Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band shine in Costa Mesa

From left, keyboardist Gregg Rolie, guitarist Steve Lukather, Ringo Starr, sax player Warren Ham
(in the back),  bassist Richard Page, guitarist Todd  Rundgren and drummer Gregg Bissonette.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

On a night when Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton blew a long-standing tradition of candidates being nice to each other at the annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York, wasn't it the perfect alternative to be on the other side of the country in a room filled with peace, love and Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band performing a two-hour concert that delivered at every turn.

Performing before a capacity crowd at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, CA, this was an event that allowed Beatles and rock 'n' roll lovers of all tastes to indulge in a true retreat from the troubles of today. The former Beatles drummer/singer-songwriter led his terrific band comprised of truly talented players on a magical mystery tour of not only his most beloved Fab Four hits, but rock radio staples featuring the other members of his troupe. Starr could well do shows alone, singing his wealth of Beatles and solo hits for 90 minutes and please the faithful. But over the years his All Starr Band tours have become beloved for the diversity of rock and pop sounds, good vibes and camaraderie of the musicians who are like family.

Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band performing in
Costa Mesa on October 20, 2016.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

After opening with the Carl Perkins classic "Matchbox," Starr asked "Are you ready to have some fun? Are you ready for some good music?"

So while Starr was featured on classics such as the country-styled "What Goes On" and driving rocker "I Wanna Be Your Man" (both showcasing his early work with the Beatles), as well as "It Don't Come Easy" and "Photograph" (the latter two his most enduring solo career gems, both co-penned with Beatles guitarist George Harrison), it was downright cool to see Starr behind the kit as Todd Rundgren sang his wonderful 1972 hit "I Saw the Light" (which featured some shining tandem lead guitar work from Rundgren and Toto's Steve Lukather), a grooving take on Toto's "Africa" and downright hard rocking version of that band's "Hold the Line" and several Santana classics featuring that band's singer-keyboardist Gregg Rolie. The far-flung range of classics performed added to the festive and special spirit of the night.

Starr's keen sense of humor, well-known glowing personality and love of music of all kinds was showcased, particularly during a deeply affecting performance featuring Richard Page (of Mr. Mister fame), whose 2010 original "You Are Mine" allowed the ensemble to display how masterfully they could perform a song via lush and textured layers.

Among the Starr-focused songs that impressed were a wistful "Don't Pass Me By," bona fide sing-along "Yellow Submarine," affecting "You're Sixteen," and a celebration-filled closer "With a Little Help From My Friends" that segued into a bit of John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance."

It would be criminal to not mention drummer Gregg Bissonette and multi-instrumentalist/singer Warren Ham, whose collective contributions were as important as the five featured singers on the stage. A wonderful and memorable night that celebrated not only the most beloved drummer in rock, but the enduring spirit of peace, love and good music that Starr continues to cast in an uncertain world.

Robert Kinsler

Universal Music Enterprises announces Ringo Starr's March 31, 2015 LP release, 'Postcards From Paradise'

Photo credit: Rob Shanahan

Breaking news...

Los Angeles – January 29, 2015 - Universal Music Enterprises proudly announces Ringo Starr's 18^th studio release, POSTCARDS FROM PARADISE.  With 11 original tracks, the solo album is due out March 31, 2015 and is the first to include a song written and recorded by Ringo Starr and his current All Starr Band - Steve Lukather, Todd Rundgren, Gregg Rolie, Richard Page, Warren Ham and Gregg Bissonette. POSTCARDS FROM PARADISE was produced by Ringo and recorded at his home studio in Los Angeles and, as always, features friends and family. As Ringo often says, "If I am recording and you're in town and drop by, you're going to be on the record!"  The album’s guest artists include: Joe Walsh, Benmont Tench, Dave Stewart, Ann Marie Simpson, Richard Marx, Amy Keys, Peter Frampton, Nathan East, and Glen Ballard (among others, complete details and track by track to follow in coming weeks). 

 

Here is the POSTCARDS FROM PARADISE track list: 

1.      Rory And The Hurricanes

2.      You Bring The Party Down

3.      Bridges

4.      Postcards From Paradise

5.      Right Side Of The Road

6.      Not Looking Back

7.      Bamboula

8.      Island In The Sun

9.      Touch And Go

10.    Confirmation

11.    Let Love Lead

 

POSTCARDS FROM PARADISE will be released just after Ringo returns from the road with the All Starrs, who go back out on the road on February 13^th with dates in the U.S. and Latin America (see link to tour press release below).

 

On April 18, 2015 Ringo will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, where he will receive the Award for Musical Excellence.

