Life certainly did not come easy for Ringo Starr. Before his Beatles fame, he was getting some serious education in the blues. He was a sickly, bedridden child who endured more ailments than any normal child should, essentially spending more time in a children’s hospital than in school. For instance, after an appendectomy, he developed peritonitis and fell into a coma. Among other disappointments in his life, he was fatherless, he grew up poor and vulnerable in a seedy neighborhood, and lacked any real motivation to enter the work force.
But Starr, always calm and Zen-like, understood the importance in letting go of past sorrows and marched on, which is the beauty of his success; it was against all odds, a definitive tale of overcoming adversity. But of course, as the old song sort of goes, he received a lot of help from his friends along the way, whether they were family members, workmates or even Beatles. Currently, Starr gets by as a master showman with his All-Starr Band, a super group filled with old pals and recovering rockaholics such as Todd Rundgren, Richard Page (Mr. Mister) and Steve Lukather (Toto). Though the group’s material relies heavily on their various, individual hits, it’s special to hear famous friends playing their favorite songs. Also, who wouldn’t want to hear Starr drum to Mr. Mister’s “Broken Wings”?
The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13, starting at $39 plus tax and fee. 702.749.2000
