A Night with Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band

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Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band

Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, AZ, USA August 26, 2019

The famed Beatles drummer and two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee returned this week to Arizona for the first time since 1992. The last appearance was at a University of Arizona arena with the help of his friends, Jimmy Buffett and James Taylor. The show was a benefit for Sierra Tucson Foundation, a detox center. The experience at the Celebrity Theatre was a very different experience in more ways than one.

The Celebrity Theatre was a much more intimate ambiance having a seating capacity of approximately 2650. The stage is in the round and rotates throughout the show. Each fan had an opportunity to view the show from a close vicinity. The downside is that from any angle in the theatre, you are viewing the back of the band for half of the show. That said, the show was sold out and it was obvious that everyone present was thrilled to be in the presence of a living Beatle.

The 2019 All-Starr band features a collection of classic pop-rock legends: Steve Lukather on guitar (founding member of Toto), Colin Hay on guitar (Men At Work), Gregg Rolie on organ (co-founder of Santana and Journey), Greg Bissonette on drums (David Lee Roth Band), Warren Ham on saxophone and flute (Kansas) and Hamish Stuart on bass guitar (Average White Band).

Starr’s charisma was present from the start of the show as he moved from all areas of the round stage flashing his characteristic peace sign and his infectious smile. Those fans in the front row got some extra individual attention from Starr throughout the show.

Starr introduced the Country-tinged “Don’t Pass Me By,” by sharing “When I joined the Beatles, I’d written a lot of songs. None of them were recorded until we got to this one.” He baited the crowd when he introduced “Boys,” “It’s that time where I’m going do a number with a band I used to be in,” Starr said, earning a rousing cheer. “Rory Storm and the Hurricanes.”

Much of the show’s success is contingent on the All-Starr Band’s past musical history since Starr has fewer hit songs than Paul McCartney. Each band member took the spotlight to one another in rapid succession. Rolie gave a killer performance of Santana’s “Evil Ways” and “Black Magic Woman.” Hay’s rendition of “Down Under” and “Overkill” were reminders of how good Men At Work were.

Stuart added funk to the show when he led with AWB’s classics “Pick Up the Pieces” and “Cut the Cake.” All band members gave stellar performances.

Starr’s songs are perfect sing-a-long songs and the fans took full advantage of providing choral support for “Yellow Submarine,” “A Little Help From My Friends,” and “Act Naturally.”

Starr either left the stage while the All-Starr Band took turns performing songs from their own past or he took the position in the background as the second drummer. The lean Starr may have seemed a bit fragile when he was singing lead, but he was as strong as a tiger when he was seated behind the drum set. Two drummers created an explosive sound for the band.

This was a fun show in an intimate setting. In the end, it was simply just a thrill to see Starr play the drums live. His singing was possibly stronger and better than when he was younger.

Photos from the night of Ringo Starr

Matchbox (Carl Perkins cover)
It Don’t Come Easy (Ringo Starr song)
What Goes On (The Beatles cover)
Evil Ways (Willie Bobo cover) (with Gregg Rolie)
Rosanna (Toto cover) (with Steve Lukather)
Pick Up the Pieces (Average White Band cover) (with Hamish Stuart)
Down Under (Men at Work cover) (with Colin Hay)
Boys (The Shirelles cover)
Don’t Pass Me By (The Beatles cover)
Yellow Submarine (The Beatles cover) (with ‘Day Tripper’ by The… more )
Cut the Cake (Average White Band cover) (with Hamish Stuart)
Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen (with Gregg Rolie)
You’re Sixteen (Johnny Burnette cover)
Anthem (Ringo Starr song)
Overkill (Men at Work cover) (with Colin Hay)
Africa (Toto cover) (with Steve Lukather)
Work to Do (The Isley Brothers cover) (with Hamish Stuart)
Oye como va (Tito Puente cover) (with Gregg Rolie)
I Wanna Be Your Man (The Beatles cover)
Who Can It Be Now? (Men at Work cover) (with Colin Hay)
Hold the Line (Toto cover) (with Steve Lukather)
Photograph (Ringo Starr song)
Act Naturally (Buck Owens cover)
With a Little Help From My Friends (The Beatles cover) (with ‘Give Peace a Chance’ by… more )