photo by Dan Savoie All you need is love, and a ticket to see Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band! The legendary Beatles drummer brought his troupe of talented musicians to the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino on Sunday night, delivering a feel-good performance that had the multigenerational audience singing and swaying along to a setlist packed with classic hits.
Starr, currently in the midst of a fall tour that kicked off in May and concludes on Sept. 25 in New York, has been delighting fans with his revolving lineup of All-Starrs since 1989. The concept of combining the iconic Beatle with a diverse cast of accomplished artists, each armed with their own arsenal of chart-toppers, continues to prove a winning formula.
This iteration of the All-Starr Band boasts an impressive roster: Colin Hay (Men at Work), Steve Lukather (Toto), Warren Ham (Kansas), Hamish Stuart (Average White Band), Gregg Bissonette (David Lee Roth), and Buck Johnson (Aerosmith).
The 19-song, 100+ minute extravaganza drew a crowd spanning generations, all eager to join voices with Starr on Beatles treasures like “Yellow Submarine” and “Octopus’s Garden,” solo successes such as “It Don’t Come Easy” and “Photograph,” and an array of instantly recognizable hits from the band members.
At 84, Starr remains a captivating presence, his charisma and wit radiating as he alternated between vocals and his signature Ludwig drum kit. Clad in rock-star glitter with a shiny British flag printed peace sign emblazoned on his shirt, the diminutive figure danced and darted about the stage, defying his years.
The evening launched with a rollicking rendition of Carl Perkins’ “Matchbox,” but soon settled into Starr’s own “It Don’t Come Easy.” He commanded the stage for the bulk of the show, only retreating briefly to “have a cup of tea.”
2024 519 Magazine While it’s undeniably thrilling to witness a Beatle performing Beatles songs, the true magic of these All Starr Band shows lies in their accessibility. Several standout moments came courtesy of its members.
Hay, known for his quick wit, helmed a robust “Overkill,” punctuated by a nimble tenor sax and Hay’s own triumphant navigation of the song’s key change. Later, a guitar-driven “Who Can It Be Now?” kept the already-standing crowd on their feet, heartily belting along.
Lukather, whose guitar prowess graces over 1,500 recordings, unleashed his six-string mastery throughout the night. High points included Toto’s “Africa,” “Rosanna,” and “Hold the Line,” all engaging renditions spotlighting Ham’s deft touch on various instruments and Lukather’s electrifying solos.
The ace musicians also flaunted their versatility through a serpentine jam on Stuart’s Average White Band classic “Cut the Cake” and, with Bissonette at the fore, a medley of rock classics, deftly weaving drum fills from “Golden Slumbers”/”Carry That Weight”/”The End” with Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher.” He showed us that drums really are the heartbeat of rock and roll.
Starr’s own material bookended the show, “Photograph” and the anthem “With a Little Help From My Friends” performed against a backdrop of giant yellow flowers dancing on the screen.
The crowd’s enthusiastic participation during “With a Little Help From My Friends” was rivaled only by the band’s visible delight in delivering this sweet nugget, embodying its message of unity.
As the night drew to a close, Starr and his All-Starr Band treated the audience to a poignant chorus from John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance,” an apt reminder of the enduring power of music to inspire and unite. With peace, love, and a little help from his mega-talented friends, Ringo Starr continues to bring the joy of live performance to adoring fans, one hit at a time.
2024 519 Magazine More photos to come.
