Ringo's All-Starr Party

Last Friday, Mary Kit and I along with our good friends Ken and Vicki Forman and Paul and Jane Hobbs saw Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band at the Vina Robles Amphitheater in Paso Robles. MK scored the best seats she and I have ever had at a concert, second row, middle of the stage. I couldn't believe this gift when Ringo and the band came out. I was standing dead center 10 yards from a Beatle looking right at me, singing Matchbox. This was bucketlist fun and quickly realized it was going to be the best music party I'd ever experienced, surrounded by a bunch of like-minded boomers rocking out! All the pictures here were taken from my cell phone and I have to say, Ringo was so gracious and even leaned into many pictures being taken by people close to the stage. This was his party and he was going to make everyone feel the love.

If you have time, look at the first link above as it lists all the All-Starr Band lineups Ringo has put together since the first group of super musicians in 1989.  The current list of band members have been together since 2012 and include:

• Ringo Starr – drums, keyboards, percussion, vocals
• Steve Lukather (Toto) – vocals, guitar
• Gregg Rolie (Santana and Journey) – organ, keyboards, vocals
• Todd Rundgren (Nazz, Utopia and The New Cars) – guitar, harmonica, bass, percussion, keyboards (only shows featuring "Love Is the Answer"), vocals
• Richard Page (Mr. Mister) – bass, acoustic guitar, vocals
• Warren Ham (Bloodrock, Kansas, and AD) – vocals, saxophone, harmonica, flute, percussion, keyboards 
• Gregg Bissonette – drums, percussion, vocals

If you are unfamiliar with the band's format, Ringo sings about a third of the time throughout the show and lets his other rock star mates play their hits. Here is the Setlist with live YouTube video clips of the songs from the band's various tour shows that you will enjoy watching.

I knew Todd Rundgren was in the band and was very excited to see him for the first time live. Todd is one of the great rock 'n' rock characters and was a fun showman playing his hits from the

70's and running all over the stage much of the night.

I was totally surprised that we were also going to a mini Santana concert with Gregg Rolie who was the lead singer and organ player in Santana. Rolie's voice and organ playing was fantastic.


I was equally taken by Richard Page who was the lead vocalist for Mr. Mister. Page is an excellent singer along with his strong bass playing. I loved his bass on Todd's song,  Bang on the Drum All Day. I have to admit I was never a Toto fan but enjoyed Steve Lukather's lead guitar on all the band's songs including his Toto songs that greatly amped up the whole party atmosphere. And yes, I was actually dancing and singing along to Toto songs, it was that fun with everyone having a blast.

Ringo really knows what he is doing here. All of these musicians are great pros and you already know he has a knack for surrounding himself with talent. Ringo is forever a Beatle, keeping time and being timeless. At 75 he is in great shape, relaxed, happy and loved by everyone. Mr. Peace and Love is a class act and knows how to send everybody home with a huge smile on their face.
We love you Ringo!