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Arcadia Weekly Jul 06, 2016
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Ringo Starr delights 6,000 friends at The Greek on Saturday night, June 4. – Photo by Terry Miller
Ringo Starr Celebrates His 76th Birthday
By Terry Miller
My first opportunity to photograph Ringo should have been in 1965 at Shea Stadium in 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 … because 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, albeit 51 years later, I was honored to set up my trusty Nikon with a 300-millimeter lens to capture some images of my hero!
Ringo Starr looked ever so relaxed and fit when he stepped in front of more than 6,000 fans at the Greek Theatre on 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 the two hour show opened with “Boys.”
Standing in front of his stunning silver sparkle, star-dotted Ludwig set, Ringo was in his element with 6,000 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 US 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 last 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!
