Ringo Starr was among the celebrities honoring Joe Walsh on Dec. 8 when Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) presented the guitarist with its annual Founders Award, The award is an honor given to artists who have made outstanding contributions in popular music. Pictures and video footage of the event were released Dec. 12 by the museum. Previous award recipients included Jimmy Page in 2015, Jackson Browne in 2014, Crosby, Stills and Nash in 2013, and in previous years Buddy Guy, Billy Cox, Steve Cropper, Robbie Robertson and Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart.

Besides Ringo, also speaking at the ceremony was MoPOP founder Paul G. Allen. A concert followed with guest performances by Ringo, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Noah Hunt, Robert Randolph, Paul Rodgers, Todd Rundgren and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Highlights of the tribute concert to Walsh featured Dave Grohl on bass, Taylor Hawkins on drums and Walsh on guitar performing as a trio with a performance of James Gang's “Lost Woman” and “Walk Away.” Also performing were Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Noah Hunt (“All Night Long”, “Turn To Stone”), Paul Rodgers (“Pretty Maids All In A Row”, “Life In The Fast Lane”), Robert Randolph (“I Can Play That Rock ‘n’ Roll”) and Todd Rundgren (“In The City”, “Life's Been Good To Me So Far”). Ringo joined Joe Walsh for “Rocky Mountain Way.” Dave Grohl led a group of all-stars who performed “Funk 49.”  (See video highlights of the ceremony and exclusive pictures on this page.)

The annual award gala, which is also a fundraising benefit, generated nearly $1.2 million this year for MoPOP’s youth and education initiatives, which the organization said is an all-time record for donations. The award marked the first time Walsh has been honored for his solo work.