A Star For A Starr!

The event, watched by thousands of fans, took place in front of Capitol Records, at 1750 Vine in Hollywood, where Ringo's star, the 2401st on the walk, was placed in line with fellow Beatle's George Harrison and John Lennon as well as dear friend Roy Orbison (whose star was celebrated just last week, with Ringo adding "Roy was the hardest act the Beatles ever had to follow").

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the Hollywood Walk of Fame with a special evening event, and it was a full-on Hollywood style celebration, closing off Hollywood and Vine and using search lights to emblazon the night sky. Ringo applauded the change, encouraging the Chamber to continue these in the evening, "I don't know how it is where you come from," he said, "but where I live, the stars come out at night."  Leron Gubler, CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, welcomed everyone.

On hand to induct Ringo was fellow "mocker" and now brother in law Joe Walsh, musician, friend and former producer Don Was and Ringo's most recent band mate and friend Ben Harper, who just completed a promotional tour to support Ringo's current CD Y NOT.  In his acceptance speech, Ringo said of his inductors, "I like to spend as much time as I can with great human beings, and the three guys that got up tonight are at the top of my list." The love was palpable, emulating from the heartfelt eloquent and often funny speeches from Ringo's friends and the crowd who could not contain their enthusiasm and shouted "Peace and Love!" and "We Love You Ringo!!" throughout the 40 minute plus ceremony.  One voice from the crowd reached Ringo and he said into the microphone, with his typical wit,  "in case you didn't hear her she said I look fantastic!"

Sitting to the right of the stage was Ringo's family, including his wife, Barbara Bach Starkey, and Ringo thanked her from the podium adding  "30 years we have been together, she is a beautiful human being with a beautiful heart and that's who I fell in love with...I love you Barbara." Ringo also acknowledged The Beatles, and Paul, who was in England and couldn't attend, saying, "I still think we were the best band in the land."  Sitting next to Barbara was her sister Marjorie Bach Walsh, and friends Barbara Orbison and son Roy Jr, Olivia Harrison, David Lynch, Eric Idle, Benmont Tench, Jeff Lynne, Noah Wylie, All Starr's Edgar Winter and wife Monique, Gary Wright and his wife Rose, Sheila E, Jim Keltner and many more friends and family. Even Mayor Villarigosa, who was scheduled to be at another simultaneous event, meant to just drop by but wound up staying for the duration.

It was a love and star filled night for Ringo, who concluded his speech with an exuberant trademark "Peace and Love!"

The entire Ringo Starr Hollywood Star event could be seen on a live webcast, produced by SyncLive, which brought the event to online viewers around the world, and can still be seen in encore broadcasts at RingoStarr.com and TheBeatles.com.

Photo: Rob Shanahan