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Seeing Ringo Starr in concert comes with expectations.
The jovial former Beatle is one of the most famous human beings on the planet and his drumming contributed to countless all-timer 20th century anthems, ballads and oddities. To catch him live is to spend the whole night wondering “will he sing my favorite song?” “is he going to talk about John, Paul and George?” “what will he close with?”
So, when we entered Radio City Music Hall for his June 13 show, The New York Post drew up a “Ringo Bingo Card” (trademark pending).
Here’s what we guessed would go down over the next hour or two:
| “Yellow Submarine” | “Hard Day’s Night” clip | Peace signs |
| Reference to being knighted | “With A Little Help From My Friends” closer | Beatles joke |
| Surprise Paul appearance | Drumming | “Octopus’ Garden” |
Yet, as always, the shockingly youthful 84-year-old Rock Hall of Famer — did you know he turns 85 on July 7?! — surprised.
For instance, we learned that he performs with an All Starr Band comprised of a hodgepodge of classic rockers from Toto, Men At Work, The Average White Band and more.
And, most shockingly of all, he still sings and drums like it’s 1967.
So, to give you an idea of what actually went down at Ringo’s live show, here’s a full recap of the rockin’, bucket list of an evening at Radio City.
We hope you will enjoy the show (spoiler: he didn’t play that “Sgt. Pepper’s” song).
At 8 p.m.
the mostly older crowd was seated. Baby Boomers nursed pricey beverages. Younger, less punctual crowd members, such as myself, shuffled into our seats. Spirits were high. A Beatle was in the building.
Moments later, the octogenarian ran onstage flashing his signature peace sign. The run was not on our “Ringo Bingo Card” (although the peace symbol was!). Donning his trademark sunglasses and looking more 45 than 85, the wily drummer-turned-frontman jogged into place — not exactly at a Mick Jagger-like pace but certainly speedy for someone who spent most of their career seated at a drum kit and happens to be in their mid-80s — and his dutiful band followed suit.
They were Colin Hay of Men At Work, Steve Lukather of Toto, Average White Band’s Hamish Stuart, ELO’s Gregg Bissonette, Kansas’ Warren Ham and Aerosmith’s Buck Johnson.
The seven of them launched into a jaunty rendition of The Beatles’ “Honey Don’t” from the group’s 1964 “Beatles For Sale.” It was a bit of an obscure choice to start the show but chronologically made sense. The bluesy number, accompanied by Ringo bassy vocals that sounded just like they did in the ’64 studio version, served as a nice lead-in for what would be a relaxed evening full of comfort food rock and roll pleasing to both the ear and soul.
Once he got through the harmless, little ditty, the requisite showman addressed the crowd and asked “who had tickets to last year’s cancelled show?” The crowd roared.
With that, the groovy good time continued with the muscly 1973 radio staple “It’ Don’t Come Easy.” Although we’d only ticked a single box on our “Ringo Bingo Card” this saxy, tambourine ditty was more than welcome, and, for our money, maybe be the best single from Ringo’s half-century long solo career.
Time to take a seat
As the final “It Don’t Come Easy” strings sounded, the Liverpudlian wonder took a seat behind his drums and let the “All Starrs” take over. Like George Harrison in the Traveling Wilburys, this supergroup is full of frontmen that can take the reins and headline the show on their own at the drop of a hat.
Up first was Lukather, who took us back to 1982 with the singalong “Rosanna,” which had an epic sax solo built in. From there, the seven grandpas All Starr Band brought us along on a lively hit parade.
Hamish Stuart took center stage next and delivered the truly funky “Pick Up The Pieces” that had the crowd take their toe-tapping to the next level. Some audience members didn’t appreciate this — one person in my section yelled “sit down” at my entire row — but that didn’t let us ruin our fun.
Ringo absolutely owning his drum solo was icing on the cake.
The “non-Ringo” portion of the evening concluded with Colin Hay. Radio City took a seat and the Aussie regaled us with vaudevillian one-liners about how he doesn’t get recognized on the street and spends his days waiting in line for medication…even though he’s a Grammy winner.
And then he effortlessly worked his way into a perfect version of the endlessly catchy “Down Under” complete with yet another hook-y sax solo and a call-and-response for a crowd that couldn’t wait to belt along with him.
