Ringo's All-Starrs, 1999

Milton Moore in New London Day, 18 February 1999

Hats off to Milton Moore of The New London Day, who continues to champion Our Man when writing about the Ringo touring circus: see also here.

The Fab One
Ringo And His All-Starrs Play the Sun
By Milton Moore, Day Arts Editor

It’s been two years since Ringo Starr was the first Beatle to appear in New London County. He returns this weekend to the Mohegan Sun Events Center with his All-Starr Band, a similar line-up of rockers from the '60s and '70s, and the same Starr-powered appeal.

The band’s performance here in June '97 was a winner for all the right reasons.

Ringo’s easy-going, self-effacing persona is downright lovable, the Beatles’ songs are tops and the All-Starrs not only combine to make a first-rate band, they take turns fronting the group for their own hits.

This year’s band brings back bassist Jack Bruce, who last time sang three of Cream’s best, and keyboardist Gary Brooker, who flat-out stole the show with his matchless voice in three Procol Harum songs. Out of the mix this year is Peter Frampton, the grinning guitarist with the love/hate audience - you either love him or hate him.

Taking Frampton’s place is not one, but two guitarists of renown: Joe Walsh and Todd Rundgren.

Walsh founded James Gang and wrote such hits as Walk Away and Funk 49, and had a long solo career, capped off by his album The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get, before joining The Eagles. Rundgren burst onto the music scene as a guitarist/writer in the early '70s, with his solo record Runt, and has gone on to produce records and videos for the likes of Patti Smith, Cheap Trick and the Psychedelic Furs and has been an innovator in interactive software.

But despite the big names in the All-Starrs, it’s the one Starr who’s the big draw.

The atmosphere at Mohegan Sun last time was electric, as music fans of all ages packed the 1,400-seat hall to see a Beatle.

In concert Ringo sings the Beatle songs that were written for him, such as Act Naturally, Yellow Submarine and Boys, in addition to the singles from his solo career, including You’re Sixteen and It Don’t Come Easy.

The Voice, the grin and the slouchy shuffle are unmistakable, and Ringo is a true charmer.

But for this writer, who attended the first gig here, Brooker alone is worth the price of admission.

Thanks to Kerry Holloway for sending this in: he adds, 'We appear to have a friend at the newspaper. I plan to track him down and thank him, as well as introduce him to the web site and some fantastic music in the coming weeks. Unless the plans have changed, Joe Walsh is not with the band even though the advertising and article indicate he is. The writer doesn't seem to realize this.'

More Ringo / Gary dates