reCAP :: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band :: 2016.06.05
So, I’m walking out of the Ringo and His All-Star Band show at The Cap last night, already giddy from arguably one of the theatre’s best shows to date, and as I approach the corner and wait for the light to change, an Escalade comes to a stop. The window quickly rolls down, and it’s Ringo Starr himself. With his trademark grin, he points to me, then to the red light, and shouts “another bloody red light!” He smiles again, throws up his signature peace signs, and I find myself channeling those teenage girls I’ve seen in countless videos running up to the car carrying The Beatles. As I approach the car, we quickly shake hands, the light changes, and the cherry on the proverbial sundae is complete.
I mention this personal story, because Starr was still giddy over the show he just put on – a glorious evening filled with a whopping 24 song-set. At one point during the show, the “peace and love” legend asked the crowd “Does it the sound alright out there? Because it sounds great from up here.” Boy did it.
From the moment he and his merry band of “All Starrs” (more on them later) hit the stage with a cover of Carl Perkins’ “Matchbox,” Starr, at 75, seemed just as vibrant as he had back in the glory days. The drum legend followed that up with his own “It Don’t Come Easy” before taking to his rightful place behind the kit, to play alongside an All Star band that included Steve Lukather (Toto founding member), Gregg Rolie (Santana and Journey founding member), Todd Rundgren (‘70s stud), and Richard Page (lead singer of 80s group Mr. Mister.) This wasn’t merely a group of musicians who were thrown together. Each artist played like an all-star and if you take the time to check their bios, you’ll find they’re just that - far from mere footnotes on a Ringo bill.
Backed by Warren Ham and Gregg Bissonette, the current All Starr band, by the way, are the longest running All Starr Band Starr has ever had. Together since 2012, they showcased three decades of rock, playing hits from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. The sold-out crowd were on their feet from song one, and it didn’t matter if audience members were born over the last three decades. This music is timeless and everyone rocked whether it was a teenager tagging along with their parents or a millennial taking in the very definition of classic rock. Truth be told, though, the audience was mostly filled with those who were raised on the Fab Four and feasted on the British Invasion. But, let’s get back to the music. Starr played drums as Rolie, Lukather, Rundgren, and Page passed the mic around in-between Starr short sets. Rundgren played “I Saw the Light” before Gregg Rolie, who played keyboards most of the night, performed Santana’s “Evil Ways.” He’s the original singer on that song by the way. Lukather performed Toto classic “Rosanna” to a standing “O,” Page provided a show highlight by nailing Mr. Mister’s “Kyrie,” and yes, the man himself had more highlights than Rundgren had in his hair.
Starr really had the audience channeling those Ed Sullivan glory days by playing “Don’t Pass Me By” back-to-back with “Yellow Submarine.” As the evening progressed, other hits were played including classic “Black Magic Woman” (Rolie), timeless 80s jam “Africa” (Toto), and Mr. Mister’s chart-topping “Broken Wings.” But, who are we kidding? The night belonged to a Beatle. Ever the showman, Starr worked the crowd – even teased them a bit (when someone was talking loudly, he quipped “this isn’t a talk show), and played drums like only he could play drums. He also pointed to girls in the audiences as if he was still alongside the Fab Four.
The evening closed out with Beatles classic “With a Little Help From My Friends” followed ever-so-quickly into the Plastic Ono Band’s “Give Peace a Chance.” Some people filmed the song on their phones, while others tossed up their hands with peace signs. For one night, at least, there was “peace and love” in the air, and nothing else in the world mattered.