It’s hard to believe that the Beatles are old enough to be grandparents- but drummer Ringo Starr just turned 70 years old. Ringo celebrated with a “Peace and Love” themed party attended by fans, family and friends, and closed out the evening with an all-star show at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall that thrilled concert goers. An unannounced appearance by Paul McCartney sent the crowd into fits, and Yoko Ono also made an appearance.

The cake had been served, the candles had been blown out, and Ringo Starr had all but told the sold-out crowd at NYC’s Radio City Music Hall to go home, but the most exciting part of his 70th birthday show last night was still to come. That was the exact moment, right around 10 p.m., that none other than Paul McCartney bounded on stage in his skinny tie and fitted suit. The art-deco hall filled with 1964-style squeals as Sir Paul tore through the Beatles’ “Birthday” with the wild-eyed drive of someone decades younger.

McCartney’s unannounced appearance was the perfect end to an evening of festive collaboration. Ringo calls his touring act the All-Starr Band for a reason: They’re all handpicked veterans of bands from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. In between his solo hits (“Photograph,” “It Don’t Come Easy”) and Beatles classics (“Yellow Submarine,” “Act Naturally,” “Boys”), he gave each of his bandmates ample time to demonstrate their own claims to fame. Keyboardist/saxophonist Edgar Winter led electrifying renditions of “Frankenstein” and “Free Ride.” Guitarist Rick Derringer of the McCoys rocked “Hang On Sloopy.” The Romantics’ Wally Palmar told us “What I Like About You.” Mr. Mister’s Richard Page spread his “Broken Wings.” Gary Wright crooned “Dreamweaver,” which he said was inspired by a book on Eastern philosophy that George Harrison once gave him. (“George Harrison never gave me no damn book,” cracked Ringo.)

I’m not sure I’d sit through an entire concert by any of those guys’ original groups, but seeing them run through their hits with Ringo was fun — a classic-rock radio revue with one of history’s greatest beat-keepers behind the kit. Starr himself was as energetic as any 70-year-old I’ve ever encountered, grooving gamely at front stage or drumming with that familiar head-bobbing enthusiasm.

Halfway through a Mr. Mister song, my mother and I noticed the E Street Band’s Stevie Van Zandt and Nils Lofgren and ELO’s Jeff Lynne simultaneously leaving their seats a few rows ahead of us. For a moment I thought they must not be big “Broken Wings” fans, but of course they were only heading backstage. A few numbers later, Starr said he wanted to play a tune that he was considering cutting from his set list due to lukewarm crowd reactions. The song was “With A Little Help from My Friends.” Oh, Ringo, you joker! This was the cue for a cavalcade of celebs to join him. Seeing Starr giddily jam with Van Zandt, Lofgren, Lynne, Yoko Ono, Joe Walsh, and quite a few others is not a sight I’ll soon forget.

My mother and I had been hoping all along that McCartney might pop up. He was conveniently in between tour dates in London and San Francisco this week, and 70 is a big birthday. But “With A Little Help” transitioned into a sweet singalong of John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance,” followed by a spontaneous crowd rendition of “Happy Birthday” and the aforementioned cake and candles, and Macca was nowhere to be seen. Oh well. Who could complain after all those other guests? And then he turned up after all. His “Birthday,” with Walsh on wicked lead guitar, was the best possible way to end that show. Afterward, teary hugs were exchanged between McCartney, Starr, and Ono. McCartney softly repeated the words “Happy birthday to you” into the microphone. The appreciative surprise on his old friend’s face looked altogether genuine.

And so, for the second time in as many years, the two surviving Beatles shared a concert stage. (The same stage, as it happens.) My mom, who never got to see them when she was a teenaged fan in the ’60s, was pretty psyched to be there. So was I. On our way out from the venue, someone was raving about “history in the making.”

[From Entertainment Weekly]

Oh, man, do I wish I could have been there! I am kind of in denial about how old Paul and Ringo are. I would like to think they will live forever, wouldn’t you? At any rate, Ringo looks damn good for 70 years old. Despite the substance abuse problems he had earlier in his life, he looks like he’s taking very good care of himself these days. Happy Birthday, Ringo!

Ringo Starr let the world know via video message that he wouldn’t be accepting fanmail after October 20th, and that he would not be autographing anything anymore. The declaration was not met as well other places as it was here, so Starr’s publicist has released a statement explaining the reasons behind the decision.

The statement explained, in part, that, “This was in direct response to an inordinate amount of items which have recently appeared for sale on e-bay, and to those that repeatedly send cards and items to be signed. (The) message was not aimed at ‘real fans’ and after over 45 years of signing we know they will understand. Ringo has always signed items and is in fact the only Beatle to have been doing so.”

The message went on to say, “Ringo also feels strongly that it is a waste of paper and we all should be mindful of our carbon footprint. At the end of the day Ringo wanted to make a message that was clear and to the point and is confident his real fans understand that.

