Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band

Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band. October 1, 2015. The Masonic Auditorium.  

This show was originally scheduled for March 13, but it was canceled shortly before the date. It took Ringo a while to get back to the Masonic Auditorium. Even veteran staff were glad to work this one! It’s still exciting to see a Beatle! 

It was one of the oldest crowds I’ve seen, and maybe the most spaced out. Some of the crowd bordered on being elderly. There were some kids and family groups. Some parents brought their kids.  

Ringo gets a rousing introduction, but it’s not really needed. Who doesn’t know and love Ringo? The crowd quickly gets on its feet and he’s met with a standing ovation.

Ringo sings from the front of the stage. We’re used to seeing him behind the drums. It’s funny how small he looks.

The first song is Matchbox, an old Carl Perkins rocker to get started. It’s a nod to The Beatles Rockabilly roots. How it all got started. 

Yeah, who doesn’t love Ringo? He’s the Everyman Rock star, the guy who apparently lucked out by being in a band of geniuses. Ringo was the funny one, the Beatle we could relate to.  

He apologizes for the canceled show. “I was in Chile,” and he got bit by a bug, “That was this big!” He holds up a fist. “It Don’t Come Easy.” A good sing along song: “Got to pay your dues...”  

  A new song by Ringo: Islands in the Sun. 

The All-Star Band, for the record: Todd Rundgren, Gregg Rolie (Santana, Journey.) Steve Lukather. (Toto)  Richard Page on bass. (Mr. Mister) Warren Ham on sax. (Toto) Gregg Bissonette is the other drummer. Each member of the band will do at least one song from their former bands.

Todd Rundgren starts things off with: “I Saw the Light.” He still lives much of the year in the Bay Area, so this is a homecoming of sorts.  

I miss some comment about Woodstock and they play a song Santana did there: “Evil Ways.” The aging Baby Boomer crowd loves it. Gregg Rolie plays some great organ. 

“Rosanna.” A Toto cover led by Steve Lukather. “Kyrie” a Mr. Mister cover led by Richard Page. They are big radio hits that I recognized, but I had to go to  www.setlists.fm to identify some of the pop hits. 

Todd Rundgren takes center stage with steel drums for “Bang the Drum All Day.” I didn’t realize it was a Todd Rundgren song. 

“Boys.” There are many memories with the old Beatles songs. When I hear this I always think about how we used to sing Beatles’ hits in the old neighborhood. This was one of our big hits. 

“Don’t Pass Me By.” Beatles tune. Strange song. Always thought it was a time filler for the album. Crowd likes it.   

Ringo: “I’m not going to tell you the name of this next one. If you don’t know it, you’re in the wrong venue.” He tells us we won’t be hearing any Led Zeppelin tonight. “Yellow Submarine” really gets the crowd going. Everyone knows the words to this one! 

More Santana with “Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen.” Rolie is again outstanding at the keyboards. The band looks like they’re really enjoying letting loose and jamming. 

“You’re Sixteen.” Another old Rockabilly song. 

“I’m the Greatest.” Ringo Starr song. 

“Anthem” Ringo Starr. 

“You Are Mine.” Richard Page. 

“Africa” Toto. 

Another song done by Santana: “Oye como va.” 

Ringo asks, “Are there are any ladies in the audience tonight?” They respond. It’s a bit of the old Beatles charm. “I Wanna Be Your Man.” The band Rocks! 

“Love Is the Answer” Utopia song. 

“Broken Wings” Mr. Mister song. 

“Hold the Line” Toto. 

“Photograph” Ringo Starr song. 

“Act Naturally” It was Ringo’s first big song with The Beatles. 

Ringo again tells us there won’t be any Led Zeppelin, and that we should know the next one: “With a Little Help From My Friends.” Everyone is standing. Most are singing. So many people have so many memories with this song. 

Have to give this ancient audience credit. Many were up and dancing throughout. 

A great start to Hardly Strictly Bluegrass weekend!