‘I am a vegetarian, I have broccoli with everything and blueberries every morning. I just do stuff that I feel is good for me’

Ex-Beatles drummer Ringo Starr celebrates his 80th birthday today, though him turning an octogenarian is hard to believe seeing his energy levels and  youthful appearance.

But for Richard Starkey, his real name before becoming Ringo Starr, a long-time vegetarian diet and exercise have kept him going strong despite the years.

 In an earlier interview with Rolling Stone, he said  “staying active” and “eating broccoli with every meal” allows him to stay young and active.

“I am a vegetarian, I have broccoli with everything and blueberries every morning. I just do stuff that I feel is good for me,” he said.

The legendary musician also works out a minimum three days a week.

“I’ve got a gym and I’m in there between three and six days a week,” he added.

Going plant-based 

While the ex-member of the Fab Four affirmed in an interview with EFE that he became a vegetarian after watching a bullfight in Spain in 1965, he isn’t the only one from the iconic band to switch to a plant-based lifestyle.

Sir Paul McCartney embraced veganism for ethical reasons and also because he was influenced by his late wife, Linda, to adopt the cruelty free lifestyle. George Harrison was also reported to have become a vegetarian.

Celebration for a cause

In the Rolling Stone Interview: Special Edition, Starr also discussed Ringo’s Big Birthday Show, a virtual charity concert to be streamed on YouTube at 8 p.m. EST July 7th. 

“I love birthdays,” he said.

“This year is going to be a little different. There’s no big get-together, there’s no brunch for 100. But we’re putting this show together – an hour of music and chat. It’s quite a big birthday.”

The show will include a host of at-home performances and unseen concert footage from Paul McCartney, Sheryl Crow, Gary Clark, Jr., Sheila E, Ben Harper, and others.

The online show will benefit four charities: Black Lives Matter Global Network, The David Lynch Foundation, MusiCares, and WaterAid.

• Read: Paul McCartney wishes you ditch meat for his 78th birthday

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