25 October 2015 · Ringo Starr · Live concerts
Ringo Starr returns to New Brunswick
On Sunday, 25 October 2015, Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band performed at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The concert brought Beatles favourites, Ringo’s solo recordings and the signature songs of his fellow musicians together on one stage.
It was the 35th performance in a 39-date 2015 itinerary spanning February to October. The New Brunswick appearance came immediately after Foxwoods Resort Casino on 24 October, with Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Upper Darby and Brooklyn still to follow.
Concert facts
| Date | Sunday, 25 October 2015 |
|---|---|
| Venue | State Theatre, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA |
| Tour | 12th All-Starr Band, 2015 itinerary |
| Position in itinerary | 35th of 39 dates |
| Earlier State Theatre visits | 24 May 2000 and 5 July 2010 |
A familiar theatre, a different All-Starr chapter
The State Theatre was already part of Ringo’s touring history. He had appeared there in 2000 and returned on 5 July 2010. The 2015 concert added another chapter to that relationship, this time with the musicians associated with the 12th All-Starr Band.
The All-Starr idea is deliberately different from a conventional solo concert. Ringo is the host and the central link, but his colleagues also take turns leading songs from their own careers. The result moves between Beatles history, Ringo’s independent recordings and several strands of American rock and pop.
The 2015 All-Starr Band
- Ringo Starr: vocals, drums and percussion.
- Steve Lukather: guitar and vocals, bringing songs associated with Toto.
- Gregg Rolie: keyboards, organ and vocals, bringing material associated with Santana.
- Todd Rundgren: vocals, guitar and other instruments, including songs from his solo and Utopia catalogues.
- Richard Page: bass, vocals and acoustic guitar, including Mr. Mister favourites.
- Warren Ham: saxophone, keyboards and vocals.
- Gregg Bissonette: drums, percussion and vocals.
Lukather’s guitar, Rolie’s organ, Page’s bass and vocals, and Rundgren’s contrasting material gave the set its variety. Ham added instrumental and vocal support, while Bissonette helped anchor the rhythm section alongside Ringo. The shared-drummer arrangement allowed Starr to move between playing behind the band and singing at the front of the stage.
Beatles songs and Ringo’s solo identity
“Matchbox” opened the documented set, followed by “It Don’t Come Easy” and “Island in the Sun”. That opening quickly established both sides of the evening: the singer familiar from the Beatles and the artist who continued recording and touring long after the group ended.
The Beatles selections included “Boys”, “Don’t Pass Me By”, “Yellow Submarine”, “I Wanna Be Your Man” and “Act Naturally”. These songs carried different aspects of Ringo’s musical identity, from early rock and roll and country influences to the unmistakable communal chorus of “Yellow Submarine”.
His solo career was represented by “Photograph”, “You’re Sixteen”, “I’m the Greatest” and “It Don’t Come Easy”. “Island in the Sun” provided a contemporary connection to Postcards From Paradise, released on 31 March 2015.
Explore Ringo Starr merchandise
Ringo’s peace-sign imagery remains closely associated with his public persona. Explore this Ringo-specific design at Beatles Fabdom.
Hits shared across the band
The other All-Starrs were integral to the programme rather than simply accompanying Ringo. Lukather led “Rosanna”, “Africa” and “Hold the Line”, while Page brought “Kyrie”, “Broken Wings” and “You Are Mine”. Rolie’s selections included “Evil Ways”, “Black Magic Woman”, “Gypsy Queen” and “Oye Cómo Va”. Rundgren contributed “I Saw the Light”, “Bang the Drum All Day” and “Love Is the Answer”.
That exchange of lead roles is what gives an All-Starr show its distinctive shape. Familiar Ringo songs sit beside music with different rhythms, vocal textures and guitar or keyboard sounds. The common thread is the band itself, supporting each musician in turn.
Concert setlist: 25 October 2015
The following list separates “Black Magic Woman” and “Gypsy Queen”, while treating the closing “Give Peace a Chance” refrain as part of the finale. Other setlist sources combine the first pair, so item totals can differ without indicating a different performance.
