300 of Ringo’s friends and family celebrate at Hard Rock Hotel in Chicago

By Brian Frederick

CHICAGO, IL (Hollywood Today) 7/8/08 – - “Happy Birthday” sang the crowd to the world’s most famous former drummer. The Beatles star and wife Barbara Bach, flashed peace signs and recanted the 60s and 70s free spirit of love with white-iced cupcakes and dreams of a world living in harmony.

As the crowd waited until noon, the motto, “twelve o’clock, peace and love,” became the birthday credo for the once aspiring hairdresser to turn 68.

Chicago’s inhabitants braved pushy crowds, heat, and a little drizzle on South Water Street to see Starr. Before Starr arrived in contrast to the theme of “Peace and Love”, the not so peace and loving paparazzi pushed and shoved anyone who got in their way to get photographs of the star, woman and children were no exception. Some of Ringo’s most loyal fans who waited hours to see him could not because of the paparazzi frenzy. Those with press credentials could get up close to Ringo as he arrived.

Starr is in Chicago to promote his latest album “Liverpool 8” with his All Starr Band’s tour. Starr and his band will perform this Sunday.

Sadly on Ringo’s birthday, he received news that England’s conservations decided to destroy his Dingle, Liverpool birthday because he does not have the clout needed to preserve his Beatle’s past. One would have to wonder if John Lennon and Paul McCartney would have that same problem. Does Pete Best still haunt Ringo?

“What a birthday gift! If you could pan around, you could see Chicago is full of peace and lovers,” said Starr unaware of paparazzi stepping all over his fans.

The Hard Rock marketing department went into full swing a month ago when event organizers learned of Ringo’s birthday coinciding with his Chicago date. Ringo was quoted as saying in a television interview that he would, “love it if everyone in the world stopped what they were doing at noon on July 7 to flash a peace sign”, according spokesperson Kathleen Henson. The Hard Rock hotel bought the crowd cupcakes and made a special cake for Ringo with a Hard Rock logo on it – naturally.

Similar events were planned in New York, London, and Los Angeles.