Music

Ringo Starr and The All Starr Band Light Up Chevalier Theater

Medford, MA • September 18, 2024

On September 18th, I had the privilege of photographing Ringo Starr and his formidable All Starr Band at Medford’s historic Chevalier Theater. Though it was my first time inside this beautifully restored venue, the sense of occasion was magnified by the fact that it marked my third time seeing Ringo perform live. Each experience has offered something unique, but this night felt especially electric.

The All Starr Band is a supergroup in the truest sense, featuring music legends who themselves have left indelible marks on the soundtrack of our lives. Steve Lukather of Toto, Colin Hay of Men At Work, Warren Ham (Kansas, Toto), Hamish Stuart of Average White Band, and the phenomenal Gregg Bissonette on drums—each brought their own iconic energy and musical legacy to the stage. The result was a setlist brimming with classic hits and clever deep cuts, making the concert feel less like a single-band showcase and more like a jubilant celebration of the golden era of rock and pop.

The evening kicked off with a burst of nostalgia as the band launched into Carl Perkins’s “Matchbox,” a tune Ringo famously covered with The Beatles in 1964. The audience was immediately swept up in the groove, and the momentum never let up. Ringo followed up with his signature solo song “Photograph,” its bittersweet melody ringing through the theater, before handing the spotlight to Lukather for Toto’s arena anthem “Rosanna.” Beatles classics were interwoven throughout the night—“With a Little Help From My Friends,” “Yellow Submarine,” and a particularly joyful “Octopus’s Garden”—each song met with enthusiastic singalongs from fans of all ages.

The magic of the All Starr Band format is how seamlessly it weaves the musical histories of its members. The crowd roared for Toto’s “Africa,” danced to Men At Work’s “Who Can It Be Now,” and grooved to Average White Band’s “Pick Up the Pieces.” Ringo’s own “I’m the Greatest” and “Back Off Boogaloo”—personal favorites of mine—added depth and sparkle to an already dazzling set.

What struck me most was the energy radiating from the stage. Ringo, at 84, is as charismatic and spry as ever. His drumming remains effortless, imbued with the same distinctive swing that defined the Beatles’ sound, while his joy is genuinely infectious. When not seated behind his kit, he was up front, dancing with abandon and leading the crowd with a grin that never once faltered. It’s plain to see that music is not just a calling for Ringo and his bandmates—it’s a lifelong love, one that radiates outward and envelops the entire audience.

The communal spirit was impossible to miss. People of every generation filled the seats—from lifelong fans who grew up alongside The Beatles, to kids barely old enough to reach their seats, all singing along with every song. The agelessness of this music, and the enduring relevance of Ringo and his band, is a testament to how truly timeless their artistry is.

On a personal note, as someone who’s cherished Beatles records since childhood, being able to photograph and witness this show felt like a triumphant full-circle moment. I left the Chevalier Theater feeling deeply thankful—to Ringo, his incredible band, and the team that made it possible—for an unforgettable night that underscored just how much this music continues to matter.

In a world that’s constantly changing, a concert like this is a reminder: great songs, played with joy and shared by legends, are eternal. Ringo Starr and The All Starr Band delivered not just a concert, but a celebration of music’s power to unite, uplift, and endure.