(1) Today is Ringo Starr's 80th birthday.

- I only met him once but have seen him live several times & love the many treasures in his solo catalogue. Here's the best thing ever- his cover of "I Call Your Name" for John Lennon's 50th

(2) That's Ringo in 1990 with Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Jim Keltner & Joe Walsh.

I got to see the first few All Starr Band lineups - including the legendary first tour with Dr. John, Levon Helm, Clarence Clemons, Billy Preston, Nils Lofgren, Rick Danko & Jim Keltner...

(3) I saw his 2nd solo tour w/Nils, Joe, Todd Rundgren, Dave Edmunds at Radio City and it was roof-shaking. A great show.

That was the year of "Time Takes Time" one of his best solo albums. "Weight of the World" still sounds great:

(4) A few years back I was acting on the finale of NBC's "Providence" & sneaked out of the US over the weekend to see "Concert for George" at Albert Hall w/Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Billy Preston, Monty Python, Ravi Shankar, & Ringo.

(5) I had hoped he'd cover "What is Life" or "Got My Mind Set On You" (bc he'd be great & he should still cover them) - but his version of "Photograph" made the whole room cheer & weep:

(6) Here's Ringo with Paul & George performing "Blue Moon of Kentucky." Quick and lovely and fascinating:

(7) If you want to hear a quality live Ringo record I love his "VH1 Storytellers" performance. It's just Ringo without the All-Starrs & he finally plays "Octopus' Garden" & "Don't Pass My By" live.

(8) "Ringo" is still a terrific album, and "Beaucoups of Blues" may be his most underrated - is a fantastic country & western album, the kind they don't make any more. And of course there's this:

(9) And check out George's original demo of "It Don't Come Easy" - with the "Hare Krishnas" still included. It'll blow your mind.

(10) I've never interviewed @ringostarrmusic but I'd travel anywhere to interview him for SiriusXM & I'm willing to do an hour without even mentioning his former band.

Maybe a few q's about Rory & the Hurricanes, but that's it.

(11) Remember, Ringo had 2 solo #1 hits before John had his first.

There are still a bunch of great tunes he's never performed live (like "Goodnight" from White Album) so here's to many more tours, into his 80s & beyond. #PeaceAndLove