Sometimes you don’t pick the kind of music you like, it picks you. You’re not sure why but your foot starts a tappin and there’s an electrical impulse keeping an internal timing. It used to be that when I thought of music, it was all Rock & Roll. It wasn’t as much of a desire as it was a natural gravitation and somehow resonated within me.

Eventually my taste in music started to expand to including a newer genre called Southern Rock. Of course, Southern Rock is a Sub-Genre of R & R and was heavily influenced by Country Music and the Blues but still kept its focus on those six strings. In that narrow band of thinking, there wasn’t any room for a horn section or a supporting vocal section. In fact, there isn’t any room for any instrument that didn’t have the leadership of those six strings. (You want to add a piano? Seriously?)

Over time, I warmed up to the idea of listening to different instruments that were being featured by these new bands that I was listening to. The additional depth and creative direction of the music expanded the genre of music I started to enjoy. (Oh crap, is that a freaking diatonic western free reed wind instrument?) I spent countless hours seeking out an enjoying the addition of these “new” instruments. But, not in MY band.

Today, there are very few genres that I don’t own and appreciate. However, it depends on my mood as to when I listen. But, I know that I truly need the entire eclectic mix of music that I now have.

Having played in bands for many many years, it seems they all had two things in common:

• They were all comprised of: Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Bass and Drums.
• They were all real LOUD. (The key to success)

With all that being said, if I was putting a band together today, it might look a bit like this:

WARREN HAM – Saxophone / Vocals / Flute / Harmonica / Keyboards / Percussion

Ok, I guess it won’t hurt to put a real versatile artist in the band. Is there anything he can’t play? I’m sorry to say that I wasn’t as familiar with Warren as I should have been, so I had to look him up. I am familiar with who he has played with which includes Kansas, Toto, Donna Summer, Olivia Newton-John and Ringo Starr.  Ok, he’s in the band. We’re not gonna need any backtracking.

STEVE LUKATHER – Lead Guitar / Vocals

Early one morning, the alarm clock radio went off and I heard a new song. I called the DJ to inquire as to who it was and was told it was “Rosanna” by a band called TOTO. Later that day I found myself running down to Tower Records and bought the album TOTO IV. Hold the line, how did I miss the other III?

Early on Steve was a session player known for his melodic and intense style. His session work made him one of the most sought-after guitarists in LA and his work appears on over 1,500 albums with a wide range of performers including Michael Jackson, Boz Scaggs, Aretha Franklin and Warren Zevon,  Named by Gibson Guitar as one of the Top 10 session guitarists of all time. Yep, he’s in.

GREGG BISSONETTE – Drummer

Getting a break by joining The David Lee Roth Band (Van Halen) led to joining the Joe Satriani Band and Electric Light Orchestra. From there he started playing double drums in Ringo and The Roundheads. He later played with Steve Lukather on his solo album “Transition. (Seems to be a theme here)

His discography is long and extensive and he has several Television soundtracks as well as Movie soundtracks.  He’s been in Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band since 2008.

EDGAR WINTER – Keyboards / Vocals / Saxophone

What kind of R & R band would ever write a song that features mostly an instrumental solo on keyboards? (Frankenstein) Why not feature your brother? Never mind, that’s Ronnie Montrose on guitar. What’s next, some Sax and more percussion? But dang, I kinda like it. An album with some variety. I may have to listen again.

Winter is largely credited with inventing the keyboard body strap^[3] early in his career, an innovation that allows him the freedom to move around on stage during his multi-instrument high-energy performances. As the brother of blues singer / guitarist Johnny, he learned how to read and write music as well as mastering numerous instruments.

COLIN HAY – Guitar / Vocals

In 1984, the man from the land Down Under, was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame as a member of Men at Work. The Scottish-Australian singer, songwriter actor grew up in a small music shop owned by his parents. He has been nominated by the Australian Music Awards for Best Songwriter (1982) and Songwriter of the Year in 1983. His acting credits equal his music credits but spending his entire life around music has allowed him continued success.

HAMISH STUART – Guitar / Bass / Vocals / Writer / Producer

I might be nice to stick someone in the band that used to play with one of the Beatles. Hammish spent many of his formative years playing in the Average White Band. All the while he was also writing songs for Smokey Robinson, Jeffery Osborne, George Benson and Diana Ross. He later joined Paul McCartney’s band to record and tour. Now we have a band.

RINGO STARR – Drums / Vocals

I’m not sure what someone can say about the Beatles or Ringo that hasn’t already been written but perhaps you didn’t know that painting is his madness too!

Even if you weren’t a fan of the Beatles and their music, it would be hard to argue the bands enormous influence on not only music, but on culture itself. I guess if I’m gonna lose my all-star band, I may as well lose it to an Ex-Beatle. Ringo not only played with the most influential bands in modern history but has enjoyed many years of playing with each of these great artists.

As I was shooting the show, I couldn’t help but notice how Ringo actually featured each of the band members and backed them up while they played some of their own hits. Recognizing and showcasing those that have earned their own success by including them early in the set list is just called class. He promised all those in attendance that night that they would all recognize at least two songs. He may have been off a bit as everyone seemed to recognize all of them and share their appreciation by singing along..

Having shot hundreds of bands over the years I sense something a bit different in the crowd at each show and each venue. Call it a mood or just an apprehensive anticipation but it hangs in the air. Tonight, the crowd at Humphreys, (One of my favorite All-Time Venues) seemed to be in a “respectful reverence” mood. There were those in attendance way too young to maybe even have heard of the Beatles but they knew the songs. We don’t know who they are but “They” say to be great, it must stand the test of time. The music of the Beatles has certainly done that.

Thanks for putting the ALL STARR band together Ringo. Now I have to start all over with my search. But, do we really need another Drummer?…………

b / BackStage360