Ringleader

It don’t come easy, but this ex-Beatle sure makes it look that way

Say you’re an 85-year-old drummer, who was once part of the most iconic group in music history. You don’t want to tour as a nostalgia act performing songs your legendary bandmates wrote 60 years ago, and your own catalogue of hits is pretty thin.

So if you’re Richard Starkey, you do what you’ve always done best: Bring people together, create a fun atmosphere, and get by with a little help from your friends.

I was lucky to be under the stars at L.A.’s Greek Theatre last Sunday, when Ringo Starr & his All-Starr Band wrapped up their recent, three-week tour of the Southwest by playing what looked like a sold-out show.

Even luckier, I went as the pre-Fathers Day guest of my daughter, who knew I’d previously seen separate McCartney and Harrison shows and still wanted to catch my third ex-Beatle in concert.

He didn’t disappoint either of us.

Ringo’s been touring off and on with various groups of All-Starrs for 47 years. While none of his bands matched the original 1989 incarnation (Joe Walsh, Billy Preston, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Nils Lofgren, Dr. John and Clarence Clemons), they were all made up of top-notch technicians, equally comfortable taking the spotlight or fading back in support of the team.

The latest bunch came from groups as different as Toto, Men at Work and the Average White Band. Most had one major trait in common with their bandleader: They had achieved success as part of a group and were comfortable alternating between the spotlight and a supporting role.

Ringo designed the show to let each sideman take the lead on two or three of their groups’ well known songs. As headliner, he handled lead vocals on a dozen or so hits from the Beatles and his own solo career, including highlights like “It Don’t Come Easy,” “Yellow Submarine,” “Photograph,” “Act Naturally” and “With a Little Help From My Friends.”

With the Beatles, Ringo was rarely, if ever, center-stage, but his winning personality, first-rate timing and tasteful fills made him an integral part of the group. In the different All-Starr iterations, he always includes a flashy, power-drummer to drive the rhythm when the star All-Starr is up front doing vocals.

This time, his counterpart on the skins was Gregg Bissonette who, unlike most of the others, isn’t identified with a particular band but is known for his session work. He’s been a world-class drummer across rock and pop, big bands, jazz ensembles, even playing musical interludes for years on the TV show, Friends.

It was interesting to see the contrast in their styles, never more apparent than when Ringo left the stage for a short break and Bissonette played a long solo, beginning with what was, ironically, the missing bandleader’s most recognizable fill — the opening beats to Abbey Road and “Come Together.” From there he dazzlingly launched into a series of rock grooves, calling to mind the rhythm behind everyone from Led Zeppelin to David Lee Roth and Aerosmith.

When Ringo returned, he took center-stage and, for the first time, introduced each band member by name, accidentally leaving out Bissonette, whose phenomenal solo we had just heard. After an off-mic prompt from former Toto guitar whiz Steve Lukather, he amended the oversight and moved on.

Except for that one flub, he put on a great show. His energy was good, and weeks before his 86th birthday, his voice was still strong within his limited range. He kept things tight and wrapped up without an encore in less than two hours.

At that pace, he spent little time telling stories, and never spoke the name “Beatles” all night, but he did refer to them when he introduced the song, “Boys,” by saying, “Here’s one from that old band I used to play in that you all loved so much.”

He also called out John — no last name — for writing “I’m the Greatest” for Ringo’s self-titled, 1973 hit solo album..

His other notable comment came when he introduced one number as the reason he was there to entertain us. He was referring to the “No No Song,” a light-hearted ditty by Hoyt Axton/David Jackson about giving up drugs and alcohol, which Ringo had a big problem with before getting sober and making that song a big hit in the mid-’70s.

Watching him at 85, surrounded by friends, family and fellow musicians, I was reminded that the best parts of life are often collaborative.

This Sunday, the actual Father’s Day, I’ll again be celebrating, going to see Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day with my wife and son and maybe my daughter if she can get free. If you’re lucky enough to have a father or to be one, I hope you’ll enjoy the holiday too.

And remember, we all get by with a little help from our friends, So click one of those buttons, subscribe before you go, and I’ll try not to sing out of key.