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Ringo Starr spryly jogged off the stage for a two song personal break midway through his All Starr Band set. It was just… good to see. 83 years to his credit and going strong. Perhaps that captures the spirit for many attending, reliving previous decades of music with vigor today. Through most of the two hour plus set, the audience at Fox Theatre remained standing, perhaps in appreciation of the opportunity to see the legendary Beatles drummer, but also the energy that he and the band brought to the show.
Ringo’s version of a rock supergroup began in 1989 with members of other bands on hiatus or looking for a musical outlet between other projects. This version, the 14th iteration, began in 2019 and features Steve Lukather (original guitarist and a songwriter for Toto), Colin Hay (vocals, guitar from Australia’s Men at Work), Edgar Winter (from his own band, on keyboards, sax, vocals and drums), Hamish Stuart (bass, guitar and vocals from Average White Band and early 90’s McCartney records/tours), Gregg Bissonette (drums, trumpet, backing vocals and master of visual comedy), and Warren Ham (sax, harmonica, flute, percussion, keyboards, vocals from Blood rock and Kansas). They fill the stage.
Their setlist has been static but features songs Ringo sang in The Beatles and from his early 70’s solo albums. Each of the other singers takes the lead for three songs, interspersed with from Ringo, either at the drums or at the front of the stage. As mentioned, the energy is there in the performance, and the band has a visible camaraderie. Their band member and individual song introductions… well, they don’t offer an “in the moment” freshness, but that can be forgiven as they’re consistently humorous and occasionally educational.
Highlights from the All Starr band included Winter’s FM radio staple “Frankenstein,” where he played keyboards, sax and drums, Toto’s “Hold the Line” and “Africa” (or anywhere else Lukather could unleash lead guitar licks), and each of the Men at Work songs. Colin Hay retains most of the vocal range he displayed back in the 80’s, and the band excelled at his songs. Ringo is obviously a fan, as he often mouthed key phrases as he was doing his part on the drums. The set was not just a singles revue, but also included some “jams” including “Frankenstein” and a funky trek on The Isley Brothers’ “Work to Do.”
The Starr of the show is obviously Ringo, however. “It Don’t Come Easy,” “Photograph,” and the overwhelmingly popular “Yellow Submarine” stood out. But for fans who may have seen him in the old TV clippings or, better, on the Get Back documentary, his style at his kit remains ageless Ringo, regardless of whose song they play. And that’s kind of what makes seeing a legend great. It’s that guy, who was there for so many influential sessions that shaped the musical landscape and found their place in the cultural fabric. It’s obvious that he loves what he does, and it’s infectious. He tours a lot, but go ahead and catch him now. The current tour ends mid-October.
Ringo continues to release albums every couple years. Here’s a favorite song that featuring Joss Stone, followed by the setlist and additional photos.
Setlist:
