KATHMANDU: Beatles drummer Ringo Starr marked his 80th birthday online on July 7 with help from his celebrity friends featuring classic Beatles songs — the celebration aims to aid causes including Black Lives Matter.

However, Sir Paul McCartney was no show at the event that left fans hoping for a virtual reunion between the duo disappointed — as the celebration concluded with an archive clip of the pair performing Helter Skelter.

“As most of you know, I’m fond of a good birthday party… but this is a bad year to host a get-together of any kind,” said the British musician, sitting behind a drum kit wearing a colourful face mask adorned with the peace sign, according to AFP. “So I’m celebrating with my friends in a new way this year — we’re going to have to keep our distance due to the coronavirus,” he said.

His friends, musicians Sheryl Crow and Kenny Loggins, and filmmaker David Lynch, recorded vocals and video tributes, as Starr introduced hits from the Beatles’ back catalogue as well as his own, adds AFP.

McCartney's tweet: https://bit.ly/2Z83MNt

Curiosity Rover's tweet: https://bit.ly/2O7Nwpq