 

Link to tour announcement:  http://ymlp313.net/z3pOCk

 

For more information please visit:  www.ringostarr.com

Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band rock Santa Barbara Bowl

Left To Right: Steve Lukather, Gregg Rolie, Ringo Starr, Todd Rundgren, Gregg Bisonette, Richard Page, Warren Ham.
Photo credit: Rob Shanahan

Singer/songwriter/actor/artist/peacemaker/rock 'n' roll ringmaster Ringo Starr (who also happens to be the world's most famous drummer) continues to spread magic everywhere he goes. On Saturday, July 12, on a beautiful night at the Santa Barbara Bowl lit by a bright full white moon, Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band entertained a capacity crowd of more than 4,500 fans of all ages who came to see the former Beatle and his illustrious six-man troupe revisit the past while fully celebrating the here and now.

Ringo Starr in action in Santa Barbara.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

To say the fast-moving two-hour concert offered something for everyone is an understatement. Starr was the obvious draw, armed with a number of enduring Beatles tracks (the timeless version of Carl Perkins' "Matchbox," the rollicking "I Wanna Be Your Man" and animated sing-along "Yellow Submarine") and his wonderful solo gems (classics such as "Photograph" and "It Don't Come Easy" as well as more recent "Wings" and "Anthem" off his Ringo 2012 collection). But to see Starr step back to simply become just another member of the band was fantastic too. Indeed, he had the chance to drum, play tambourine and box drum in support of hits played by other members of his ensemble, including guitarist Steve Lukather (of Toto fame), singer-keyboardist Gregg Rolie (a founding member of Santana), singer-guitarist Todd Rundgren and singer-bassist Richard Page (of Mr. Mister). Keyboardist-multi-instrumentalist Warren Ham and drummer Gregg Bisonette were an essential part of the music making throughout the night too.

Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band on July 12.
Photo: Kim Kinsler

One of the obvious strengths about Starr and this version of his All Starr Band is how the cast of talented players could effortlessly move from playing freewheeling rock 'n' roll (such as they did with the opening version of the Carl Perkins classic "Matchbox" or the Lennon and McCartney-penned "I Wanna Be Your Man" later in the show) to more textured material like a beautiful version of the Toto classic "Africa" or an insanely loose "Bang the Drum All Day." The audience was all in, able to sing along when the moment demanded ("Yellow Submarine" is one of the best sing-along songs ever), or to sit and take in the musical virtuoso jams (notably on the three classic Santana songs featuring Gregg Rolie on vocals and Lukather impressing big time with his stellar guitar work). What's more, the audience actually listened and seemed to take in a beautiful new song ("You Are Mine") featuring Page on lead vocals and acoustic guitar (Starr played some effective percussion seated at a box drum nearby). 

Every fan, including yours truly, likely found the best performances of the night were favorite songs. I'm a huge fan of many of Starr's songs, and hearing him perform "It Don't Come Easy" is always a thrill. His song "Wings" is terrific and soared this night. Following that up was a lush version of Rundgren's lovely "I Saw The Light."

Later in the set, Starr reflected with his distinctive wit on his first original composition and went to the piano to lead off a spirited version of the White Album gem "Don't Pass Me By." The memorable night ended with a powerful "With a Little Help From My Friends" that had everyone on their feet; that emotional high led into a night-closing version of the John Lennon-penned Plastic Ono Band anthem "Give Peace a Chance."

For those who still have not caught Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band this summer, the good news is the tour continues through the end of October. Click here to see his upcoming tour dates, including a date at the legendary Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday night, July 19.

Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band concert setlist at Santa Barbara Bowl (Saturday night, July 12, 2014) - all songs featured Ringo Starr unless otherwise indicated:
Matchbox (Carl Perkins cover) / It Don't Come Easy / Wings / I Saw The Light (featuring Todd Rundgren) / Evil Ways (featuring Gregg Rolie) / Rosanna (featuring Steve Lukather) / Kyrie (Mr. Mister cover featuring Richard Page) / Bang the Drum All Day (featuring Todd Rundgren) / Boys / Don't Pass Me By / Yellow Submarine / Black Magic Woman (Santana cut featuring Gregg Rolie) / Honey Don't (Carl Perkins cover) / Anthem / You Are Mine (a new Richard Page original) / Africa (Toto classic featuring Steve Lukather) / Oye Como Va (Santana classic featuring Gregg Rolie) / Love Is The Answer (Utopia classic featuring Todd Rundgren) / I Wanna Be Your Man / Broken Wings (Mr. Mister hit featuring Richard Page) / Hold The Line (Toto hit) / Photograph (classic Ringo Starr-George Harrison song) / Act Naturally (Buck Owens composition) / With a Little Help From My Friends / Give Peace a Chance (the Plastic Ono Band classic)

Ringo Starr kicks off North American Tour; adds additional dates in October

More news related to Ringo Starr's 2014 tour and upcoming birthday celebration...

