By: Opher Segal for Beatles International, Photos: Barbara Klein
On Thursday, June 15, 2023, at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, Ringo Starr, 82, and his All Starr Band played to an sold-out crowd. Ringo, the eternal Beatle, had the exuberance fitting a man several decades younger. His energy, coupled with his remarkable drumming skills rocked the house. The Band featured Original Santana and Journey keyboard player and vocalist, Edgar Winter. On bass and vocals was Average White Band’s Hamish Stuart. On guitar and vocals was Men at Work’s Colin Hay. Toto’s Steve Lukather performed on guitar and vocals. Former David Lee Roth and ELO drummer Gregg Bissonette excelled. These talented musicians with hits from the 70’s and ‘80’s still have what it takes to put on a great show!
The evening’s string of hits included familiar songs such as “Matchbox”, “Down Under” and “Rosanna”. Lukather, Stuart, Hay, and Winter all performed several hits by their former bands as well as iconic hits by the Beatles. The enthusiastic audience sang along, knowing every word. As the show progressed, Ringo took the drum seat on Edgar Winter’s “Free Ride.
Ringo added to the night’s list of hits with the songs “I’m the Greatest”, “Octopus’s Garden”, “Yellow Submarine”, “Back Boogaloo” and Winter’s “Frankenstein”. Bissonette performed a condensed version of Queen’s “We Will Rock You”, “Come Together”, “Ticket to Ride” Rush’s YYZ, Led Zeppelin’s “Rock N’ Roll” and “Immigrant Song”, Eddie Van Halen’s “Hot For Teacher”, and The Rolling Stone’s “Honky Tonk Woman”.
The show concluded with “With a Little Help From My Friends” blending into “Give Peace a Chance”. Ringo motioned to his friends in the audience, including his favorite drummer Jim Keltner, Toto’s David Paich, Howard Jones, and The Heartbreakers Benmont Tech, to join him on center stage during the finale.
Ringo has always surrounded himself with incredible talent. However, there is absolutely nothing like being in the presence of a member of the legendary Beatles. Enjoying Ringo live, in concert, is thrilling. Being in the company of a man who contributed to make an indelible mark on music history is an experience! Generations past, present, and future have and will continue to know and appreciate The Beatles.
For over two hours of a love fest concert at the legendary Greek Theater, Sir Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band captivated the audience. This was a concert I shall never forget! See you next year!
Ending note: I must add, throughout the evening Ringo’s ‘dished’ out several well-chosen witty, low tone Liverpool timeless humor which was embraced and adored by the appreciative adoring crowd. With that in mind, some of you may recall a short back-flash to one of Ringo’s all-time gems while being interviewed in the mid 1960’s. Ringo was asked by a journalist” Are you mod or Rocker?” Ringo replied instantaneously and brilliantly “No, I am a mocker!”
The Beatles always were, and the surviving members of Ringo and Paul always are keeping current. A short time ago, Paul announced to the media that the Beatles will shortly release a ‘newly’ arranged Beatles song, a bit ‘intimidating’… with John at the lead singing via AI, Artificial Intelligence in keeping with current time and technology. 
The Set List:
1. Matchbox – Carl Perkins
2. It Don’t Come Easy
3. What Goes On – The Beatles
4. Free Ride – Edgar Winter
5. Rosanna – Toto
6. Pick Up the Pieces – Average White Band
7. Down Under – Men At Work
8. Boys – Shirelles (The Beatles version)
9. I am the Greatest
10. Yellow Submarine – The Beatles
11. Cut the Cake – Average White Band (without Ringo)
12. Frankenstein – Edgar Winter Group (Without Ringo)
13. Octopus’s Garden – The Beatles
14. Back off Boogaloo
15. Overkill – Men at Work
16. Africa – Toto
17. Work to Do -_Isley Brothers (Average White Band Version)
18. I Wanna Be Your Man – The Beatles
19. Jonny B Goode – Chuck Berry (Edgar Winter dedicated to his brother Johnny)
20. Who Can It Be Now? – Men At Work
21. Hold the Line – Toto
22. Photograph – Ringo Starr
23. Act Naturally – Buck Owens (Beatles Version)
24. With a Little Help From My Friends / Give Peace A Chance – Beatles / John Lennon