This epic Beatle brought his motto and Peace and Love message to Austin’s ACL Live at a time when we need it most. Ringo (77) personally looks fitter than ever and lives a healthy lifestyle to support continuing to do what he loves, touring. Ringo told people magazine recently “The playing is what it’s all about. That’s why I’m touring, that’s why I make records. That’s why I play with a lot of the people who ask me. I just love to play. I’m in a profession and a position where I can just play for as long as I can. As long as I can hold the sticks! That’s what it’s all about.”

This is the 12th Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band tour which began in 1989 and this one has been his longest stable group. The band features multi-instrumentalist Todd Rundgren, guitarist Steve Lukather (Toto), singer Richard Page (Mr. Mister), keyboardist Gregg Rolie (Santana), and drummer Gregg Bissonette. This supergroup has had members changing often and includes John Mayer, Joe Walsh, (both currently on their own tours) and others.

See our full Photo Gallery from ACL Live in Austin, Texas.

Dressed in his standard stylish all-black ensemble of fine, fun hipster skinny pants, embellished skull t-shirt, shiny jacket, glasses, earring and cool shoes. On an extra special Halloween-night concert, we were entertained by fun costumes in the first song, “Matchbox”. The night not only included memorable sing-along Beatles songs like “Yellow Submarine”, “Photograph” and “I Wanna Be Your Man” but successful hit songs from all the other bands including : “Rosanna”, “Bang the Drum All Day”, and “Black Magic Woman”. Although a few audience members might have been slightly disappointed and didn’t understand they would not be hearing a complete list of only Beatles songs during the set, the night was memorable. He created an intimate mood by talking directly to several fans and bringing up kids on stage during the night.

The set was filled with fun Halloween decor, lights and cool videos. although at times super quirky (he co-wrote many of the silly songs for The Beatles), he also references political injustice through his videos of war. Ringo is incredibly generous on stage allowing the spotlight for his supergroup band mates all throughout the show. Ringo started the set by singing at the mic for three songs, then later rotated from the drum-set, to the keyboard, to the mic. He often shared stories from Beatles times and joking, “I wrote many songs, but this one we recorded!” Even today, he says things like ‘far out’ that bring us right back to the 60’s. He fulfilled his goal of bringing the mood up in all the venues he plays. There’s no shortage of screaming girls, even today, and various references to his ego which we forgive instantly.

For some interesting Texas-worthy notes, according to ultimateclassicrock.com, Ringo (then Starkey) originally played with the band Raving Texans, a backing band for local singer Rory Storm that evolved into the Hurricanes. It’s been said, Starr has always had a love of country music.

Ringo’s solo career has been one of the longest successful runs, since the 1970’s. Long overdue in 2015, Starr was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The only thing that could top this show, is seeing him play together on stage with Sir Paul McCartney. Fingers crossed.

ACL Setlist

Matchbox
(Carl Perkins cover)
Play Video
It Don’t Come Easy
(Ringo Starr song)
Play Video
What Goes On
(The Beatles cover)
Play Video
I Saw the Light
(Todd Rundgren cover)
Play Video
Evil Ways
(Willie Bobo cover)
Play Video
Rosanna
(Toto cover)
Play Video
Kyrie
(Mr. Mister cover)
Play Video
Bang the Drum All Day
(Todd Rundgren cover)
Play Video
Boys
(The Shirelles cover)
Play Video
Don’t Pass Me By
(The Beatles cover)
Play Video
Yellow Submarine
(The Beatles cover)
Play Video
Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen
(Santana cover)
Play Video
You’re Sixteen
(Johnny Burnette cover)
Play Video
Back Off Boogaloo
(Ringo Starr song)
Play Video
You Are Mine
(Richard Page cover)
Play Video
Africa
(Toto cover)
Play Video
Oye como va
(Tito Puente cover)
Play Video
I Wanna Be Your Man
(The Beatles cover)
Play Video
Love Is the Answer
(Utopia cover)
Play Video
Broken Wings
(Mr. Mister cover)
Play Video
Hold the Line
(Toto cover)
Play Video
Photograph
(Ringo Starr song)
Play Video
Act Naturally
(Buck Owens cover)
Play Video
With a Little Help From My Friends
(The Beatles cover) (with “Give Peace a Chance”… more )

#peaceandlove