Ringo's All Starr Band
Mohegan Sun Casino - June 2, 1997
Ringo Starr
The fourth incarnation of Ringo’s All-Starr Band played to a sell-out crowd at the Mohegan Sun Casino on June 2, 1997. Ringo dubbed the tour “The Second British Invasion” because of his band members: Jack Bruce of Cream on bass, Peter Frampton on guitar, Gary Brooker of Procol Harum on keyboards, and Simon Kirke of Free/Bad Company on drums. Also along was session man Mark Rivera who handled percussion and saxophone duties.
The show started promptly at 8:30 and they rocked for two full hours to classic songs of The Beatles, Ringo, Cream, Frampton, Procol Harum, Bad Company, and Free. Ringo opened with It Don’t Come Easy followed by Act Naturally. Throughout the show he traded places between center stage when he sang his songs and back at his drum kit for the other band’s songs.
Jack Bruce led the band in a stirring rendition of Sunshine Of Your Love with Peter Frampton wailing out leads on guitar. Peter Frampton broke out with the guitar voice box on two songs, Baby I Love Your Way and Do You Feel Like We Do. Ringo referred to him as Peter - milk the audience - Frampton. Simon Kirke did one song each by Bad Company and Free - Shooting Star and Alright Now respectively. All six guys harmonized through Boys and had the entire audience on their feet. Ringo sang I’m The Greatest, a song written for him by John Lennon. During Jack Bruce’s solo, Peter Frampton lit a cigarette lighter like the fans do. And Gary Brooker had the crowd gasping during his long version of Whiter Shade of Pale. They closed out the evening with the appropriate song - A Little Help From My Friends.
These seasoned rock veterans really complimented each other while putting on an exciting show. There were young and old in attendance and all seemed to be singing, tapping their feet, or dancing along to the classics. It was refreshing to see a band enjoying themselves and each other.
Review and Photograph by Stephanie Perry