Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr
Hard Rock Live Hollywood

By Jay Skolnick

After two postponements due to Covid, Ringo Starr brought his All Starr Band to Hollywood’s Hard Rock Live on September 17. The timeless drummer first came up with the idea back in 1989 and has been bringing new versions of his All Starrs to appreciative fans for decades. The band has always consisted of Starr, along with an assortment of successful musicians. The concerts interchange Starr’s singing, including selections of his Beatles and solo songs. Then there are performances of each of the other artist’s well-known material.

Now at 82, there seems to be no stopping the famous Beatle. The Fab drummer was in the group for only 8 years, which seems hard to comprehend after 50 years of performing. Starr has had a long and winding solo career. Today’s version of the All Starr Band consists of Steve Lukather (Toto), Colin Hay (Men at Work), Gregg Bissonette (David Lee Roth), Hamish Stuart (Average White Band/Paul McCartney), Edgar Winter (Edgar Winter Group), and Warren Ham (Toto/RSASB). Each member of the band is a “starr” in his own right.

Right off the bat, Ringo showed why so many can’t get enough of him. He hit the stage saying, “Hello there in the purple. I remember you,” and “You there in the red, great to see you again.” Then the set opened with an energetic and bluesy version of “Matchbox,” followed by “It Don’t Come Easy.” Old and young danced at their seats and sang along. Starr continually flashed his trademark peace signs at every turn, promoting his peace and love mantra in between some comical banter. Ringo’s energy was contagious.

Various All Stars were spotlighted. For instance, Edgar Winter’s delivered the well-known tribute to brother, “Johnny Be Good,” as well as “Free Ride,” and “Frankenstein.” Lukather’s “Roseanna,” and the dueling sax solos by Winter and Warren Ham were crowd favorites. However, the Starr of the show was undoubtedly Ringo. He engaged fans at every turn and gave them rousing versions of an energetic “Boys,” the popular “Photograph,” “What Goes On,” “Yellow Submarine,” and “Octopus’s Garden.” He closed with the iconic “With a Little Help from My Friends,” adding the Plastic Ono Band’s familiar chorus, “Give Peace a Chance.” It was a perfect conclusion to a 2 hour plus show.

“I loved every part of the concert,” said Beth Rudolf, a promoter from Boca Raton. “I also appreciate how he engaged members of the audience, talking about peace and love. But what else would you expect?”

“Ringo’s voice was incredible,” said Madeline Randi, “To look at him and hear him, you would not believe his age. He wooed the audience, and we adored him for it.”

Ringo and His All-Starr Band, now 33 years running in various incarnations, is still the show to see – even if it takes 2 years to use your ticket.

Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band set list

Matchbox (Carl Perkins cover)

It Don’t Come Easy (Ringo Starr song)

What Goes On (The Beatles cover)

Free Ride (The Edgar Winter Group cover) (with Edgar Winter)

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)

I’m the Greatest (Ringo Starr song)

Yellow Submarine (The Beatles cover)

Cut the Cake (Average White Band cover) (with Hamish Stuart)

Frankenstein (The Edgar Winter Group cover) (with Edgar Winter)

Octopus’s Garden (The Beatles cover)

Back Off Boogaloo (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)

I Wanna Be Your Man (The Beatles cover)

Johnny B. Goode (Chuck Berry cover) (with Edgar Winter)

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 (Johnny Russell cover)

With a Little Help from My Friends (The Beatles cover) (with chorus “Give Peace a Chance” by Plastic Ono Band