While Ringo Starr’s post-Beatles career hasn’t generated the output of Lennon, McCartney, or Harrison, Starr has played with a wider variety of musicians than the other 3 via the many incarnations of his All Starr Band, the latest of which stopped by the Warner Theatre on Friday.
The band, where “everybody on stage is a star in their own right,” currently includes representation from Toto, Mister Mister, Santana, and Utopia, among others. Playing for just under two hours, the set list was filled with Starr’s solo songs, some Beatles songs, influential favorites, and those made famous by the musicians playing with Starr. Was it a little odd to see Starr drumming on songs like Toto’s “Africa” or Mister Mister’s “Broken Wings”? A little, to be honest. But it also showcased his versatility as a performer.
A highlight of the evening was hearing Beatles songs live that aren’t usually played elsewhere. “When I first joined the Beatles, I wrote many songs,” said Starr at one point. “Most were never recorded.” The ones that he did manage to get through, including “Don’t Pass Me By,” “Yellow Submarine,” and the show’s closer, “With a Little Help from My Friends,” were all played, the latter two whipping the audience into a massive sing-along. “In all honesty, you’re the best audience we’ve had all night,” quipped Starr.
Ringo Starr is now 75 and still advocates for the “peace and love” adage that The Beatles maintained throughout their entire career—right down to the peace sign belt buckle, lapel pin, and rhinestone-studded t-shirt. As a Beatle, Ringo could probably live his life without ever working again, but Starr has always been a musician—and musicians have to play. Via the All Starr Band, Ringo Starr has ensured he not only gets to play, but gets to do so with some of the better musicians around today.
SETLIST:
Matchbox (Carl Perkins)
It Don’t Come Easy (Ringo Starr)
What Goes On (The Beatles)
I Saw the Light (Todd Rundgren)
Evil Ways (Willie Bobo)
Rosanna (Toto)
Kyrie (Mr. Mister)
Bang the Drum All Day (Todd Rundgren)
Boys (The Shirelles)
Don’t Pass Me By (The Beatles)
Yellow Submarine (The Beatles)
Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen (Santana)
You’re Sixteen (Johnny Burnette)
I’m the Greatest (Ringo Starr)
You Are Mine (Richard Page)
Africa (Toto)
Oye como va (Santana/Tito Puente)
I Wanna Be Your Man (The Beatles)
Love Is the Answer (Utopia)
Broken Wings (Mr. Mister)
Hold the Line (Toto)
Photograph (Ringo Starr)
Act Naturally (Buck Owens)
With a Little Help From My Friends (The Beatles) with Give Peace a Chance (Plastic Ono Band)