Hey, there’s Ringo
After that brief respite, the former Fab Four member returned to the spotlight and handled a perfectly serviceable cover of The Shirelles’ “Boys.” Starr followed it up with John Lennon’s self-referential “I’m The Greatest,” a song that always sounded like Lennon was channeling Starr (Ringo did say “John wrote ‘I Am The Greatest’ and couldn’t handle it but I could”). Not a highlight but a nice moment that was not on our Bingo Card.
Once the song wrapped, we finally got ourselves a Ringo Bingo Card moment when Starr pretended to play “Yesterday,” “Day Tripper” and “I Saw Her Standing There.” The crowd cheered, not knowing this was a bit. Of course, the trickster cut things short and opted to play one of his own tunes.
That tune was the chills-inducing “Yellow Submarine.” Starr sounded better and more assured here than anywhere else over the course of the night. We were on a roll. Plus, that track knocked off our second box on the unofficial Ringo Bingo Card.
Bye, Ringo
Being 84 and touring can’t be easy. Ringo — who has been performing for over 60 years — knows this better than anyone and is capable of pacing himself.
So, he informed the crowd he was going to “grab a cup of tea backstage” and passed the show off to Hamish Stuart once again. He exploded into the crowd-pleasing Average White Band banger “Cut The Cake” that segued into an impressive medley, which included drum snippets of Sly and the Family Stone’s “Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again” (classy touch), Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” The Beatles’ “Come Together,” Grand Funk Railroad‘s “We’re An American Band” and Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song.” This was rock and roll nirvana capped off with a go for broke drum solo to end it all. Quite a neat trick — like watching someone play “Rock Band” on beyond expert level.
What do you know, Ringo’s back
As the excitable audience rose to our feet to pay our respects to Buck Johnson who pulled off the impressive percussive feat, Ringo strolled back onstage and treated us to a second consecutive nautical tune: “Octopus’ Garden.” Oh, that wall of sound harmonizing that kicks in toward the end. If you’re a Beatles fan, it must be witnessed live. My hair is standing on end days later typing this review thinking about how powerful the band sounded in person.
In case you missed it, Ringo released a country record this past January. To pay homage to his 21st studio album, he played just one song, the plaintive “Look Up,” which started slow before picking up halfway through and leading to the strummy 1974 yacht rocker “No No Song.” It’s a cute trifle but also made me realize something.
Did Ringo’s staccato vocals pave the way for David Byrne, DEVO, The B-52s and LCD Soundsystem?
Before letting my mind wander too long, Colin Hay brought me back into the present with with his sensual “Overkill” off 1983’s “Cargo.” I can’t speak for everyone in the building but my section was fully invested for this mini Men at Work greatest hits concert folded into a Ringo show.
Immediately after, it was Lukather’s turn to do his thing again and, like Ringo, pranked us before leading into “Africa” by dropping an intentionally horrible melody-free “experimental jazz” song. Oddly enough, the ironic fan favorite didn’t get the roar it deserved. Neither did the spot-on cover of The Isley Brothers‘ “Work To Do” led by Hamish Stuart.
Just as it seemed the crowd was slowing — whole swaths of sections were staying seated — Ringo brought us back with 1963’s skiffle-y “I Wanna Be Your Man.” It won’t make the show’s “best of” but was certainly a good time. Then, Hay kept folks on their feet with the timeless, slinky “Who Can It Be Now.” Try listening to that one and get it out of your head. It’s impossible.
Toto became the main event once more right after and dropped the always welcome “Hold The Line.” This night really was like if classic rock radio came to technicolor life by multi-instrumentalist and vocalist virtuosos. Everyone on the stage filled in where needed. It’s not hard to see why Ringo recruited this lineup: they’re a great team of ego-free utility men only concerned with putting on a great show.
The rest of the night belonged to Ringo
To close the evening, Ringo went full Paul McCartney and gave us his most frontman self. That meant an emphatic, impassioned performance of “Photograph.” Live, the song was equal parts gorgeous and cheese. In short, it’s nostalgia wrapped up into a four-minute pop song.
Knowing the night was coming to a close, I consulted the always trusty Set List FM and headed to the exit here. Ya gotta beat the crowd.
While ambling to the back, Ringo busted out the silly, barroom-ready, country western “Act Naturally.” Hard not to smile through that one…nor the night’s finale, the rousing “With a Little Help From My Friends.” There was not a dry eye in the house as Starr warbled through his most memorable song.
Just like that, my Ringo Bingo Card was complete (although we didn’t get a surprise Paul appearance, “Hard Day’s Night” clip or reference to being knighted) and the perfect evening concluded with a “Give Peace A Chance” outro. No encore necessary.