RINGO’S JULY 7^TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION OF ‘PEACE & LOVE’ TO BE HELD IN L.A. IN FRONT OF THE CAPITAL RECORDS BUILDING

NEW RINGO STARR ARTWORK EXHIBITIONS OPENING IN NYC, ATLANTIC CITY AND CHICAGO

Left To Right: Steve Lukather, Gregg Rolie, Ringo Starr, Todd Rundgren, Gregg Bisonette, Richard Page, Warren Ham. PHOTO CREDIT: ROB SHANAHAN

June 5, 2014 - Rama ONT - Today Ringo Starr took a break from rehearsals with his All Starr Band (including Steve Lukather, Richard Page, Gregg Rolie, Todd Rundgren and Gregg Bissonette) to announce new tour dates and activity.

This incarnation of the All Starr band is the same line up he has played with since 2012, with the addition of Warren Ham, who will be given a warm All Starr welcome. Hamm will replace longtime All Starr Mark Rivera who is on tour with Billy Joel.

“I love playing with this band,” Ringo said, “and I can’t wait to get back out and play with them again.”

In addition to his music, Ringo Starr is also bringing his artwork to select cities. What started merely a diversion to pass the time, has since developed into an iconic collection of artwork. This year Ringo has created a unique set of 'self portraits' that truly showcases his evolution as a visual artist. June 19, 2014, there will be an opening VIP reception and exhibition of Ringo Starr’s art at Soho Contemporary Art Gallery  (www.sohocontemporaryart.com).   Ringo's art may also be seen at the Hard Rock Cafe in Chicago and Ocean Gallery in Stone Harbor , NJ. as well as online at www.RingoStarrArt.com

On July 7, Ringo will be celebrating his 74^th birthday in Los Angeles. He invites everyone, everywhere around the world to join him at Noon, their local time in a Peace & Love celebration. For those in LA, at Noon Ringo will join all those who choose to gather and share a Peace & Love moment in front of the Capital Records building.

On July 13 (8pm EST) AXS TV will premiere “RINGO STARR: A LIFETIME OF PEACE AND LOVE”  a once in a lifetime tribute concert event honoring Ringo by the David Lynch Foundation.  The show is packed with heartfelt moments & great performances from some of music's biggest & breaking artists including Joe Walsh, Ben Harper, Ben Folds,  Brendan Benson, Bettye LaVette, The Head & The Heart and Jesse Elliot and Lindsey McWilliams of  Ark Life; with an equally stellar backing band featuring Don Was, Benmont Tench, Peter Frampton, Steve Lukather and Kenny Arnoff. This unique collection of musicians all came together to celebrate one of music's greatest stars. The concert was shot on January 20, 2014 at the El Rey in Los Angeles and launched the Ringo Starr Peace & Love Fund, established as a division of the David Lynch Foundation (a 501c3 charity), to provide Transcendental Meditation instruction to tens of thousands of at-risk students in underserved schools, women who are survivors of domestic violence, and veterans with post-traumatic stress.  http://www. davidlynchfoundation.org/ peacelovefund/

RINGO STARR AND HIS ALL STARR BAND ON TOUR:

June:

June 6- Rama, ON - Casino Rama

June 7- Canandaigua, NY- CMAC

June 8- Williamsport, PA- Community Arts Theatre

June 10- Albany, NY- Palace Theater

June 11- Westbury, NY - Theatre at Westbury

June 12- Vienna, VA - Wolf Trap Filene Center

June 14- Wallingford, CT - Toyota Present Oakdale Theatre

June 15- Providence, RI - Performing Arts Center

June 17- New York, NY- Beacon Theatre

June 18- New York, NY- Beacon Theatre

June 20- Red Bank, NJ - Count Basie Theatre

June 21- Atlantic City, NJ - Caesars

June 22- Durham, NC - Durham Performing Arts Center

June 24- Buffalo (Lewiston), NY - ArtPark

June 25 Verona NY - Turning Stone Casino

June 27- Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre

June 28- Chicago, IL- Chicago Theatre

June 29- Cleveland, OH - Jacobs Pavillion

July:

