I’m disappointed that I can’t find a clip of the Muppet band, Geri and the Atrics, playing “Hound Dog.” A photo will have to suffice.
I wanted to play some Geri and the Atrics in honor of former Beatle Ringo Starr, who turns a rockin’ 68 years old today. I tease only because I love! Just last month, I saw Ringo perform with his All-Starr Band at Radio City Music Hall. This was the third time I’ve seen Ringo himself; the lineup of the band changes from year to year.
Click to enlarge. The blur in the middle is Ringo. To the right, Billy Squier.
Craptastic photo by WendyB
Ringo’s band always includes musicians beloved by fellow geriatrics like me and MrB. Past bands have included Sheila E. and the Zombies’ Rod Argent. A newcomer this year was Men at Work’s Colin Hay, who sang Down Under.
I totally enjoyed Colin, even though I had a senior moment when he was first introduced and was bracing myself for Men Without Hats’ Safety Dance. If Ringo told me to enjoy Safety Dance, I probably would have, but I was still relieved I didn’t have to.
Two holdovers from the last time were Billy Squier (who covered a cover of one of his songs that he saw on YouTube) and fantastically-coiffed, albino ,Texan musician Edgar Winter. Edgar is 61 years old, with the energy of a 21-year-old. A 21-year-old who’s been mainlining Red Bull.
Click to enlargeEdgar Winter can rock the house, kick your ass and kiss your mama without breaking a sweat.
Craptastic photo by WendyB
Winter was one of the big reasons I wanted to catch this tour again. If you ever have the opportunity to see him live, do it! His performance (keyboards, sax AND drums) of his instrumental Frankenstein shouldn’t be missed.
As for Ringo himself, the man has it all figured out. He comes out, sings a bunch of big hits, makes everyone scream his name, then goes offstage while the band members perform their solos. Inquiring minds want to know what he’s doing backstage. Taking a nap? Watching some TV? Having a snack? Googling himself and finding the WendyB blog? OMG!!!! Hi, Ringo!!!!
(Pssst! No one tell Ringo that I named an ornery Shih Tzu after him when I was about 14. What?! “John Taylor” seemed too long!)
Anyway, all Ringo wants for his birthday is for everyone to say “peace and love” at noon today. Sorry, Ringo. I would feel silly doing that. I promise to silently sing “Safety Dance” to myself instead.
Ringo Starr: Photograph, Act Naturally, It Don’t Come Easy
Bill Squier: Stroke, Rock Me Tonite, Everybody Wants You, In the Dark
Sheila E.: Glamorous Life
Zombies: Time of the Season, She’s Not There
Rod Argent: Hold Your Head Up
Men at Work: Down Under, Who Can It Be Now?
Edgar Winter: Frankenstein
Average White Band: Pick Up the Pieces
Gary Wright: Dream Weaver
Men Without Hats: Safety Dance
Embassingly enough I loved Saftey Dance when I was a little tacker…Thanks for the memories!!!
Check out some of Edgar’s other stuff too, much of it better than “Frankenstein” actually. He and Johnny could really rock the blues back in the day.
Great song choices. I am certainly a fan of Ringo’s and will pause at noon for love and peace and sing the safety dance also 🙂
That sounded like a fun night. I wish I’d been there amongst the geriatrics; Mr.OM and I would have fit in well!
Great photos.
Afraid i’ve gone off Ringo a bit since I saw him giving a very arrogant sounding interview on the Jonathan Ross show… ’twas cringey stuff….
sheila e. is one of my heroes.
i had a very thoughtful comment, but blogger ate it, and now it’s time for dins…
*heart* ringo starr!
Sounds like a great concert. Miss J didn’t realize Edgar Winter was still gigging. His “Frankenstein” is on Miss J’s Halloween playlist. Peace and Love to you, WendyB.
BB, maybe I liked it too, but let’s keep that between us.
DP, I have quite a lot of both of them on my iPod. They’re amazing.
Lady Language, I think I’m going to ask everyone to sing Safety Dance on my birthday from now on.
ENC, but we’re all young at heart, right?
Susie, if you can’t be arrogant after being a Beatle, when CAN you be arrogant?
FH, she was awesome. I was hoping she’d be there again this time.
Jennine, damn Blogger for depriving me of your wit and wisdom!
MissJ, and a happy Safety Dance to you!
Wow, covering someone covering your own song. That’s so … metamusical.
Colin Hay showed up on an early episode of Scrubs and re-endeared himself to me. What a cutie.
Wait…Ringo Starr was in the Zombies???
Sal, I missed that episode! Darn.
Isabel, no! Rod Argent was in the Zombies.
Aww Happy Birthday Ringo!
68!..I agree with what you answered Susie Bubble…If you were a Beatle you can’t be judge if your arrogant. haha you are allowed to be
Cracow is a beautiful city! I’m sure you will love it:)
have fun there, Alice:)
Strokin’, strokin! Stroke! Stroke!
That song sums up my teenage years better than anything not named “Portnoy’s Complaint.” Plus, Billy Squier’s version rocks way harder.
Back to the 80’s…Billy Squier is awesome…and now thanks to your reminder, I’m blowing out my eardrums listening to Stroke.
^^I’m addicted to Rock Me Tonite. I’ve been listening to that one ever since the 2007 show!
You’re one high-living, life-loving, lucky gal, WendyB. Seen Ringo three times! Wow! And I cannot believe that he’s 68 or that Edgar Winter is ever-lovin’61. Don’t ask me why–I’m 60, and it only makes sense, logically, that they’d be those ages. But some things just don’t really register logically, now do they? Thanks for this post!
Lynette, I’m sure you could rock as hard as any of these guys, but I bet Mama would kick everyone’s ass!
oh my gosh I hate the song “down under.” Ugh they played it nonstop at the south pacific/australian-themed water park where I used to work.
the rest sounds fun though!! yay ringo!
From that lineup, it seems like Ringo has some excellent musicians this tour! I like all of them.
I used to think that Men Without Hats song said: “…it’s safe to dance…” until I knew the title of the song of course!
Great post! Fabulous and funny as always!!