Since 1989, Ringo Starr has assembled a various cast of musicians to tour and play a variety of songs with. This year’s versions has been consistent with the last few tours. They are Steve Lukather (Toto), Todd Rundgren (solo, Utopia), Greg Rollie (solo, Journey and Santana), Gregg Bissonette (David Lee Roth), Richard Page (Mister Mister), and Warren Ham (The Ham Brothers). They kicked off the previous night in Syracuse, so this was the 2nd show of the tour.
Starting off the summer season at Seneca Allegany, Ringo Starr & His All Star Band had plenty to give the fans this past Saturday night. The 2 hour set consisted of various songs from most of the All Stars careers, Ringo’s solo career and of course, The Beatles. It was nice to see them dust off the seldom played “What Goes On” off of The Beatles “Rubber Soul” album. Ringo remarked that it’s the only Beatles track that is written by Lennon-McCartney and Starkey.
The ever so energetic and charismatic Todd Rundgren took the stage professing his love for the Western New York area. He stated that his son played college ball at Utica and loves playing the area before he played “I Saw the Light.” He also made a joke saying that “Bang the Drum All Day” was the perfect song for “wafting in that manure smell” (as to the reference of playing outside.) There were no farm lands close by so not sure what Rundgren was referring to but it still made for a funny joke.
Starr was everywhere behind the kit and in front singing as well. He also hopped on the keyboards for the beginning of The Beatles classic “Don’t Pass Me by.” For the opening of “Yellow submarine” he said if you don’t like this song then you are in the wrong place as
Lukather started playing the opening chords to “Stairway to Heaven.”
Page was the vocal highlight as he killed it on the Mister Mister songs. His voice sounds just as good as 30 years ago when those songs were at the top of the charts. Ham’s talents didn’t go unnoticed as he went from keyboards, to percussion, to clarinet, to vocals (adding the high parts to those Toto songs in the set) to anything else Starr needed from him. Ham was terrific all night.
Starr was the conductor and when needed, let the other “stars” take center stage. This band is so tight and it’s probably the reason that Starr keeps inviting them back to tour with him. There is also talk about actually doing a record together. To see a living Beatle in the little town of Salamanca was what everyone was talking about before and after the show and what a show it was!
Set List:
Matchbox (Carl Perkins cover)
It Don’t Come Easy
What Goes On (The Beatles cover)
I Saw The Light (Todd Rundgren song)
Evil Ways (Willie Bobo cover)
Rosanna (Toto cover)
Kyrie (Mr. Mister cover)
Bang The Drum All Day (Todd Rundgren song)
Boys (The Beatles cover)
Don’t Pass Me By (The Beatles cover)
Yellow Submarine (The Beatles cover)
Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen (Santana cover)
You’re Sixteen (Johnny Burnette cover)
I’m The Greatest
You Are Mine (Richard Page song)
Africa (Toto cover)
Oye Como Va (Tito Puente cover)
I Wanna Be Your Man (The Beatles cover)
Love Is The Answer (Utopia cover)
Broken Wings (Mr. Mister cover)
Hold The Line (Toto cover)
Photograph
Act Naturally (Buck Owens cover)
With A Little Help From My Friends (The Beatles cover)
Give Peace A Chance (Plastic One Band cover)
We would like to thank Elizabeth Freund Beautiful Day Media for the credentials to review the show.
