LIVE – Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band –Perth, 21 February 2013
Challenge Stadium, Perth, Western Australia
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
Photography by Maree King
There are many things that Ringo Starr is NOT.
He’s not the best singer in the world, nor the best drummer. He was never the most talented Beatle, nor the most successful solo artist of those four world changing artists.
What he is though, is a consummate entertainer whose instantly likeable and genial on stage persona is that of a likeable rogue who is completely confident with the shadow that he and his former band have cast over not only modern music but also modern society.
Quick witted and loving every minute being on stage, Ringo looks great for his age (73!) and is sprightly as hell: he never stops moving, jumping behind his drum kit for a song or three – a position he has transcended enough that he can then assume centre stage to sing and Dad-dance, shake a tambourine and crack jokes with the audience, especially the over enthusiastic Beatles tragics.
With a razor sharp band – Steve Lukather of Toto and Todd Rundgren (Utopia and solo artist) on duelling lead guitars, Greg Rolie of Santana and Journey on keyboards, Richard Page of Mr Mister fame on bass, Mark Rivera (Billy Joel, Peter Gabriel) on percussion, sax & additional keys, and Greg Bissonette (David Lee Roth, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai) on drums – all stars in their own right (yeah, see what I did there…), Ringo has a lot of fun with the setlist, which includes a load of surprises and is a treat from start to finish for classic rock fans.
With Bissonette pinning down the drums, Starr jumps onto his parallel kit from time to time to prove that he may not be showy or flash on the kit, but no-one – now or back in The Beatles heyday – can nail down a rock solid backbeat like him.
The setlist bounces around from Ringo’s solo and Beatles work – which, as expected, mostly get the biggest cheers – including the tunes he did at the Concert For George in tribute to his former bandmate (Photograph especially was a highlight).
The rest of the band hit up their own history, so we get Steve Lukather singing Toto’s Rosanna and Africa with some blistering guitar work; Richard Page delivering wonderful versions of Mr Mister’s Kyrie and Broken Wings; Todd Rundgren – a ball of energy without respite – laying down fun filled versions of his I Saw The Light, Bang The Drum All Day and Love Is The Answer.
Keyboardist Greg Rolie, a veteran of Santana’s Woodstock era band and another Rock n’ Roll Hall Of Fame incumbent, delivers great versions of Santana’s Evil Ways, Black Magic Woman (featuring an amazing drum workout by Bissonette and some great – albeit electronic – congas courtesy of Rivera) and Everybody’s Everything.
Every band member (apart from Bissonette and Rivera) revels in their moment on the microphone, all sharing how thrilled they are to be a part of this band and playing with their bandmates – it was a real lovefest between the mutual admiration society on-stage, and Ringo’s recurring peace sign-flashing exhortions to peace & love in between– sincerely – exclaiming how hot the band are playing.
Closing out with his Beatles With A Little Help From My Friend – which he segued with Lennon’s Give Peace A Chance – the audience loved every moment of the night’s feast of entertainment.
Ringo Starr may not be the most lauded nor talented Beatle, but he more than holds his own in that esteemed company, and his performance proves that even four decades later he has plenty of talent to share.
Setlist:
Matchbox (Carl Perkins)
It Don’t Come Easy
Wings
I Saw the Light (Todd Rundgren)
Evil Ways (Santana)
Rosanna (Toto)
Kyrie (Mr. Mister)
Don’t Pass Me By (The Beatles)
Bang the Drum All Day (Todd Rundgren)
Boys (The Shirelles)
Yellow Submarine (The Beatles)
Black Magic Woman (Santana)
Honey Don’t (Carl Perkins)
Anthem
You Are Mine (Richard Page)
Africa (Toto)
Everybody’s Everything (Santana)
I Wanna Be Your Man (The Beatles)
Love Is the Answer (Utopia)
Broken Wings (Mr. Mister)
Hold the Line (Toto)
Photograph
Act Naturally (Buck Owens)
With a Little Help from My Friends (The Beatles)
Give Peace a Chance (John Lennon)
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Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries