Ringo Starr and the Roundheads with guest Colin Hay, at Genesee Theatre,
Waukegan, Illinois, June 24th, 2005



REVIEW by Mark Drobnick (06-27-2005)

{ 2523 Poplar St., Waukegan, IL 60087; ph. (847) 782 – 1168; e-mail –
mark_h_drobnick@... }



Beatle Ringo Starr and his musicians brought down the house, Friday, June 24th,
at the recently renovated, Genesee Theatre, here, in Waukegan, Illinois. Ringo
declared the acoustics “great”, and indeed they were, the mix right, the volume
appropriate, so that PBS’ Soundstage was enabled to record the event flawlessly,
for this {a future} Thursday’s broadcast. Twenty-one songs over one hour and
forty-five minutes began and ended punctually, and were interpreted constantly,
throughout.



Having guest Colin Hay integrated into, segued in and out, a couple of times,
was a novel and successful approach to including a “warm-up” band. However, the
crowd needed no warm-up, when at 8:00 p.m., Mr. Richard Starkey took the stage.
The crowd was all ready for non-stop Ringo, from the get-go. Performer and
crowd intermeshed in perfect “synchronicity”, feeding one upon another; us,
bouncing to his music; he, reacting to our appreciation. And the fan uniform?
Why, half the audience members wore some kind of memorabilia, Ringo T-shirts of
some shape and form, adornments, Ringo license plates, etc. His fans came
psyched and prepared.



Most of the songs that night, his fans (including myself), knew by heart. So,
Ringo received ample, back-up sing-along, as to both stanzas and chorus, for
standards like, “Little Help from My Friends”, “It Don’t Come Easy”, “Octopus’
Garden”, “Wanna Be Your Man”, “Photograph”, “Boys”, “Act Naturally”, and “Yellow
Submarine”.



Coincidentally, chronologically, Beatle Paul’s “When I’m Sixty-four” could have
been an appropriate inclusion. But, another reality is that Ringo looks and
acts as if he was twenty years younger than he is. So that, even the fans
present who have been fortunate enough to have followed him since the Beatles
became well-known, four decades ago, all felt and behaved as enthusiastic,
euphoric teen-agers, during last Friday’s concert.



Actor Roger Moore (Ringo’s wife’s one-time, movie co-star) once quipped to
Johnny Carson, gibing at Ringo’s thespian abilities, well he is a (good)
drummer, after all, isn’t he? Yes, Mr. Moore, and also (he is) a very good
actor, too. (My kids, by the way, especially like Ringo, in Help and Caveman;
so do Mom and Dad.) Ringo’s presence on-stage at the Genesee was able to exude
and impart peace and love and the feel-good aura that the Beatles generated in
their heyday. Nobody does it better, Ringo; you’re the one. Also, I was
reminded of Beatle George’s comment to Dick Cavett once: there’s so much
goodwill carried on over from the Beatle days, that --- to paraphrase --- it’s
easy and prepared for us now with our solo careers, that gives us that added
handicap, to be able to hit the ground running, in what we do today.



From his newest album, Ringo included only two songs, the title track, and,
“Give Me Back the Beat”, two excellent choices. Also, it would have been a good
idea to have included, “Fading In Fading Out”, well-produced, catchy, up-beat,
inspirational, and wise, from Ringo, “the philosopher”. When he geared up for
“Give Me Back the Beat”, standing stage center before a conga-style drum,
surprise and expectation made me ask, “what next?” and of all musical stylists,
think of Tito Puente! But, not unexpectedly, interpreted, was more,
straight-on, mainstream, rock and roll.



“Don’t Pass Me By”, declaimed Ringo, was the first tune he ever wrote; I guess
he meant, solo. “Flying” had preceded it, from Magical Mystery Tour, where he’s
listed as co-author. But, from the “white album”, at its performance’s outset,
was heard an audible gasp of astonishment and awe from Friday’s audience, when
Ringo sat down at the Peter Max adorned piano, and began its instrumental
accompaniment, himself doling out the harmonizing chords. I guess we just
didn’t know enough about the scope and range of his musical versatility.



He has always carried a tune very well and has a distinct-trademark, solid,
instantly recognizable, musical voice. His material, predominantly written by
him, sometimes by others, is all tailored to coincide within his vocal range.
So, the rendition is fluid, commanding, and steady.



