Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band
Review

Ringo Starr illuminated the Long Beach Terrace Theater on May 23, the fourth show of his 22-date tour across the Western U.S. with his All Starr Band.

As the band took the stage to kick off the night with an electric cover of Carl Perkins’ “Matchbox,” anticipation grew in the atmosphere. The music crescendoed and the audience rose to their feet, cheering as Ringo ran to the center of the stage, taking time to greet the theater with his signature double peace signs for all.

It was evident that the famed musician was eager to be back on stage with his close friends and collaborators, Toto guitarist/singer Steve Lukather, Men At Work singer/guitarist Colin Hay, keyboardist/singer Edgar Winter, Kansas/Toto multi-instrumentalist Warren Ham, Average White Band bassist Hamish Stuart and drummer Gregg Bissonette.

In addition to being known as The Beatles’ signature drummer, Ringo has created a name for himself as a singer-songwriter and this performance perfectly showcased the diversity of his musical talents. With a prolific catalog of 20 solo, full-length albums and eight live albums with the All Starr Band, there was no shortage of hits to play.

The setlist delighted fans with a healthy mix of Beatles staples including “Octopus’s Garden,” “Act Naturally,” and of course, “Yellow Submarine,” as well as Ringo’s top solo work “It Don’t Come Easy,” “I’m The Greatest,” “Photograph” and more.

The spanning catalogs of the All Starrs also contributed to the stacked lineup, with The Edgar Winter Group’s “Free Ride,” Men At Work’s “Down Under” and Toto’s “Africa” all having individual moments in the spotlight. The band demonstrated their musical prowess, jamming for 20 minutes and covering a variety of hits, even sprinkling in a little taste of “Come Together.”

A highlight of the evening was when the driving force behind The Beatles stepped behind the drum kit for “I Wanna Be Your Man,” transporting the crowd back to 1964 when the lads from Liverpool performed in America for the very first time.

At 82 years old with a music career of over 65 years, it is evident that Ringo has not lost his joy for music or his witty sense of humor. He graciously expressed his gratitude to the crowd, asking to turn the house lights up so he can see everyone. He even took time to read a fan’s sign and call back to those who shouted out their love for him.

The evening reflected Ringo’s warmth and positivity, ending with The Beatles’ classic, “With A Little Help From My Friends” and “Give Peace a Chance” by Plastic Ono Band. The multigenerational audience united to adoringly sing along and celebrate the magic of music.

In closing, I want to end on a personal note, expressing my gratitude for the music and joy Ringo has brought to my life. While I was raised in a household where Ringo was the favorite Beatle, it wasn’t until I watched Get Back that I fully appreciated his genuine kindness and undeniable comedic timing. I’ll treasure this memory for years to come and encourage everyone to experience this legend live if you have the chance.

Ringo says it best – peace and love.