Show Review, Photos: Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band Let The Good Times Roll in San Jose
Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band
San Jose Civic
San Jose, CA
June 17, 2023
Review/Photos by Jared Stossel
I think it goes without saying that The Beatles may very well be the most influential band in rock and roll. Couple their music with a selection of songs from their iconic drummer Ringo Starr and members of acts like Toto and Men at Work and you get Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band. The exemplary drummer led an outstanding group of musicians through a fun two-hour set last night at the San Jose Civic, bringing an end to a run of Bay Area dates that kicked off last Sunday at San Francisco’s Masonic.
If you’re a Beatle, there really is no need for an opening act (Paul McCartney’s show last year in Oakland is a prime example of this). At 8:00, the peace-and-love drummer took the stage, microphone in hand, and dove headfirst into “Matchbox” (a Carl Perkins cover), his own material (“It Don’t Come Easy”) and a Beatles number (“What Goes On”). Starr performs these songs well when he is front and center, but he truly came alive when he got to step behind the quintessential Ludwig drum kit transfixed to the center of the stage. During these moments, Starr truly seemed to be having the time of his life, introducing and allowing his fellow band members to take the spotlight and shine.
The All-Starr Band is comprised of members from Toto (Steve Lukather), Average White Band (Hamish Stuart), and Men At Work (Colin Hay). For a majority of the show, Starr would pass the torch off to these musicians, allowing them to immerse the crowd in an amalgamation of rock hits that spanned the last several decades. Toto proved that their songs are just as anthemic as ever, with “Rosanna”, “Africa”, and “Hold The Line” inspiring some of the loudest sing-alongs of the evening. Hamish Stuart of Average White Band and Colin Hay of Men At Work brought forth some truly entertaining moments, while Edgar Winter always managed to bring the energy level up in the room every time he stepped out from behind the keyboards. A great example of this came during a truly rocking cover of Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode”, with fans dancing in their seats and singing the words right back at the stage, along with the Edgar Winter Group jam known as “Frankenstein”.
If you’re going to a Ringo Starr show and expecting nothing but Beatles songs, you may find yourself disappointed. But if you’re going to experience an excellent rock and roll show with good vibes and positive energy, you’re going to have a wonderful time. And don’t worry Beatles fans – you’ll still be treated to some rousing renditions of classics like “Yellow Submarine”, “Octopus’s Garden”, and a grand finale of “With A Little Help From My Friends”. Nothing but peace and love, indeed.
Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band Set List
Matchbox (Carl Perkins cover)
It Don’t Come Easy (Ringo Starr cover)
What Goes On (The Beatles cover)
Free Ride (The Edgar Winter Group cover)
Rosanna (Toto cover)
Pick Up The Pieces (Average White Band cover)
Down Under (Men at Work cover)
Boys (The Shirelles cover)
I’m The Greatest (Ringo Starr cover)
Yellow Submarine (The Beatles cover)
Set Without Ringo:
Cut The Cake (Average White Band cover)
Frankenstein (The Edgar Winter Group cover)
Octopus’s Garden (The Beatles cover)
Back Off Boogaloo (Ringo Starr cover)
Overkill (Men at Work cover)
Africa (Toto cover)
Work To Do (The Isley Brothers cover)
I Wanna Be Your Man (The Beatles cover)
Johnny B. Goode (Chuck Berry cover)
Who Can It Be Now? (Men At Work cover)
Hold The Line (Toto cover)
Photograph (Ringo Starr cover)
Act Naturally (Johnny Russell cover)
With A Little Help From My Friends (The Beatles cover)
