Finally, after a few years of postponements due to the pandemic, concerts are back in full swing in 2022. One of the most fun tours you can ever see is Ringo Starr’s All-Star Band. It’s finally back and with a new lineup. This year’s lineup includes Steve Lukather and Colin Hay on guitar, Warren Ham on flute, saxophone, Gregg Bissonette on drums, Hamish Stuart on bass and welcome back Edgar Winter on keyboards, sax and keytar.
Taking the stage at 7:05pm, the very joyful and young-looking Ringo Starr flashed his traditional peace and love sign to all. The band went into a traditional cover usually performed by Ringo’s band called “Matchbox.” Ringo went back and forth as the front man and then jumping back behind the kit to play drums throughout the duration of the show. As in years past, Ringo let’s every artist take center stage and share in the spotlight. Some of the notable performances were Winter’s “Frankenstein,” Hay’s version of “Down Under” and Hamish’s version of “Pick up the Pieces.” Most of the people were on their feet and signing along to “Down Under.” Hay’s voice has really stood the test of time. In fact, I believe it got stronger as the night went on. He even lent his vocals to the beginning chorus of “Africa.”
Bissonette did a really cool drum solo incorporating specific beats from various songs and making into his own. At one point, Lukather teased the audience playing a few chords to Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven and then The Beatles “Day Tripper.” His steady guitar playing was another highlight as well. Lukather has been with Ringo for a lover 10 years and you can see the camaraderie they built over that time.
With all that said, the star of the show (no pun intended), is Ringo Starr. The people come to see and witness a Beatle. His playing and vocals are still at a high level. He is just a little over a month away from turning 82 years young. Ringo’s banter and lighthearted comedic action in between songs is what keeps him enduring to his fanbase. When he stepped away for a few songs, he came back right after Bissonette finished his drum solo. He quipped, “in case you didn’t know, we have another drummer.” He also talked about the only song that he co-wrote with Lennon and McCartney was “What Goes On.” He said he wanted top billing, but he got punched out!
This was the 3rd show of the tour and I didn’t see too much rust at all on any of the musicians. I thought the flow was good with a perfect balance of Ringo/Beatle tunes with the other artists material. Trying to figure whose songs are going where in the setlist I’m sure is the biggest obstacle Ringo faces when putting these shows together. Ringo’s message still holds true and even more so today, it’s all about “Peace and Love.” How can you not have that feeling exiting his show?
Setlist:
Matchbox (Carl Perkins cover)
It Don’t Come Easy (Ringo Starr song)
What Goes On (The Beatles cover)
Free Ride (The Edgar Winter Group cover)
Rosanne (Toto cover)
Pick up the Pieces (Average White Band cover)
Down Under (Men at Work cover)
Boys (The Shirelles cover)
I’m the Greatest (Ringo Starr song)
Yellow Submarine (The Beatles cover)
Cut the Cake (Average White Band cover)
Frankenstein (The Edgar Winter Group)
Octopus’s Garden (The Beatles cover)
Back of Boogaloo (Ringo Starr song)
Overkill (Men at work cover)
Africa (Toto cover)
Work to Do (Isley Brothers cover)
I Want to be Your Man (The Beatles cover)
Johnny B. Goode (Chuck Berry cover)
Who Can’t It Be Now? (Men at Work cover)
Hold the Line (Toto cover)
Photograph (Ringo Starr song)
Act Naturally (Johnny Russell cover)
With a Little Help by my Friends (The Beatles cover) with a snippet of Give Peace a Chance (Plastic Ono band cover)
We would like to thank Jordynn Gould from Brooklyn Made and Elizabeth Freund from Beautiful Day Media for the credentials to review the show.
