Ringo Debuts with the All-Star Band at Coachman Park’s The Sound in Clearwater!

Ringo, the fun Beatle, played for the first time at The Sound, and he said, “I really, really like this new venue!”  Of course, the Florida humidity welcomed the All-Stars in its sticky fashion, but they didn’t care, they came to rock, and did they ever! The band is: Steve Lukather from Toto, Colin Hay from Men At Work, or as he put it, “I am the only man left working”, which got a good laugh from the sold-out crowd.  The incomparable Edgar Winter is along with on his “Free Ride.”  Percussionist Warren Ham is such a great sax player among numerous instruments he works all night long.  Hamish Stuart is an original member of the Average White Band and is playing bass for Ringo on this tour, and drum BEAST Greg Bissonett is working the kits with Ringo.

The setlist is an homage to The Beatles, the 80’s, blues, jazz, and every genre you can think of.  Opening with a cover of Carl Perkin’s 1957 “Matchbox” rocker shows the range and eras played by these pros. One of my fav tunes that I grew up listening to, “It Don’t Come Easy,” sounds just like 1971! In fact, everyone sounds good vocally on all the songs.  Colin Hay on “Overkill” and “Down Under” takes you back to those days when MTV played videos, and his voice hasn’t aged since 1983! Hamish Stuart brings the R&B and jazz-funk with AWB’s, “Pick Up the Pieces and the Isley Brothers’ “Work to Do,” which had people dancin’ in the aisles.  Ringo sang a tune written by the late John Lennon, which he gave to Ringo to record, tongue-in-cheek, “I’m the Greatest.” 

Time for Ringo to take a break and change, so Edgar Winter and the band took over to perform the monster hit “Frankenstein”! This is worth the price of admission! Twelve minutes of pure musicianship from everyone.  The medley by drummer Bissonett of Beatles to the Stones tunes was brilliant. Edgar and his brother Johnny are the two most gifted musicians. Edgar performed a tribute to the late Johnny with a rousing version of “Johnny B Good.” Steve Lukather is one of the best guitarists around, and he took us on a trip to Toto’s “Africa” with Colin Hay singing along. The entire audience was out of their seats. The 80’s music nostalgia is bigger than ever, and this band has perfected it.

The Starr here no doubt is Ringo. One of the only two remaining Beatles and at 83, shows no signs of slowing down.  He takes the stage as lead vocalist and does drummer duty as well.   He spreads his message of love and peace and reminds us of another time and place. “Octopus’ Garden,” “Yellow Submarine,” and “I Wanna Be Your Man” take us to those happy days of the “Fab Four.”  Closing out the show with the iconic “With a Little Help from My Friends” & “Give Peace a Chance,” you leave a Ringo show feeling great and wanting more! Check out tour dates at Ringo Starr.

Vicky Sullivan Photos