Review: Ringo Starr and All-Starrs on the TODAY show, August 3,2001:

During the commercial breaks throughout the TODAY show broadcast, selections from the Anthology...So Far CD were played. Then Ringo Starr was interviewed by Katie Couric. Starr was asked about the engagement of Paul McCartney to Heather Mills and about the health of George Harrison. Starr gave his "blessing" to the engagement "as if he needed it". Starr said he saw Harrison in Switzerland and that he is recuperating. Couric lambasted tabloid reports and discussed the statements by George and Olivia denying the sensationalist allegations. Starr stated that he would have been told if Harrison's condition was as bad as the tabloids alleged.Starr talked about the All-Starr Tours and how they originated. He stated that as a musician he is compelled to perform. This was in response to those who asked him why he continues to tour. Starr maintained that it is "about the music" and that he is having fun, fun in the summertime.

He was asked about the unprecedented success of the Beatles "1", which Couric stated sold "22 million" and went number one in 24 countries. Starr stated that he knew "1" would do well but he was surprised that it did as well as it did, the magnitude of the success. Couric asked him if he and Paul and George are working on a follow-up to "1". Starr jokingly stated that they were going to put out an album of the Beatles' no.2 hits, the 2s, Beatles "2". Would the Threatles/Threetles, Paul,George, and Ringo, perform on stage as a group again. Ringo said that they would not. The Beatles could not be brought back, just like Elvis could not be brought back, according to Ringo.He was asked if he wanted to perform with any contemporary artist today and who it would be. Starr gave a deadpan answer, "No!", which elicited laughter. Starr was upbeat and witty throughout in a jovial mood.

Before Starr and the All-Starr band took the stage, a short film clip retrospective of Ringo Starr's career was run which included his Beatles years, solo years, movie roles, such as THE MAGIC CHRISTIAN with Peter Sellers, CANDY with Marlon Brando and Richard Burton, SEXTETTE with Mae West, HELP!, A HARD DAY'S NIGHT, and CAVEMAN with Barbara Bach. The All-Starrs then performed three songs: "Yellow Submarine", "Give a Little Bit", and "With a Little Help From My Friends".

During "Yellow Submarine", Starr engaged in a sing-along with the audience while the sound effects from the original recording were played. Roger Hodgson then played acoustic guitar on the Supertramp song "Give a Little Bit". Ringo Starr played tambourine on this number. Sheila E. did the drumming on all the selections, following almost exactly Starr's original drumming on the records.The crowd was massive. Many had come from Massachusetts. All age groups were represented. The performances were excellent. The playing and singing were exceptional. The TODAY show concert was a success and an excellent showcase for Ringo Starr and the All -Starr Band.

Just thought I'd write to clarify a few things about the Today show mess up on Wednesday. Ringo is listed as co-ARRANGER to the song 'Maggie MAE' (along with the other 3 Beatles from the "Let It Be" lp, and the correct authors of 'Maggie MAY' by Rod Stewart are Rod Stewart and Martin Quittenton - not Carmine Appice - unless Martin is his real name and I'm not aware of that!!

I was quite amused when I read the comments from Richard Barr on the link to Ringo Tour 2001. Likewise, last night I was talking to my mother who also saw the Today show fiasco and she had also told me that Ringo CO-wrote "Maggie May" with Rod Stewart to which I said..."What?" It did not dawn on me until a few minutes ago that the drummer that CO-wrote "Maggie May" with Rod Stewart was none other than former Vanilla Fudge drummer, Carmine Appice (older brother of Vinny Appice-former drummer for Ronnie James Dio and Black Sabbath and one of my all time favorites). Just thought this would help end the confusion. I am quite sure Ringo would enjoy receiving the royalties from Maggie May though.
David Freis

Update 8/2/01) From Richard Barr:

While watching the NBC Today show this morning, they of course were mentioning that Ringo and the All Starrs would be on this coming Friday. Coming back from commercial they were playing 'If I Fell' from the AHDN movie and were mentioning he would be on on Friday. Katie Curack then told Matt Lauer she had some trivia questions for him about Ringo. The first question was what was Ringo's real name. Matt didn't know, the answer of course was Richard Starkey. The next question she asked was what songs did Ringo write for the Beatles? Again Matt didn't know - the answers she said were 'Octopus's Garden' 'All Together Now'' and "Yellow Submarine." Ringo of course sang YS but did not write it nor did he write ATN. A major mess up in my opinion. Katie then went on to say 'Did you know Ringo co-wrote 'Maggie Mae' with Rod Stewart? WHAT???? Where did they get their information?