[From VirginRadio999]

Judging from the responses to the original story, I would say that it’s true that his real fans understand that. I’m a fan of The Beatles, but not as much Ringo alone, and I didn’t understand it. My initial reaction was that it didn’t feel very appreciative of the people who put him where he is in life. There were alot of people who did see it the same way I did, but after reading the responses supporting Starr and his decision, I came to respect the views of those who are true fans. I learned something about being a fan that day.

To that end, I’m fully supporting his request that his explanation get as much press as his original request.

Starr added a personal message to the press releases saying, “How amazed am I to the reaction to my video update. I hope this statement gets as much. Please read this in a mellow way. Peace and love, Ringo.”

Ringo hasn’t forgotten his fans. On his website he’s asking fans to help him choose the best photograph taken by an audience member during his last tour. The photographer who’s picture is chosen will win a Ringo Starr drumhead. The deadline for the contest is October 30th, ten days after his cut-off date for fanmail.

Ringo Starr is shown at the Grammy Awards on 2/10/08, Credit: PRPhotos

If you’ve ever held a secret desire to write a letter to Ringo Starr telling him how much you admire him and hope he sends you a signed 8×10″ glossy to show his appreciation for you time, you have less than a week to get it done. Ringo has issued a statement saying he will not be accepting any more fan mail after October 20th.

Ringo Starr has told fans not to send him any more letters because he has “too much to do.”

The former Beatle has warned admirers he will throw away anything sent to him after next Monday (20.10.08).

He said in a video clip on his website: “This is a serious message to everyone watching my update. Peace and love. Peace and love.

“I want to tell you after the 20th of October please do not send fan mail to any address you have. Nothing will be signed after the 20th of October.

“If that is the date on the envelope, it’s going to be tossed. I’m warning you with peace and love. I have too much to do. So no more fan mail. Thank you, thank you. And no objects to be signed. Nothing. Anyway, peace and love, peace and love.”

[From FemaleFirst]

Stunned. He has too much to do? None of the things he’s too busy doing now even be possible if it wasn’t for his fame, made possible by his fans. Besides just being stupid as a recording artist still at the mercy of his record sales, it was just an arrogant, douchey thing to say out loud. I mean, for crying out loud, Ringo, lie to your fans like every other celebrity does and have someone else open your mail for you.

There’s curmudgeon and there’s jackass, and Ringo Starr blew right past curmudgeon and is leading the jackass line. Earlier this year Starr alienated the city of Liverpool by appearing disgusted at the thought of moving back to his hometown and birthplace of The Beatles. Certain citizens of the city showed their displeasure.

A foliage sculpture of Beatle Ringo Starr in the band’s home city has been beheaded by vandals.

The topiary feature, which took 18 months to cultivate into the fab four, was unveiled at the city south Parkways Transport Exchange last month.

Starr’s head was chopped off, but the rest of the Beatles were untouched.

The 67-year-old outraged some Liverpool residents when, after opening the European Capital of Culture events, he said he missed nothing about the city.

[From BBC News]

I’m betting there aren’t a whole lot of people left who will miss anything about Ringo Starr.

Note by Celebitchy: Remember that episode of the Simpsons when Ringo Starr sent Marge a thank you letter for the portrait she had made of him over 30 years prior? That’s all I could think of when I read this story. At least he personally responded to his fan mail at some point.

Ringo Starr is shown outside Il Sole on 8/15/08. Credit: WENN

Paul McCartney, still reeling from the court drama of his divorce, rushed to the bedside of longtime friend and Beatles tour manager Neil Aspinall over the weekend to see him in his final moments. Aspinall, who began as the Beatles’ tour bus driver and in later years managed the band’s Apple Corps, died after a battle with lung cancer late yesterday.

The man known throughout the music industry as “the Fifth Beatle” has died from lung cancer.

Neil Aspinall, who controlled The Beatles’ music empire for more than 40 years, passed away in hospital in New York yesterday.

Sir Paul McCartney flew to the U.S. on Saturday to be at the bedside of the 66-year-old as his condition deteriorated. It is understood he had battled the disease for past two months.

Aspinall started work for the band as the £1-an-hour driver of their battered blue Commer van. He became their confidant and accountant, as well as contributing to some recordings, playing percussion on Magical Mystery Tour and singing backing vocals on Yellow Submarine.

In 1968 he took over Apple Corps, the company set up to manage the Beatles’ business interests.

In a statement released on behalf of Sir Paul and Ringo Starr and Beatle widows Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison, the company said: “As a loyal friend, confidant and chief executive, Neil’s trusting stewardship and guidance has left a far-reaching legacy for generations to come.

“All his friends and loved ones will greatly miss him but will always retain the fondest memories of a great man.”

[From the Daily Mail]

Neil was a smoker earlier in his life, but his family reported that he quit years ago- although it would seem not soon enough. Neil leaves behind his wife of 39 years and five children, including one he fathered with the mother of former Beatle Pete Best.

Note by Celebitchy: I remember when it was big news last year that this guy retired and was very surprised to hear of his death. RIP Neil. I know he wasn’t a full-fledged Beatle, but there are only two surviving members now, Sir Paul and Ringo Star.