Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band played at the Bellco Theater in downtown Denver, Colorado, on June 6, 2023. For those who may remember, it’s been nearly 50 years since the Beatles played their first show in America, and yet Ringo is still going strong, albeit with a bit of a crutch from his All Starr Band. If you’re expecting or wanting to see Ringo in the future, keep in mind that you won’t be attending a Beatles concert. This was one key mindset I had going into the concert that I learned I had to quickly change.
With no opening act, Ringo started off the show by running on stage in a star spangled jacket and with the energy of someone half his age. His passion and kick for presenting folks with an entertaining show are ones that have clearly stuck with him. He introduced himself as well as his motto of peace and love. The opening song was a cover of a Carl Perkins and rock n’ roll classic, “Matchbox”. Ringo played some crowd pleasers early in the set with “It Don’t Come Easy” from his solo career and “What Goes On”, a Beatles track.
Ringo’s All Starr Band is a well seasoned group of rock n’ roll veterans such as Edgar Winter from The Edgar Winter Group, Colin Hay from Men at Work, James Hamish Stuart from Average White Band, and Steve Lukather from Toto. One thing to carefully remember is that Ringo may be the frontman, but he is not the only star of the show. The setlist following, “What Goes On”, was a collection of his band members greatest hits. Some of the hits played by his supporting act were “Free Ride,” “Rosanna,” and “Down Under”. The tunes were great hits, but they veered away from Ringo in the spotlight, which some may not appreciate for what they paid for. Others may really enjoy the smash songs. Ringo was also sure to throw in some funny jokes in between songs to keep things lively.
Things quickly got back on track with Ringo performing two more Beatles songs, “Boys” and “Yellow Submarine”. The rest of the evening moved back and forth between Ringo and his All Starr Band, playing hits from each of their respective careers. Some notable songs played were “Africa” and “Hold the Line,” both popular Toto songs. As for songs released by the Fab Four, Ringo did play “Octopus’s Garden,” “I Wanna Be Your Man,” and “Act Naturally”. Ringo also took a mid show break but returned with a flashy new outfit.
The final, concluding song of the evening was perhaps the best of the night. After an evening filled with great music from rock icons, the last performance was one of Ringo’s best songs of his career. “With a Little Help From My Friends” was the cherry on top for the show. Ringo was able to bring an exciting and energetic ending to his show, bringing that spotlight back on him in full force. The entire Bellco Theater felt like it could have exploded from the energy and pressure in the room from the crowd.