During my recent interview with Gary Wright, I asked him what it meant to him, from a career fulfillment standpoint, to be part of Ringo’s All-Starr Band not just once but twice.

“Let me preface it by saying that I was a huge Beatles fan.  I saw them when they first appeared at Carnegie Hall in New York in 1962 – whenever that was.  I was a huge Beatle fan. I played on all of George Harrison’s solo albums and to have been a close friend of his and I met Ringo through George because he played on George’s first solo album, All Things Must Pass.  So, I’ve known Ringo over the years.  All of a sudden, out of the blue, to get a call two years ago to join him – well, first of all, I was overjoyed. 

“He’s a great drummer – a fantastic drummer. He’s got an incredible feel.  And, he’s a wonderful, wonderful human being! He’s giving; he’s very kind; he’s funny; he’s just a great person to be around.  He treats the musicians really wonderfully. And, it’s a joy!  It’s like touring at its best.  It can’t hardly get any better than that!”

In discussing Ringo’s line-up for this tour, each band member is mentioned with accolades by Gary:  Edgar Winter as a great keyboardist; Rick Derringer and his phenomenal guitar work, Gary goes on by adding, “ . . . Richard Page from Mr. Mister – he’s got great songs like Kyrie, Eléison and Broken Wing. And Wally Palmer from (The Romantics’) Talking In My Sleep and That’s What I Like About You – they’re all great songs.

“The thing about the Ringo show is that it’s hit after hit after hit and the audience loves it, which is good.  It’s like those old doo-wop shows from the 50’s when there’d be ten artists on the bill and each group would come up and sing one, two or three of their big songs and everyone would people would go crazy.  It’s that identity factor that people love to hear their favorite artist.”

Ringo’s All Starr Tour kicks off June 24^th in Niagra Falls, Ontario, and concludes at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on August 7^th.  Click here to see if the boys are coming to a city near year.  If they are within a couple of hours driving distance or a good, quick flight from where you live, I would highly encourage you to take this opportunity to catch Ringo and the boys in concert.

While you’re at it, why not pick up or download Y Not?  If you’re waffling about buying it, again, you can read the Boomerocity review of it here.