Seeing Ringo Starr Live!

Hi friends! With Ringo getting ready to kick off his 2022 tour, I thought I would share my experience of seeing the drumming Beatle.

Let me take you back to June 4th, 2016, the day after my 16th birthday. Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band performed at the Seneca Casino in Salamanca, NY. I had received tickets as a birthday gift from my parents since The Beatles were (and still are) my favorite group of all-time.

Two of my best friends had joined me at the concert in Salamanca, NY, and we went out to dinner just hours before we saw Ringo for the first time. We arrived somewhat early to the venue to find our seats and soak up the excitement from all the Beatles fans in attendance. Our general admission tickets allowed us to sit in the bleachers in the back, but they were full so we managed to sit in the back of the floor section.

After what seemed like waiting for hours upon hours, the drumming Beatle walked out onto the large stage and before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face.

Ringo kicked off the night with “Matchbox”, a Carl Perkins song that The Beatles had recorded in 1964. He jumped to the front of the stage while the talented musicians alongside him did a wonderful job at supporting him and providing great instrumentals. Not only did Starr sound great all these years later, but he also looked fantastic as well. Over the 2-hour set list played, Starr sang many of his Beatles songs including, “What Goes On”, “Yellow Submarine”, “With a Little Help From My Friends”, and the only Lennon/McCartney/ Starkey composition, “Don’t Pass Me By”.

Not only was Ringo a great band leader, but also let the other “stars” take the center stage to highlight hit songs from their careers.Todd Rundgren took the front to sing his hits, “I Saw the Light” (which is one of my favorite songs), and “Bang The Drum All Day”.

Richard Page had also taken center stage to perform hit songs from “Mister Mister”. Page’s voice sounded absolutely incredible and was one of the high- lights for me of the night singing “Kyrie” and “Broken Wings”. His voice sounded like it did 30 years ago when the tracks first came out on the charts.

Another highlight for me was hearing songs that I had loved growing up. I danced and sang my heart out to songs from Toto such as “Rosanna”, “Hold the Line” and “Africa”. It just reminded me of the time my dad had introduced me to songs such as these. 

I was also very lucky to have the opportunity to get better seats and move closer to the stage. Halfway through the concert, my friend with came with me had friends who had also attended the concert. They happened to be in the center of the floor section, many rows in front of where we were. After exchanging a few texts, the three of us had snagged the 3 empty seats just a row in front of them, and that much closer to Ringo. I couldn’t believe it. The fact that I was this close to someone who I had admired for a handful of years and that has been such an inspiration to me was just something crazy to grasp.

This concert was so special to me, in many ways and will be one that I will never forget. It still took me the longest time to realize that I had seen an actual Beatle perform live in concert. 10-year-old Maddie probably would’ve never thought that this day would become a reality. The Beatles music continues to live on and be a joy to each and every generation that listens to them. It was such an amazing, fun concert and an overall amazing birthday.

AND this June 4th – the day after my 22nd birthday and exactly 6 years since I saw Ringo, I will be seeing Paul McCartney! I am beyond excited!

Peace out,
Maddie