CHICAGO (AP) - Ringo Starr celebrated his 68th birthday in Chicago giving out messages of peace and love, along with dessert.

Fans surrounded the former Beatles drummer Monday as he waited for the clock to strike noon the Hard Rock Hotel. Then he flashed peace signs with both hands in the air and yelled, "Twelve o'clock — peace and love!"

The crowd of about 300 sang "Happy Birthday" to Starr, who passed out white-iced cupcakes with his wife Barbara Bach. He says his dream for the day was to spread peace and love.

Starr and his band play a concert in Chicago on Sunday.

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