There is a quiet hum in the air. Moments later, it's clear why.
Ringo Starr sweeps in, and it
feels like a cool breeze has washed over the room despite the sweltering
100-degree Southern summer heat outside.
His apparel is basic but he
exudes "rock star" -- strolling in wearing a pinstriped blazer, a T-shirt, dark
jeans and sneakers.
Two silver pendants adorn his
neck: The longer of the two is a signature peace sign; the other, fashioned from
a 45 LP adapter that was immediately given to him when he remarked to its former
owner how much he liked it.
Such is Starr's charm.
Despite being accompanied by no
fewer than 15 people, he is disarmingly self-deprecating and modest.
Starr, one of two living members
of the Beatles and winner of nine Grammy Awards, turned 72 on Saturday. He spent
his birthday with fans and fellow musicians at the Hard Rock Cafe in
Nashville.
As he always does on his
birthday, he celebrates a moment of peace and love at the stroke of noon, and
encouraged everyone else to do the same.
"Wherever you are -- on a bus,
in the office, in the studio, hanging out ... whatever you're doing, at noon,
just go, 'Peace and love.' That's all I ask for my birthday. Peace and
love."
A vegetarian, he attributes his
trim physique to Pilates and a sensible diet.
"I work out quite a lot, and you
know, broccoli is my main course, stuff like that. So, you know, that's how I do
it. Just keep yourself fit," he says. "So as long as you do something physical,
you know, keep moving."
Keep moving he does -- weaving
through the crowd of well-wishers, family and friends with an easy
affability.
Not surprisingly, security is
tight. He nonetheless radiates warmth, shaking hands cordially with strangers
and exchanging affectionate hugs with friends.
And it's quite a group of
friends he has. Fellow members of his ever-rotating All-Starr band are there in
full force: Toto's Steve Lukather with his signature goatee; music producer
extraordinaire Todd Rundgren and his instantly recognizable white-and-black
mane; a young-looking Richard Page from Mr. Mister; Santana's Gregg Rolie
sporting aviators.
Country star Vince Gill, Ed
Roland from Atlanta-based Collective Soul, Jeff Russo of Tonic, and Roy Orbison
Jr. are also on hand to pay tribute to the British icon.
The Eagles' legendary Joe Walsh
pops his head in during the interview, and jokingly says he'll interrupt and
take a seat on Starr's lap.
Starr pretends to be aggrieved.
"I have to let him in. He's the brother-in-law. It's a family thing!"
He's referring to his wife of 31
years, Barbara Bach, whose sister Walsh wed three years ago.
Outside the Hard Rock, hundreds
are thronging for the chance to get up close and personal with their idol.
Jamie Donaldson traveled from
California with her husband and two kids for this moment. "I just can't believe
I'm here," she said. "This has just been my dream for so long to see a living
Beatle in person, and Ringo is just the best!"
She admits it's almost
unbearably hot outside, but, "It's worth it!"
One woman holds a sign that
reads, "Ringo, sign my son!" Another holds a sign that says, "You hugged me in
1964, please do it again".
The crowd breaks into an excited
chatter when Starr's inner circle lines up on the stage. When the man himself
emerges from the restaurant, the screams and shouts crescendo.
Starr is about to begin the
countdown to shout "peace and love" at noon when out of nowhere a loud,
monotonous tone begins to blare.
Undeterred, Starr continues on,
and as if listening to the intended message, the tone silences just in time as
the count reaches "one."
"Peace and love!" everyone
shouts in unison.
To the delight of the crowd,
Starr's friends and family, partly led by saxophonist Mark Rivera, begin to sing
a Beatles anthem.
"All we are saying, is give
peace a chance." Starr sings the last line loudly into the microphone, waving
both hands in the signature "peace" sign high in the air.
The crowd watching is hugging,
laughing and crying.
Happy 72nd birthday, Ringo
Starr.
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