The Beach Boys with Ringo Starr

God Only Knows What I’d Be Without A Little Help From My Friends:

Ravinia, Highland Park, IL., USA 8/03/19

The Beach Boys along with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band performed at Ravinia over the weekend and treated fans to a mix of music from their respective careers featuring covers, hits, and engaging quips. There is nothing finer than a beautiful night up the north shore at Ravinia, in Highland Park, IL. and Saturday night proved to be one for the record books. From gorgeous weather to the historic and timeless hits that both legendary musical groups delivered. Kicking the evening off was the Beach Boys featuring original members Mike Love and Bruce Johnston along with long-time guest member, John Stamos. Stamos brings his energy and enthusiasm for such a great and extensive catalog as he plays guitar and also handles percussion duties at times too. Right from the beginning, Mike Love and crew dived right into the deep end with “Do It Again,” “Surfin’ Safari,” and “Catch A Wave,” and with a phenomenal backing band, the harmonies were as strong as they have ever been. As they took us back to parties at the beach, the syrup was as sticky as ever with the ballads “Surfer Girl,” “Don’t Worry Baby,” and “God Only Knows.”

Love spoke of times with his longtime friend and legendary member of The Beatles, George Harrison with the song “Pisces Brothers.” With photos dancing across the video screens showing the two together and other memorable moments, Mr. Love broke into his own unique version of Harrison’s “Here Comes The Sun.” Bringing us back to the Beach Boys catalog and rounding out their set with “Sloop John B,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” and “Help Me, Rhonda,” to the sing and dance-a-long “Barbara Ann,” “Kokomo,” and “Good Vibrations”. “Fun, Fun, Fun” certainly did an excellent job recapping the set and leaving the crowd full of excitement as the adrenaline was pumping with eager anticipation for one of the most famous drummers in history.

As Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band opened up their set with “Matchbox” and “It Don’t Come Easy.” The man of the hour was beaming from ear to ear as he worked the stage flashing his famous ‘Peace’ signs with his fingers to onlookers. This is the 30th anniversary of his first All Starr Band tour and his current lineup features guitarist Steve Lukather (Toto), keyboardist Gregg Rolie (Santana, Journey), drummer Gregg Bissonette (David Lee Roth), bassist Hamish Stuart (Average White Band), guitarist Colin Hay (Men at Work), and multi-instrumentalist Warren Ham (Kansas, Toto). Gregg Rolie took the spotlight as they ripped into “Evil Ways” which also featured Ringo doing the drumming. The crowd went down a journey as Lukather played “Rosanna”, Stuart led “Pick Up The Pieces”, and Hay delighted with “Down Under.”

There was no doubt that the capacity crowd at the beautiful Ravinia festival grounds, we’re bearing witness to some of the finest musicians ever to hold instruments and being led by one of the most iconic figures in music history. The chemistry between old and new members was impeccable and they delivered the energy and enthusiasm of someone half their age. Watching one of the greatest guitarists in history, Lukather was definitely having the time of his life. He went up to bandmates and leaned on them physically and bounced off of others with fire and vigor in his eyes as he ripped up and down the fretboard of his guitar.

While the whole evening consisted of highlights, the crowd was chomping at the bit when the Ringo opened up a few from his Fab Four days including “Don’t Pass Me By,” “Yellow Submarine” and “I Wanna Be Your Man,” but the crowd was truly delighted when they went into “With A Little Help From My Friends.” Making it more monumental was when Mike Love and Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys joined the All Starrs on stage to help with the sing-along and everyone also paid homage to another member of The Beatles, John Lennon, as they closed the evening out with a snippet of “Give Peace A Chance.” This was definitely the show of the summer with these two iconic groups on the same bill and by the smiles on the faces of the crowd leaving the venue, I’m not alone with that statement.

Setlist courtesy of Setlist.fm (Ringo)

Matchbox

(Carl Perkins cover)

It Don’t Come Easy

(Ringo Starr song)

Evil Ways

(Willie Bobo cover)

Rosanna

(Toto cover)

Pick Up the Pieces

(Average White Band cover)

Down Under

(Men at Work cover)

Boys

(The Shirelles cover)

Don’t Pass Me By

(The Beatles cover)

Yellow Submarine

(The Beatles cover)

Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen

You’re Sixteen

(Johnny Burnette cover)

Anthem

(Ringo Starr song)

Work to Do

(The Isley Brothers cover)

Oye como va

(Tito Puente cover)

I Wanna Be Your Man

(The Beatles cover)

Who Can It Be Now?

(Men at Work cover)

Hold the Line

(Toto cover)

Photograph

(Ringo Starr song)

Act Naturally

(Buck Owens cover)

With a Little Help From My Friends

(The Beatles cover) (with The Beach Boys) (with Give Peace a Chance snippet)