RINGO STARR & The NEW All-Starr Band, 02 September 2001, Sunday, Open Air Amphitheatre, San Diego CA

In previous years Ringo has played "Humphrey's",a very intimate venue, doing two performances. This year one performance was booked at the larger Open Air Amphitheatre on the campus of San Diego State University. Humphrey's is a far more intimate setting, on the water, in an area called Shelter Island (Point Loma), known for it's seafood restaurants and pricey hotels. Though Humphrey's is a great venue, the people who run the place are very unfriendly, unhelpful and sometimes just down right rude, which, for me, takes away from the enjoyment of the evening. The folks at SDSU were a breath of fresh air! The show was not sold out, many an empty seat in the upper areas, but still probably about the same amount of people that would have attended two performances at Humphrey's.

This band was as tight as one can get, I was impressed at how well they all sounded together.This evening wasn't any different than most of the other dates, with the exception that it was the last night of the tour. Many comments were made by all band members throughout the evening of how this last night of the tour was so emotional for them. It was really quite obvious that all were very fond of each other, and had had such a great six weeks together. Everyone seemed to genuinely enjoy playing each others songs.

Ringo, as usual, was ON, his usual delightful, amusing self. He relentlessly teased the audience, and his fellow band members. Ringo looked great, and obviously taking care of himself. How many 61 year olds can dance, drum and sing for over two hours, and end the evening doing jumping jacks?

RINGO: Photograph
*Ringo: "Well, I guess now we're going to Act Naturally"
Act Naturally
*Ringo asked his sound man (by name) if his mic was cutting out, crowd members called back "NO"! Ringo joked back "Is your name ________? I ask my sound guy if I'm cutting out and 12 people in the audience yell out NO!"
GREG LAKE: In The Court Of The Crimson King
ROGER HODGSON: Logical Song
*Roger seemed to be the more "sensitive" of the band, appearing genuinely touched by the audience response. He was the first to mention that it was the last night of the tour, and how emotional it was up there on that stage. Roger reminded me of George Harrison throughout the night, in his all over gentle manner.
HOWARD JONES: No One Is Ever To Blame
*Howard had his own digital camera that he used throughout the night, taking photos of the crowd, of other band members, and sometimes with him in the picture too. Under a white jacket, Ringo wore a black t-shirt with the phrase Peace+Love on the front. He mentioned that Howard's wife had just made it especially for him.
IAN HUNTER: Cleveland Rocks
*Ian just cracked me up, I thought he was hysterical with his "rock star" stances. As in other cities, Ian was well prepared during this song, with a note in his hand and proceeded to shout "Padres Suck", "Chargers Rock", "Doug Flutie Rocks","San Diego rocks", "but not as well as Cleveland").
I thought this song would get everyone off their seats...but not until the end did people get up, and instantly were back down. Good grief.
SHEILA E: A Love Bizarre
*As others have mentioned of previous shows, Sheila knew how to take command of the stage, and she is one hell of a drummer! At the drums, at the end of Sheila's first performance, Ringo shouts "I'D LIKE TO DO ANOTHER NUMBER NOW..." and continues talking loudly, saying he was trying to be as loud as Sheila....the whole band cracked up...
RINGO: Boys
ROGER HODGSON: Give A Little Bit
*Again as at other shows, Roger dedicated this tune to Ringo, stating his appreciation for him, and once again making comments about the tour itself.
RINGO: You're 16
* Ringo made his usual comments about the young girls, etc. A very young girl caught Ringo's attention which prompted to say, "Now she's REALLY young." Ian Hunter reached out to give her a guitar pick, when Ringo offered to buy the little girl for Ian which brought on laughter all around.
RINGO: Yellow Submarine
*I thought this years version of Yellow Sub was the best so far. The timing and rhythm seemed closer to the original, not so silly as past years.
GREG LAKE: Karn Evil 9
RINGO: I'm The Greatest
*This was a short version, a verse totally missed which appeared to be an accident. RINGO: No No Song
*Ringo:"The sentiment of this song is the reason I am standing here alive today."
RINGO: Back Off Boogaloo
HOWARD JONES: Things Can Only Get Better
*I liked the sound of Howard's songs with a full band! I saw him live back in the 80's (opened for Marshall Crenshaw) which it was all electronics. Howard on stage alone surrounded by keyboards...need I say more.
IAN HUNTER: Irene Wilde
*Though I enjoyed this tune, I was hopIng for "All The Way From Memphis"!
SHEILA E: Glamorous Life
*Course, like in other cities, this one got people out of their seats FINALLY! Geez, folks, we may be getting older but for goodness sakes we're not in wheelchairs yet!!!
Ringo announced that Sheila's mom was in the audience, and proceeded to tell her how much they loved Sheila. At this point, it was hugs all around. Sheila went behind Ringo at the drums and gave him a huge hug, Mark Rivera then hugged Ringo. Greg Lake and Howard Jones hugged, and then Roger attempted to hug Ian. Throughout the evening people were running up to the stage to take pictures, which Ringo would "pose" (hysterical). The security (though very easy going) would chase people back, or try to stop people. Sheila E. finally said, "Gosh, let them take their pics. But just make sure you go back to your seats.." Which Ringo replied, "See, the trouble you cause? Yeah, and then it will be ME that will have to deal with it later!", then he added, "Sure, come down and take your pics", of which he continued to "pose" quite humorously.
RINGO: I Wanna Be Your Man
*Ringo noticed a couple of crowd members, one dressed in a SGT Pepper uniform, another dressed like a wizard from MMT. He loved it, and thanked them.
GREG LAKE: Lucky Man
*Ringo, Roger, Mark and Ian left the stage during this song.
HOWARD JONES: Everlasting Love
ROGER HODGSON: Take The Long Way Home
IAN HUNTER: All The Young Dudes
RINGO: Don't Go Where The Road Don't Go
*I think it was around this time that Ringo proceeded to hold his star shaped tambourine over each member's head...including himself! The whole band seemed to get a kick out of it.
RINGO: With A Little Help From My Friends
*Ringo, as always, left the stage before the song was over, leaving the band to finish up. They bowed, and hugged each other many times before leaving the stage. It was all very sweet. Sheila E.'s mother and other relatives joined them on stage for this last song. After all was said and done, Sheila could be seen hugging crew members on stage.
Quite the mixed crowd, many young kids at the show who were given much attention from Ringo and Sheila (who gave a drumstick to a small boy who had been playing air guitar in his dad's lap). Some very young girls at the show, two of which had flowers for Ringo. Security was trying to keep them from getting to the stage, but Ringo told them to let them bring the flowers. The girls were beside themselves afterwards.
I know I'm not remembering as much as I should. I did take some notes, but it was hard not to get caught up in it all and just say to heck with note taking! I did take a copy of a previous set list, so that part was easy. Why hadn't I thought of that before? Cheers, and here's to the next tour!!!!