Final verdict
You might not believe it based on how much ink was spilled here but this show flew by. These workmanlike vets know how to put on a show for folks of all ages who want to party but also get home before 10:30.
If you’re a Beatles fan, make sure you see Ringo live even if “It Don’t Come Easy.” Right now, he’s as sprightly as ever at almost 85 but who knows how long he’ll be at this level?
Pay your respects the drumming giant before it’s too late.
Ringo Starr tour schedule
A complete calendar including all North American tour dates, venues and links to buy tickets can be found below.
Bourbon and Beyond Festival
This September, the former Beatle will lend his talents to the annual Louisville, KY four-day musical extravaganza.
Fellow headliners on the bill this year include Phish, Jack White, Foreigner, Pat Benatar and Alabama Shakes to name just a few.
Want to be there?
You can grab single and multi-day Bourbon and Beyond Festival tickets here.
Ringo Starr Radio City set list
Based on our findings at Set List FM, here’s what Ringo and co. performed at Radio City Music Hall on Friday, June 13.
01.) “Honey Don’t” (Carl Perkins cover/Beatles song)
02.) “It Don’t Come Easy” (Ringo Starr song)
03.) “Rosanna” (Toto cover)
04.) “Pick Up the Pieces” (Average White Band cover)
05.) “Down Under” (Men at Work cover)
06.) “Boys” (The Shirelles cover)
07.) “I’m the Greatest” (John Lennon cover)
08.) “Yellow Submarine” (The Beatles cover)
09.) “Cut the Cake” (Average White Band cover)
10.) “Octopus’s Garden” (The Beatles cover)
11.) “Look Up” (Ringo Starr song)
12.) “No No Song” (Hoyt Axton song)
13.) “Overkill” (Men at Work cover)
14.) “Africa” (Toto cover)
15.) “Work to Do” (The Isley Brothers cover)
16.) “I Wanna Be Your Man” (The Beatles cover)
17.) “Who Can It Be Now?” (Men at Work cover)
18.) “Hold the Line” (Toto cover)
19.) “Photograph” (Ringo Starr song)
20.) “Act Naturally” (Johnny Russell son)
19.) “With a Little Help From My Friends” (The Beatles cover)
Ringo Starr new music
“Look Up,” Ringo’s 21st studio album, hit shelves on Jan. 10, 2025.
The country record is made up of 11 lively, occasionally emotional tracks that sometimes rip and sometimes tug at your heartstrings. Sure, it’s a bit odd to hear a lad from Liverpool over plucky Americana but Starr makes it work.
Standouts here include the earthy, stripped-down “Breathless” (feat. bluegrass wunderkind Billy Strings), the melancholy “Time On My Hands,” smoldering “Rosetta,” square dance ready “You Want Some” and syrupy sweet “Come Back” duet with Lucius who complement Ringo beautifully.
Stick around for “Can You Hear Me Call,” too. Flashes of The Beatles can be heard if you listen closely enough.
Wanna give the record a spin? You can look up “Look Up” here.
All Starr Band members
Starr’s All Starrs all have very impressive resumes.
To make sure you’re in the loop, here’s who you can expect to see onstage with Ringo when you see him live next summer.
Colin Hay might look and sound familiar. In addition to playing with Ringo, he also fronted the popular group Men At Work.
Steve Lukather did a little bit of everything when he played with Toto. Most notably, he served as the “Hold The Line” group’s singer and guitarist.
Gregg Bissonette drums. He also gets around. You may have seen him and his kit onstage with Spinal Tap, The David Lee Roth Band, or Electric Light Orchestra.
Hamish Stuart was the bassist for the Average White Band. He also played alongside the Paul McCartney Band.
Warren Ham has played multiple instruments for multiple iconic classic rock outfits including Kansas, Toto. He’s also jammed on tour with Donna Summer and Olivia Newton-John.
Buck Johnson made his bones playing with Aerosmith and acting as their keyboardist, backing vocalist and acoustic guitarist. He’s also performed with the supergroup Hollywood Vampires and his country band Whiskey Falls.
Classic rockers on tour in 2025
Many of your favorites from yesteryear are back at it again this year and next.
Here are just six (!) of our favorite can’t-miss classic rock heroes you won’t want to miss live in the neat future.
Not enough nostalgia for you?
Check out our list of all the biggest classic rockers on tour in 2025 to find the show that makes the most sense for you.
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change
