Beatles legend, 86, hasn’t aged a day as fans can’t believe his youthful appearance at birthday celebration

Ringo Starr proved that age really is just a number as the Beatles legend celebrated his 86th birthday in Beverly Hills on Tuesday.

Looking remarkably youthful in a black leather jacket, white jeans and his trademark tinted sunglasses, the drummer appeared to have barely changed over the decades as he took centre stage for his annual Peace and Love celebration, joined by his wife Barbara Bach and a host of famous friends.

The music icon smiled as he greeted hundreds of devoted fans gathered at Beverly Gardens Park before leading his now-traditional “Peace and Love” chant, a birthday ritual he has celebrated every year since 2008.

“It’s LA. I love LA, I love the light, and we’re pretty much guaranteed a beautiful day like today,” Ringo told the crowd before the celebration got underway.

The annual event has become one of Beverly Hills’ best-loved traditions, but it started far more modestly.

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“We started in Chicago with like 40 people,” Ringo told The California Post. “We gave the crowd little cakes and by 8 p.m. that night they were on the internet being sold for a grand.”

Now, the celebration attracts hundreds of Beatles fans from across the country, all eager to celebrate one of music’s most enduring stars.

Among the day’s highlights was Ringo posing beside the towering 800-pound stainless steel Peace and Love sculpture he donated to the city before cutting an enormous birthday cake decorated with his own likeness.

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Surrounded by loved ones

Barbara Bach, 77, was by her husband’s side throughout the festivities, with the couple looking as loved-up as ever more than four decades after they tied the knot in 1981.

The former Bond girl coordinated effortlessly with Ringo in a chic monochrome outfit as they greeted fans and soaked up the celebrations together.

The birthday bash also attracted an impressive guest list, including Grammy-winning guitarist T-Bone Burnett, legendary drummer Jim Keltner and actor Ed Begley Jr., who joined the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to the star.

“I think of Ringo as a great singer,” Burnett said. “I love his voice, I love his storytelling. He has this beautiful generosity; he’s just getting better as he gets older.”

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Beatlemania lives on

The atmosphere transported fans back to Beatlemania’s heyday, with tributes to iconic albums including Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Yellow Submarine on display throughout the park.

Entertainment came courtesy of The Texans, fronted by Grammy-winning musician Molly Tuttle, who has collaborated with Ringo on his two most recent country albums. The band delighted the crowd with Beatles classics including Drive My Car and Octopus’s Garden.

Also attending was Chris Carter, host of Breakfast With The Beatles, America’s longest-running Beatles radio programme, who was warmly welcomed by fans eager to show their support following news that his long-running show had recently been reduced from three hours to two.

A timeless icon

Despite turning 86, Ringo looked every bit the rock star who helped change music history more than six decades ago.

His effortless style, youthful appearance and boundless energy had fans commenting that the legendary drummer simply hasn’t aged.

After cutting his birthday cake, Ringo and Barbara were escorted through the sea of well-wishers before climbing into a waiting SUV.

Even then, the celebration wasn’t quite over. Leaning out one last time, Ringo called to the crowd: “Peace and love.” An adoring fan immediately shouted back: “All You Need is Love, Ringo. Happy Birthday!”