LOS ANGELES (REUTERS) - Ringo Starr celebrated his 77th birthday last Friday by announcing a new album that will feature former Beatles bandmate Paul McCartney.

Starr's 19th solo album Give More Love will be released on Sept 15 and will include McCartney on two tracks.

"We are still mates," Starr said of his Fab Four pal. "He's out on the road, he's got his own life. I'm out on the road a lot making records and he was in town, so I called him and I said: 'I've got this track for you to play on.'"

The drummer called McCartney "the most melodic bass player in the world".

Starr holds his birthday celebrations in public every year, raising awareness for his peace-and-love message.

Last Friday, he led a crowd gathered on the sunny streets of Hollywood in a "peace and love" chant.

He was joined on stage by guests including guitarist Joe Walsh, who is a member of Starr's band and also his brother-in-law, as well as Twin Peaks director David Lynch.

"There is a lot of trouble in the world, a lot of violence in the world and a lot of starvation and a lot of people without water," Starr said. "I'm a big supporter of Water Aid because everyone should at least have water... It's not all bombs and guns."

The birthday boy is not slowing down in the performing lane too.

In October, fans can head to Las Vegas to catch his shows at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino before he fans out to Texas, Florida and the East Coast, among other places, for gigs.