A few days before Paul McCartney’s 80th birthday this Saturday (June 18), Ringo Starr prepared a public declaration of love for him: “Paul is one of my best friends and will be until the end of my days. I love this man,” said the drummer to “Bild am Sonntag”. He continued: “And if I had one wish, it would be that he inspires the world for another 80 years.”
Old love without rust
Paul McCartney is not only one of the most loyal people he knows – but also one of the most soulful. “You always have friends in your heart. It’s no different with us. George, John, many other companions are still with us when we’re on stage,” said the 81-year-old. In person, the two Beatles would not see each other very often. Instead, the former bandmates now communicate more via their mobile phones and video conferences. “But we don’t have to see each other every week,” Starr said, adding, “Our friendship is so deep that we don’t need to be constantly chatting.”
Ringo Starr: “Actually, we belong in a retirement home”
According to the drummer, the two Liverpool-born musicians now use their age as an opportunity for jokes. But the music acts as a kind of fountain of youth: “Actually, we belong in a retirement home, but we still tour the world. Music just keeps us young.” Apparently he doesn’t yet know what gift Ringo Starr is giving his former singer: “Oh dear, I haven’t thought about that yet. He has everything. Maybe a new guitar.”