Ringo Starr delights 6000 friends at The Greek Saturday Night
You Say it’s Your Birthday….
Ringo Starr Celebrates His 76th Birthday Thursday, July 7
By Terry Miller
My first opportunity to photograph Ringo should have been in 1965 at Shea Stadium, New York.
My father had press credentials (which in those days meant a lot coming from an internationally respected newspaper like The London Daily Telegraph.)
Apparently, as the story goes…my dad “gave away” the passes to some very thankful person(s) [in a bar] to be on the field that summer of ’65…beacuase he “ didn’t think…. [Colin, my younger brother and myself] cared to see the Beatles.”
We didn’t talk to him for years, after that.
In any event, ableit 51 years later, I was honored to set up my trusty Nikon with a 300mm lens to capture some images of me hero!
Ringo Starr, looking ever so relaxed and fit when stepped in front of more than 6,000 fans at the Greek Theatre Saturday night, July 2.
The former Beatle best known for his amazing [albeit underrated] drumming skills opened up the set with the pounding rhythm of Gregg Bissonette on a Dixon set of drums as Ringo opened the two hour show with ‘Boys’.
Standing in front of his stunning silver sparkle, star dotted Ludwig set, Ringo was in his element with 6000 of his closest friends in Los Angeles, which he now calls home.
He bounced around on stage as if he was half his age. The energy was electric – I only wish Ringo spent a little more time on the drums…which, after all are his element.
Ringo’s All-Starr Band wrapped a 21-show 2016 U.S. tour concert with the sold-out homecoming show in the hills near the Griffith Observatory.
The All Starr Band features guitarist-singer-songwriter Todd Rundgren, legendary Toto guitarist-singer Steve Lukather, Santana keyboardist-singer Gregg Rolie, bassist Richard Page, saxophonist-percussionist Warren Ham and another extraordinary drummer, Gregg Bissonette.
“Peace and love,” Ringo’s theme and eternal message was clearly felt Saturday as he introduced the band members “ They’re all stars….” Ringo told the fans Saturday.
So what do you say after finally getting the chance to photograph [been waiting since 1965] the man who inspired me to play the drums?
Happy Birthday, Ringo. You’re smashing!