LIVE: Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band at the F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre, PA (6/14/16)
As the house lights dim in the F.M. Kirby Center, six silhouettes step onto the stage one after the other and take their places behind their instruments. One of the dark guitar-slung figures toes the edge of the stage and throws up two peace signs, sending the crowd into a giddy frenzy of hoots and hollers; Todd Rundgren has roused the crowd without even playing a note. Joining Todd tonight are Gregg Rolie (of Santana), Steve Lukather (of Toto), Richard Page (of Mr. Mister), Warren Ham, and Gregg Bissonette. Together they create a supergroup more enthusiastic and buoyant than any other: the ever-legendary All-Starr Band, a patchwork ensemble made up of rock ‘n’ rollers who feel more like the guys next door than they do esteemed artists.
The atmosphere already has the youthful excitement of a circus. At this point, the only thing missing is the ring(o)leader — but not for long. Moments later another peace sign-wielding shadow rushes onto the stage; Ringo Starr runs out to greet the crowd with the vigor and vibrance of someone 50 years younger than his 75-year-old self. Everything is suddenly illuminated by multicolored lights that project a flurry of flashing, spinning stars onto the intimate theater’s walls.
For a few hours, the audience is encapsulated in a fantastical musical galaxy, captivated by the talents of the performers and the memories that flood back with every hit song. Ringo opens the show with an energetic rendition of the jaunty “Matchbox,” a Carl Perkins cover he recorded with the Beatles back in 1964. “It Don’t Come Easy” comes next (complete with Ringo waving his signature peace signs about when singing “please, remember peace is how we make it”), followed by the Beatles’ “What Goes On.” Starr jokes that although that song was credited to Lennon–McCartney/Starkey, “we all know it should have been the other way ’round.”
When the song ends, Ringo passes the metaphorical baton. “This is the All-Starr band. Everyone’s a star in their own right,” he says, “and the first star that’s gonna shine bright this evening is Todd Rundgren.” Without missing a beat, Rundgren jumps into his 1972 hit “I Saw the Light.” Enhanced by robust backing vocals provided by the rest of the band, the song sounds as if the album version leapt off the LP and into the room.
After Todd comes an electrifying performance of Santana’s “Evil Ways,” featuring vocals and a keyboard solo from Gregg Rolie. Steve Lukather then takes over with Toto’s foot-stomping classic “Rosanna,” sending everybody back to 1982 (even those who weren’t yet alive in 1982). A stunning rendition of “Kyrie” by Mr. Mister comes next, with Richard Page’s smooth-as-silk voice gliding effortlessly over the instrumentation. This then becomes the pattern: a few songs by Ringo, followed by one by Rundgren, Rolie, Lukather, and Page, respectively.
People get on their feet and groove to almost every song, belting the choruses with the same gusto as the musicians on the stage. And it isn’t hard to see why: the setlist is chockfull of radio-friendly hits from the ’70s and ’80s, like Toto’s “Africa” and Mr. Mister’s “Broken Wings.” There’s never a dull moment at an All-Starr show because, as Ringo pointed out, everybody onstage is a star in his own right.
But the show’s not only enjoyable because of its star power. Chemistry and camaraderie are abundant among the players — and it’s infectious. Audience member and musician become one equal entity; you feel like you’re watching friends you’ve known for years up there, shredding away on their instruments and harmonizing effortlessly. You almost feel proud, as though you’ve personally been beside them as they’ve grown and progressed. It’s a youthful reunion, a homecoming, a get-together where you and your buddies listen to the songs of your past and reminisce.
As peace signs ushered in the night, so too do they end it: the band finishes the show with “Give Peace a Chance” (which, coming two days after the massacre in Orlando, was incredibly poignant) while the projected stars’ points round out and morph into peace symbols. A sea of peace signs flood the audience as every member puts their hands up, led by Ringo and company. In this moment, everyone is equal. Everyone is appreciating each other’s talents. Everyone knows deep down that they’ve been in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania this whole time, but they still feel as though they’ve been a million miles away for a few perfect moments. When they sing “all we are saying is give peace a chance,” I believe them.
For a full list of Ringo Starr & the All-Starr Band’s tour dates, visit Starr’s website.