The new album, musically evokes, in half of its numbers, his ex-partners’
musical signatures, sounds, and styles. At first listen, one might believe that
they had been penned and/or performed by his one-time collaborators, John
Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison. In particular, “Choose Love”
evokes, as part of its trademark riff and rhythm, a re-incarnation of Harrison’s
“Taxman”, and, it includes lyrical allusions to Lennon-McCartney songs, as well.
On the other hand, “Give Me Back the Beat” and “Fading In Fading Out”, to my way
of listening, are complete Ringo originals.



On sale, in the lobby, beside C.D.’s of Ringo’s latest music, were samples of
his paintings. Sale prices ranged from $1,000 to $3,200 each, with proceeds
going 100% to the charitable Lotus foundation, Ringo’s organization dedicated to
alcohol and drug-abuse rehabilitation.



Throughout the night’s revue, Ringo was, 75% of the time, standing before the
microphone singing, and, doing some ad-libbing and small talk with the audience;
the remainder of the time, he was ascendant at his drum throne, behind. Each
time he returned to “Olympus” there sounded an audible sigh of appreciation, of
eagerness, anticipating enjoyment, expectation of what was to come next.



Waves of adulation recrudesced throughout the evening. Ringo commented, “this
song was written by John Lennon about me, and he knew me very well,” then
launched into, “I’m The Greatest”. Current right-hand man, guitarist Mark
Hudson, worked the audience, several times: “What’s his (aka Billy Shears)
name?” Audience: Ringo, RIngo, RINgo, RINGO, R-I-N-G-O!!! Then The Man
solicited: Who am I? Audience: R-I-N-G-O!!!! (I, feeling festively contrary,
shouted, “Richard”; “move to Waukegan!”) Anyway, our city’s guest of honor
seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed basking in the emotional outpouring. And, who
could begrudge him? It was certainly fulfilling and gratifying to be a
participant in those waves of emotional deluge.



In his pre-concert press interview, he mentioned his son Zak’s music; he’s a
drummer, too. Along with John and, later on, Paul, then finally, George, they
always were family lads, from the inceptive days of their fame. So, for those
of us who grew up in a framework resembling family, this was an aspect that made
them easier to relate to, as well. Show biz, disciplined, always novel, and
even pompous, for performance; down-to-earth, understandable, genuine, likeable,
and real, in person.



Publicity about the event only started about six weeks prior to its happening.
It should be the warm-up for many more Ringo projects to come in the near
future. The sold-out, 2,400-seat venue for the re-appearance of this legend
afforded an intimacy which is scarcely encountered with someone of his stature.



He has never taken himself too seriously, perhaps another key to his appeal and
longevity. He continues to play hard-beat, rocking music, and himself admits
that in ten more years, the only thing he still may have the capacity to play
fast enough would be slow-paced blues and ballads, such as the Billy Preston
collaboration on the, Choose Love album. He is comfortable in both his skin and
with life. His longevity with mate Barbara Bach (Starkey), who is a musical
contributor on the song, “Turnaround”, is reassuring and comforting. We are
inspired that, like Ringo, there are some icons and institutions which,
seemingly, will always be there for us.



The Roundheads is an excellent band that he has belonged to for five years,
now. These gentlemen are all very talented performers and writers. And, they
are “a nice bunch of guys”, comments Roundhead Mark Hudson, who Ringo challenges
and bests in the biggest(er) nose competition, on the album’s C.D./DVD
documentary. If my facts serve me correctly, I believe that this is the same
Hudson who has been an ex-collaborator of musicians Aerosmith and actress
Goldie Hawn, in varying capacities, besides his earlier musical career with
siblings and as producer.



A couple of years ago, was aired for awhile on televison, an investment company,
promotion commercial, featuring Ringo and co-musicians. A further nuance and
re-forming of Ringo’s image developed, while he discoursed and emerged from it
as a stock market savant and sage! At the end of his new album’s documentary he
proffers his hat for donations. These all are aspects of the multi-faceted
Ringo, a consummate entertainer. And, as he so rightly declares in another
moment, you can leave the house, you can leave money, but the most important and
enduring entity that you can leave, is love. This had always been a talisman
with the Beatles, too. This is what Ringo imparted, in abundance, on Friday. A
splendid time was, guaranteed for, and, received by all.





MARK DROBNICK:



Big Beatles fan, since mid-1960’s;

Graduate of Carthage College and University of Illinois;



Current Illinois and former Puerto Rico resident;

Fluent in English and Spanish;



Accomplished at applied piano and guitar;

Licensed as teacher, real estate broker, and analytical chemist;



Former medical student through National Boards, part 1;

Completed law school curriculum;



Municipal political candidate in early-2005;

Hobbies include motorcycle riding and scuba diving;



Resides in Waukegan with wife and three children.





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