- Matchbox
- It Don’t Come Easy
- Island in the Sun
- I Saw the Light — Todd Rundgren
- Evil Ways — Gregg Rolie
- Rosanna — Steve Lukather
- Kyrie — Richard Page
- Bang the Drum All Day — Todd Rundgren
- Boys
- Don’t Pass Me By
- Yellow Submarine
- Black Magic Woman — Gregg Rolie
- Gypsy Queen — Gregg Rolie
- You’re Sixteen
- I’m the Greatest
- You Are Mine — Richard Page
- Africa — Steve Lukather
- Oye Cómo Va — Gregg Rolie
- I Wanna Be Your Man
- Love Is the Answer — Todd Rundgren
- Broken Wings — Richard Page
- Hold the Line — Steve Lukather
- Photograph
- Act Naturally
- With a Little Help From My Friends, ending with a Give Peace a Chance refrain
The State Theatre location
The State Theatre is in downtown New Brunswick, New Jersey. The map below identifies the theatre rather than a specific entrance or seating area.
Complete 2015 All-Starr Band itinerary
All 39 dates are listed below. Existing Beatles Fabdom concert articles are linked; the remaining dates are plain text, ready for future articles.
February and March 2015
- 13 February 2015: Horseshoe, Bossier City, USA
- 14 February 2015: UT Tyler Cowan Center, Tyler, USA
- 15 February 2015: BJCC Concert Hall, Birmingham, USA
- 17 February 2015: Peace Center, Greenville, USA
- 18 February 2015: Sunrise Theatre, Fort Pierce, USA
- 21 February 2015: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
- 22 February 2015: Coliseo de Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- 24 February 2015: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota, USA
- 26 February 2015: HSBC Brasil, São Paulo, Brazil
- 27 February 2015: Vivo Rio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- 1 March 2015: Planetario Galileo Galilei, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- 3 March 2015: Movistar Arena, Santiago, Chile
- 6 March 2015: Centro Comercial Bima Outlet Autopista Norte, Bogotá, Colombia
- 8 March 2015: Coliseo Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
- 10 March 2015: Auditorio Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
- 14 March 2015: Pala Casino, Pala, USA
- 15 March 2015: Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, USA
October 2015
- 1 October 2015: Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium, San Francisco, USA
- 2 October 2015: Vina Robles Amphitheatre, Paso Robles, USA
- 3 October 2015: Sonoma Music Festival, Sonoma, USA
- 6 October 2015: CenturyLink Arena, Boise, USA
- 8 October 2015: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, Victoria, Canada
- 9 October 2015: Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver, Canada
- 10 October 2015: South Okanagan Events Centre, Penticton, Canada
- 12 October 2015: Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Edmonton, Canada
- 13 October 2015: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary, Canada
- 14 October 2015: Brandt Centre, Regina, Canada
- 16 October 2015: State Theatre, Minneapolis, USA
- 17 October 2015: Riverside Theater, Milwaukee, USA
- 18 October 2015: Fox Theatre, Detroit, USA
- 20 October 2015: Massey Hall, Toronto, Canada
- 21 October 2015: Théâtre Saint-Denis, Montreal, Canada
- 23 October 2015: Citi Performing Arts Center, Boston, USA
- 24 October 2015: Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, USA
- 25 October 2015: State Theatre, New Brunswick, USA
- 27 October 2015: Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh, USA
- 28 October 2015: Lyric Opera House, Baltimore, USA
- 30 October 2015: Tower Theater, Upper Darby, USA
- 31 October 2015: Kings Theatre, Brooklyn, New York City, USA
Another Ringo design to explore
Frequently asked questions
When did Ringo Starr play New Brunswick in 2015?
He performed with his All-Starr Band at the State Theatre on Sunday, 25 October 2015.
Where did this show fall in the tour?
It was the 35th performance in the 39-date 2015 itinerary.
Who were the All-Starr musicians?
The documented lineup was Ringo Starr, Steve Lukather, Gregg Rolie, Todd Rundgren, Richard Page, Warren Ham and Gregg Bissonette.
Why does the artwork name Mark Rivera?
The supplied promotional artwork shows an earlier lineup. Warren Ham, not Mark Rivera, appears in the documented 2015 touring lineup.
Which Beatles songs were performed?
The set included Boys, Don’t Pass Me By, Yellow Submarine, I Wanna Be Your Man, Act Naturally and With a Little Help From My Friends, as well as Matchbox, which Ringo also sang with the Beatles.
Had Ringo performed at the State Theatre before?
Yes. Earlier appearances took place on 24 May 2000 and 5 July 2010.
Remembering 25 October 2015
The New Brunswick concert captured the All-Starr approach: Ringo’s personality and Beatles legacy at the centre, surrounded by musicians with their own distinctive songs. The evening linked early rock and roll, Beatles singalongs, solo hits and the repertoire of his fellow performers, before a finale built around friendship and peace.
Continue with the previous night at Foxwoods, revisit Ringo’s 2010 State Theatre concert, or explore the On This Day in Beatles History archive.
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