Ringo Starr, an international spokesman for the virtues of peace and love—and also, we hear, a pretty good drummer—has partnered with the United Nations to release “Now The Time Has Come,” an anthem commemorating the UN’s International Day of Peace, recognized annually on September 21. Co-written with producer Bruce Sugar, “Now The Time Has Come,” with verses sung by Starr, Richard Page (Mr. Mister), Colin Hay (Men at Work) and Billy Valentine, also features backing vocals from what a press release describes as “social media superstars”: Christian Collins, Maddi Jane, Casey McPherson, James Maslow and Wesley Stromberg.
The song is part of a massive social media campaign called #HugForPeace, a “combination call-to-action and hashtag,” according to the release, that promotes 24 hours of non-violence on the International Day of Peace through a simple act: a hug. The campaign was launched at the annual Ringing of the Peace Bell ceremony hosted at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on September 16 by UN Assistant Secretary-General Ray Chambers.
“I worked on this record with peace and love,” said Ringo. “It was a joy to be part of this project.”
Related: More peace and love with Ringo
To ensure that young people play a leading role in the campaign, Chambers has enlisted the support of top social media stars, who are all lending their voices in support of #HugForPeace. Partners include Facebook, Influential Network, Sprinklr, the U.S. Institute of Peace, Princess House and Religions for Peace, among others.
In 2001, the United Nations General Assembly designated September 21 as the International Day of Peace, devoted to strengthening the ideals for peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. The day was also established as an annual day of non-violence and cease-fire. The Secretary-General has asked partners to lend their voices to this call for a laying down of arms, in order to bring about a 24-hour ceasefire on September 21.
Listen to “Now The Time Has Come”…
Related: Ringo is touring the U.S., Japan and South Korea this fall
