dios los guarde muchísimo tiempo en esas condiciones de vitalidad y alegría. MIL FELICIDADES A RINGO.
I was finally present for a legendary moment. My throat is still sore from yelling so loud. The show was great, just as a Ringo show… then all his buddies… then THE HOFNER… and then… Mr. McCartney. UN-FREAKIN-BELIEVABLE!!
I brought my 9 year old nephew – who has become quite the Beatlemaniac – to his first concert. Where does he go from here? He doesn’t even realize he just witnessed history. We did the Beatle tour before the show – the Dakota, Strawberry Fields and finished the day with a couple of Beatles.
Saw Ringo in concert in 2008 (he was AWESOME) but Paul’s upcoming show in Nashville is sold out. Ringo has always been my favorite, but seeing Paul would be great too and seeing them together must have been fab. “Happy Birthday Ringo!” I have always adored you and always will. Seeing you in person was a dream come true. Thanks for all the wondeful music. Peace and Love.
A million thanks to the person sharing this video with us. Luckily I got see all 4 Beatles in Chicago. From the nosebleed of course, but just to be in the same building. This was fantastic. Please, please come together and give us another album for old times sake. Happy Birthday Ringo and Paul (June 18)! And like a previous commentor stated, “Thanks for the gift”
Wow, just watching the video was awesome! Can’t wait til this sat to see Paul at AT&T Park in SF! It’ll be our 4th time and he puts on a phenomenal show. I can’t wait! and only 46 yrs since I’ve seen them at the Cowpalace in SF!
Happy Birthday Ringo! what a night!
Happy Birthday Ringo! You turned me into a drummer in ’64 & I’ve been playing ever since. I hope I’m still playing at 70. You guys are the greatest! God bless you!
Saw all four ,twice, when they did their shows in Washington, D.C. I had always hoped they’d all get back together one day. This reunion sure brought back a lot of memories! Both, class acts! Long live The Beatles! Yay, yay, yay!
FAB INDEED!!!!
The only thing better than this was seeing all four of them together on August 19, 1966 in Memphis, Tennessee. How cool this happened and how cool of Paul to do it.
Paul & I share the same birthday, several years apart, so on my birthday I usually get serenated with this song. Seeing it acutally performed by 2 of the originals, I was to young to see them in person, brought tears to my eyes for their missing brothers. God Bless you Paul & Ringo.
I was there and it was AWESOME !!!
I’m 29. I’ve been a Beatles fan since I was 4. “Chains” was the first song I remember haha… I had an old tape I played until it broke and my parents said I would listen to and sing “Chains” aaallll day and night !!! I have a tattoo of John’s famous self portrait sketch. You know the one !! Some call it the “Imagine” sketch. I don’t know why I am sharing all this hahaha… Oh well. I just wanted to spread the Beatles love !! FAB = Freakin’ Awesome Beatles 🙂
Happy Birthday, Mr. Starkey !!!
By the way, I LOVE “The Fest” site. I’m on here all the time. Great merchandise and great information !! THANK YOU for the up keep of the site !!!
Watching that video made me realize two things:
1.70 is as old as you let it be, and
2.Real friendship is forever.
It was a privilege to watch this.
I could not have asked for anything more! My parents were able to attend as my mother survived brain surgery! She had not much hair, but let me tell you, Ringo and Paul, and a Yoko appearance made for an incredible event, with or without hair! My ten year old son, can now proudly say-he has seen the ‘gods’ in concert!! We were thrilled-Paul and Ringo hugging was just magical and the crowd was amazing too! Coincidentally, my son is attending camp at Long Island Drum School and will be playing ‘Birthday’ for his solo with the band for Ringo! We had no idea that we would see Ringo and Paul play it live first! OMG! What a night!! Great night for Beatle Magic!!
So close, yet so far away!!!(just hrs away from NYC). I cry happy tears as I read this. What an awesome Day it must have been for Ringo!!!! Peace & Love ALWAYS , Ringo, your best fan ever, floppy P.S. drove to Bethel, so all was not lost for me this tour!!!!