July 1- Toledo, OH - Toledo Zoo

July 2- Kettering OH - Fraze Pavilion

July 3- Robinsonville, MS - Horseshoe Casino Tunica

July 5- Thatcherville, OK (Dallas, TX) - Winstar World Casino

July 9- Albuquerque, NM - Sandia Amphitheatre

July 11- San Diego, CA- Humphreys

July 12- Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara Bowl

July 13- San Jose CA -  City National Civic of San Jose

July 15- Vancouver BC - Hard Rock Casino

July 16- Woodenvile, WA (Seattle) – Chateau Ste Michelle

July 17- Bend, OR - Les Schwab Amphitheater

July 19- Los Angeles, CA- Greek Theatre

October:

Oct 2- Tulsa, OK- Hard Rock Café

Oct 3- St. Louis, MO- Fabulous Fox Theatre

Oct 4- Kansas City, KS- Starlight Theatre

Oct 5- Omaha, NE- CenturyLink Center

Oct 7- San Antonio, TX- Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

Oct 8- Austin, TX- Moody Theater

Oct 10- Houston, TX- Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Oct 15- Charleston- North Charleston Performing Arts Center

Oct 17- Biloxi- Hard Rock Café Biloxi

Oct 18- Jacksonville, FL- Moran Theatre

Oct 19- Ft. Myers, FL- Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall

Oct 21- Ft. Lauderdale- Broward Center for the Performing Arts

Oct 22- Melbourne, FL- Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts

Oct 23- Clearwater, FL- Ruth Eckerd Hall

Check local listings for on sale dates and for more information please visit:

www.ringostarr.com

Inbox Update: Ringo Starr's art to tour alongside his All Starr U.S. dates

With Ringo Starr's tour with his All Starr Band set to begin this week with dates in Niagara Falls, I thought there was no time better than now to share this timely item...

EXHIBITION OF RINGO STARR’S ART TO TOUR ALONGSIDE HIS UPCOMING 13th ALL STARR US TOUR THIS SUMMER



GALLERIES ON THE ART TOUR INCLUDE: LISS GALLERY IN TORONTO I BREWSTER IN PHILADELPHIA POP INTERNATIONAL GALLERIES IN NEW YORK CITY WITH EXHIBITS AT ADDITIONAL GALLERIES AND THE HARD ROCK CAFÉ IN SELECT CITIES TO BE ANNOUNCED

Ringo Starr is hitting the road this summer with his 13th All Starr Band, including Steve Lukather (Toto), Richard Page (Mr. Mister), Mark Rivera, Gregg Rolie (Santana) Todd Rundgren, and Gregg Bissonette. In addition, a collection of his art, composed by Starr electronically will make companion stops at galleries in select cities, launching alongside the Fallsview Casino at Liss Gallery of Toronto. He will also be returning to Soho’s Pop International Galleries in New York City, which is the gallery that held the first ever exhibition of his work on June 19, 2005.

Ringo began composing art on his computer in the late 90’s while on tour. “I love modern media, it is the way I do my art,” Starr said. “This year has been great. I designed something for Knot Violence: Imagine World Peace, and to support another great charity, WaterAid, I did a design for Timberland boots, and opened up this year’s Chelsea Garden show. And now we are doing Peace signs and as always, all my proceeds go to support the Lotus Foundation, the charity Barbara and I set up.”

Ringo also did an original design for the Hard Rock Signature Series T Shirt, which benefitted both the Lotus Foundation and Make A Wish. The Hard Rock have been very supportive and will feature select images of his work in their café’s during the tour, including the new series of Peace Signs, all depicted in his bright and colorful palette. The Peace signs are a fitting image for Ringo, who will celebrate his birthday with the now traditional moment of “Peace & Love”. This July 7 will see Starr with a crowd outside the Hard Rock in Nashville, Tennessee, encouraging everyone everywhere to join by saying, thinking or doing Peace & Love at Noon, your time. As Ringo said, all of his proceeds will go to benefit the Lotus US Foundation Charity. The objectives of the Foundation are to fund, support, participate in and promote charitable projects aimed at advancing social welfare in diverse areas including, but not limited to: substance abuse, cerebral palsy, brain tumors, cancer, battered women and their children, the homeless and animals in need.



More information is available at http://www.ringostarr.com/, http://www.ringostarrart.com/ and http://www.artcelebs.com/.

About ArtCelebs:


Neal Glaser of ArtCelebs first became aware of Ringo’s artwork in 1995 when he saw the Discover card which featured one of Ringo’s paintings. He was impressed by the “Abstract Face” which he found original and fun, and they have been in collaboration since. Celebrity Art is a company devoted to presenting the finest artwork available by the most "celebrated artists" of our time. A truly eclectic collection of fine art, Celebrity Art is known as a publishing, exhibiting and auction gallery. Celebrity Art is a company that is exciting and unique and recently CNN, Reuters, The New York Daily News, Investors Business Daily and Good Morning New York have all interviewed Mr. Glaser about his company.