Just got back from my 5th Ringo Starr and the All-Starr Band show (Guess that makes it Cinqo de Ringo!) and it was flat-out great! The Mizner Ampitheatre was the site once again. This time however, it was under dark skies as rain threatened and eventually fell on the proceedings, but it didn't dampen anyone's spirit as the show was excellent. I normally get a poster each time I see Ringo, so that I can put it in a frame along with the tickets from the show, as a neat way to remember it. This time, however, there was not a poster to be seen, which was a real bummer, but I got two shirts which look great.

My father and I sat about 30 rows back, and early on it was very difficult to see, as people in front of me blocked my view. Ringo and the band came on stage and got a warm reception from the South Florida crowd. Ringo was in great shape and really "poured" on the jokes. One of his gems was to a gentleman with a poncho on as the rain died down: "You can take that hood off now, you look like the ghost of Christmas past!"

This was the set list:

• -The Billy Shears introduction from With A Little Help from My
• Friends (Ringo came out afterwards).
• -It Don't Come Easy
• -What Goes On
• -Everybody Wants You (Billy Squier)
• -Free Ride (Edgar Winter)
• -Love Bizarre
• -Boys
• -Don't Mean Nothing
• -She's Not There (great to hear this from a living legend).
• -Never Without You (off of Ringo Rama).
• -Yellow Submarine (It was "audience participation time").
• -Rod Argent solo spot ("It's the time for the season for loving.")
• -Rambling On My Mind (Nice little jam from Billy Squier, with Edgar Winter accompanying him).
• -Frankenstein (The highlight of the night by far! Edgar Winter brought the house down!)
• -Photograph (always one of my faves)
• -Choose Love (funny intro from Ringo: "This one is off my latest album, "Choose Love," which probably only..what? 1, 2, 3, 4, (I raised my hand at this point :) ) 5,6,7, 8 people know about. Billy then suggested the internet as a way to buy it. Ringo's response: That doesn't help me much. Whenever you say "internet", you lose me."
• -I Should Have Known Better (Not to be confused with John's song off of "A Hard Day's Night").
• -Glamorous Life (Sheila dedicated this song to a relative, who I think she said had just passed away. She really gave her all and more on this one. She followed it with an awesome solo!)
• -I Wanna Be Your Man
• -Rock Me Tonight
• -Act Naturally
• -Hold Your Head Up (BIG crowd-pleaser)
• -With A Little Help From My Friends (Guest drummer took up Sheila's drumming duties here, as she was exhausted and couldn't finish the show. Hope she's alright).

Great show! Ringo was cracking jokes all night. After Sheila E.'s "Glamorous Life," Ringo said, "She just drummed more on that song than I think I have my whole entire life!" Also, as it was his 66th (Wow!) birthday yesterday, people in the audience were giving him roses and balloons. Which he then proceeded to sell to the audience. "30 dollars for some roses and balloons here." My one complaint was the length of the intros this time around. They were all a bit too much.

Midway through the show, the rain could not be held up any longer, and down it came! Thankfully, we were smart enough to bring ponchos! While everyone else either ran for the exits or off to the side, where there was minimal cover, we stayed and weathered it out. Ringo and the group were very thankful for the people who stayed behind.

Ringo also had a funny moment with Billy Squier, who just before singing was cut off by Ringo during the intro because someone had mentioned the rain. Ringo started singing "Singin' in the Rain." Everyone else started to play along with him. Hilarious! Billy just shook his head and went, "You know those pills that were backstage, Ringo?" You weren't supposed to take those!!"

Great interaction between Ringo and his bandmates this time around.

Near the end of the show, apparently Sheila E. was backstage taking a break, but didn't come out for the rest of the night. I think Ringo said that it was the heat onstage that was getting to her. He then commented that it was like 300 degrees up there. He then asked the band whether or not they should go on without her. They decided the show must go on and continued without her for the last two or three numbers, including the finale, where she was replaced with a back-up drummer. I don't who it was. Perhaps an understudy? He did a good job, nonetheless, but I hope Sheila's alright, and that it's nothing serious.

To sum up, I had a fantastic time, despite the rain. In fact, I think it made the night even better. Richard Marx was excellent. He had a very Eagles/Don Henley sound to him. I was shocked he didn't do "Right Here Waiting." Very good nevertheless. It was great to see Hamish Stuart for the first time, when I remember his ties to Paul McCartney. He was a steady, professional presence out there and his basswork on Love Bizarre was top-notch. I can see why Paul wanted him in his band. I felt the same way after meeting Denny Laine and Laurence Juber and hearing them perform at the Fest for Beatles Fans last year. Paul knows talent when he sees it!

Edgar Winter stole the show by far! "Frankenstein" had the house rocking. The rain and lightning outside added a great touch. Rod Argent was awesome and it was great to hear "She's Not There" and "Season for Loving". His voice was pretty weak, but he nevertheless gave a great performance. Billy Squier was really funny and a great musical talent.

According to Ringo at the beginning of the show, it "felt as if he never left" South Florida. Considering it's been three years since his last show down here (Guess it makes that show Ringo the 4th for me) he couldn't have been more right.

I had a great time. Can't wait to see him again next time. Thanks ever so much for this site! It's where I always go for the latest Beatle Bits!

That's all for now from Boca Raton. Until then,
Peace and Love!! Peace and Love!!
Conor