WASHINGTON – During his concert with the All Starr Band, Ringo Starr paused to connect with a fan in the audience who was holding up a sign.

“I agree!” he beamed, showcasing the white poster that declared, “Ringo for President 2024.”

This playful suggestion seems almost possible, despite the small hiccup that Starr hails from Liverpool, England—particularly given the devotion he garners from millions worldwide, including the 3,000+ fans who filled The Anthem in D.C. on Tuesday.

Starr is currently on the autumn leg of his tour with the All Starrs, which kicked off this round in May and will conclude on September 25 in New York.

These compilation tours, which began in 1989 and continued with a changing lineup of recognizable names each bringing their own famous tracks, are still a unique concept. Why not put the legendary Beatles drummer together with a mix of talented musicians who love to have just as much fun onstage?

This latest group features an impressive array of talent: Colin Hay (guitar; Men at Work), Steve Lukather (guitar; Toto), Warren Ham (horns, percussion, flute; Kansas), Hamish Stuart (bass; Average White Band), Gregg Bissonette (drums; David Lee Roth), and Buck Johnson (keyboards; Aerosmith).

The concert, spanning 19 songs over 100 minutes, drew an audience of all ages eager to stand, record, and sing along with Ringo’s classic Beatles hits like “Yellow Submarine,” and “Octopus’s Garden,” along with solo favorites such as “It Don’t Come Easy” and “Photograph.”

“For those who don’t know any of these songs… God help you,” Starr quipped at the start of the show.

Ringo Starr remains an ageless talent

A lively rendition of Carl Perkins’ rockabilly hit “Matchbox” opened the night, quickly followed by the energetic Starr, who bounded onto the stage with peace signs and settled in for his song, “It Don’t Come Easy.”

At 84, Starr, dressed in rockstar-black pants and jacket over a T-shirt depicting—of course—a peace sign, showed the advantages of his healthy lifestyle as he sway-danced all over the stage and even jogged to his drum riser during “Back Off Boogaloo” to keep the rhythm with Bissonette.

For most of the concert, Starr remained onstage, stepping away only to “have a cup of tea.” In his absence, his talented bandmates displayed their skills with a lively rendition of Average White Band’s “Cut the Cake” and featured Bissonette in a medley of classic rock hits, including “We Will Rock You,” “Rock and Roll,” and a brilliant mix of drum segments from “Golden Slumbers”/”Carry That Weight”/”The End” along with Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher.”

Men at Work and Toto favorites shine at the Ringo Starr show

While it’s heartwarming to see a Beatle perform Beatles classics, the charm of these All Starr Band shows lies in their approachability.

Three standout moments came from the brilliant discographies of Hay and Lukather, who played like a seasoned professional whose guitar is featured on over 1,500 recordings.

The engaging Hay shared a funny story about hearing Men at Work songs in a CVS while waiting to fill his prescriptions, and then powered through a gripping version of “Overkill,” spotlighting Ham’s captivating tenor sax notes and his own impressive mastery during the song’s dynamic key change.

Later in the concert, the energetic performance of “Who Can It Be Now?”—a saxophone-infused story about the struggle for peace amid paranoia—kept the audience on their feet as they enthusiastically sang along.

The crowd was already buzzing thanks to a captivating rendition of Toto’s classic “Africa.” The band delivered a vibrant performance, with Ham showcasing his skills on the congas, flute, and tenor sax, bringing a timeless melody to life.

Of course, Starr closed the show with his iconic songs, including the catchy “Photograph,” and playfully stated, “If you’re not familiar with this next tune, you’ve come to the wrong place.”

“With a Little Help From My Friends,” performed in front of vibrant yellow flowers on the screen behind the band, drew playful singing from the crowd. The most delightful aspect was the band’s evident enjoyment while performing this cherished anthem of unity, just as much as the audience loved singing its message.