Review: Ringo Starr a convincing master drummer
Fifty-one years after the Beatles took this country by storm, the percussive jury is still out on drummer Ringo Starr. Was he merely the fourth Beatle with a modicum of talent who sang a novelty number or two, or did he contribute something of substance t
Fifty-one years after the Beatles took this country by storm, the percussive jury is still out on drummer Ringo Starr. Was he merely the fourth Beatle with a modicum of talent who sang a novelty number or two, or did he contribute something of substance to pop music? From a drummer's view, he was the Beatles' perfect drummer. He had solid time and revolutionized rock drumming with loose, elasticized fills that were remarkably inventive, to say nothing of how he revolutionized the actual sound of rock drums. And at 75, he's better than ever, as he proved at Friday's sold-out show at the Tower Theater, with his All-Starr Band.
Though he doesn't have the drawing power of Paul McCartney, Starr sells out smaller venues such as the Tower regularly with the rotating All-Starrs, who have been touring off and on since 1989.
The concept of the show - and it's a darn good show - is unique: Hire big-name, virtuoso rock veterans and let them perform their greatest hits. Starr, of course, gets in his "greatest hits" singing and playing licks throughout, with help from a second drummer, this year the incredible Gregg Bissonette, onetime percussionist with Maynard Ferguson, David Lee Roth, and others.
This touring lineup is a strong one, comprising hometown favorite - and outrageously costumed - Todd Rundgren, singer/bassist Richard Page from Mr. Mister, Toto guitarist Steve Lukather, saxophonist/session man Warren Ham, and keyboardist Gregg Rolie of Santana and Journey fame.
Starr, spry, fit, and energetic, opened the show with "Matchbox," the Beatles' cover of the 1956 Carl Perkins blues hit. His vocals are stronger than remembered and, not surprisingly, he's a terrific front man. Other Starr hits included "It Don't Come Easy," "Yellow Submarine," a new item written for this version of the All-Starrs called "Just Remembered," "You're Sixteen," "The Greatest" and "I Wanna Be Your Man." The last was something to hear, sung by Starr while behind the drums. He demonstrated to doubters that he has percussion technique to spare, but picks his spots and applies it carefully and intelligently.
Other highlights: Rundgren's "Hello It's Me," Rolie's "Evil Ways," "Black Magic Woman" and Santana's cover of Tito Puente's "Oye Como Va"; Page's "Broken Wings"; and Lukather's "Rosanna," featuring Starr's Krupa-like tom-tomming, which proved that he's listened to the drum legends. The only drum feature per se was Bissonette's fabulous solo on "Black Magic Woman," performed with Starr appropriately off stage. If only he would solo someday.
All involved seemed to be having a fine time, and Bissonette, in particular, beamed throughout. As he told me before the show, "You have no idea how amazing it is to play alongside your favorite drummer." If rock and roll could swing, this is what it would sound like.
