Hi Steve, Great to see you're back and providing updates again. I can't tell you how wonderful of a service you provide to Beatlefans everywhere!! Yours is the first website I check each day for any news... To add to the prior Milwaukee review, the concert was held at the Marcus Center, a performing arts center in Milwaukee which seats only 2,305. My brother and I had tickets eight rows from the stage (definitely the closest I've been to a Beatle; sure beats tickets in the top row of the United Center for Paul McCartney last year)! Even though the theater was small, it didn't really seem intimate because the crowd was almost too quiet; it didn't seem like the place to get up and dance, even though a few people did here and there. Ringo did comment that it was definitely the poshest venue they'd played thus far, and at one point he made a comment that "those seats look way too comfortable", because people were sitting throughout most of the show. The set list was the same as the Grand Rapids show (note - John Waite did "Isn't It Time" as the 6th song, not "Every Time I Think Of You"). Other moments I can remember a week after the fact... as Ringo was striking various poses between songs and getting generous applause each time, he announced "I'm running for governor"! Also, after some young girls yelled out "I love you" and an older gentleman yelled out "RINGO!" he said that he preferred the higher-pitched voices expressing their love for him. When another man yelled out "RINGO!" later in the show, he said "I though we already had this talk!" All in all, a wonderful show, one of the most enjoyable concerts I've ever been to. Ringo seems to be getting more and more comfortable on stage. I just hope we get a Roundheads tour at some point to get more Ringo! Speaking of which, Mark Hudson was at Beatlefest today in Chicago, and said that he's going to try to talk Ringo into doing a Roundheads tour next year, where they play small venues exclusively. He also let us know that, just confirmed, is a special limited edition Christmas release of "Ringo Rama" with an expanded DVD, including the video of "Never Without You", and several bonus tracks on the CD (including the import-only release "Blink"). Hudson is a huge Beatles fan, and even though he loves working with Ringo, he would LOVE to produce McCartney some day. Also, somebody who went to the Chicago show asked Hudson why Ringo didn't do "Never Without You" in concert...that surprised me, since he had done it a few days before in Milwaukee. Hudson said he thinks it's because Ringo realizes that Colin Hay is struggling with the Clapton guitar solo, and he wants to make sure it sounds exactly like the record, so he said they're probably taking it out of the set list temporarily while they work to perfect it. I was disappointed to hear that, because I thought it was a highlight of the show. Even though the guitar solo might not have been "perfect", it was Ringo's vocals and the sentiment of the song that made it a standout, so hopefully it does return eventually. That's it for now. Again, great job on the website!
(8/17/03) From Paul Ratterman:
Hello, my name is Paul Ratterman and I check out your site practically every day. My wife Dena and I made the 7 hour drive from Lousiville, Ky. to Milwaukee to see Ringo Sat. night. The set list was the same from previous shows. What struck me most about the show was how comfortable Ringo seems now down in front of the audience. He was constantly talking to the fans and generally having a fab time. Any of you who have been following the all-star band concerts since 1989, like I have, know that has not always been the case. Some highlights for Dena and I were the Here Comes The Sun/Never Without You tribute to George. There was an obvious respect from Sheila E. towards Ringo that could not be missed. He in turn loves what she does, making the comment "All that, after only one lesson from me! That shows you how far you can take it!" He made a comment that the theatre was a posher place than they had been playing. We waited about 1 1/2 hours after the show hoping to get some autographs, but had no luck. As other fans have commented, the band really lacks a lead guitarist with punch. Colin Hay played and sang well, but he is not a lead player. I thought John Waite was fantastic. His vocals were heartfelt and bass playing right on. Sheila E. was very exciting and Paul Carrack was adequate on keys. His "Living Years" always gets me. Mark Rivera was everywhere playing everything (including Ringo's cymbals with his tamborine). Ringo made the comment that this All-Starr Band was definitely the "best dressed" of all. All in all, a trip well worth it. See you all this weekend at THE FEST in Chicago. Ram on all!!