Ringo Starr's Timeless Message Of Peace And Love

Ringo's July 12, 2008 All Starr show at Mount Pleasant's Soaring Eagle Casino was so unexpectedly uplifting - just so much fun - the $75 per ticket spent for middle-range seating are already undeniably the best concert dollars I'll spend this year. Why?

Because my preoccupied midlife perspective frequently gets in my way of seeing the world properly anymore. The idea of "nostalgia" concerts conflicts me: technically, I'm the right demographic, but being reminded that the best-loved songs of my childhood and youth are now oldies can still be hard to take. Now I'm just sorry I waited so long to give in to the All Starr tours.

Here's the magic: Ringo is timeless. He just turned 68, but who could guess? He drummed and sang, danced and waved, flashed the peace sign until it he made it contagious He loves his fans and, as he stands there before you, you know it. Whether you're an oldie yourself, who loyally bought every Beatle or Ringo recording as it was released, or a 6-year-old scrambling on to your grandfather's shoulders to get a better view of the man who brought you Yellow Submarine, everyone is embraced. The diversity of the crowd Ringo attracted that night was as interesting to take in as the show itself.

And how can you not sing? As All Starr band member Colin Hay (Men at Work) asked, "If you can't sing on a Saturday night, then when can you?" I never sing, yet that night, I couldn't stop - and I realized I must've learned the lyrics to many of the songs before I was old enough to have any real problems in life, back when it was just me and my radio... or my beloved record player. Suddenly, I found myself in the presence of the musicians who kept me company during my dreamier - or sometimes more lonely - years. I was transported and unable to shake the strange sensation of being reunited with such good, old friends.

I'd wondered in advance if the variegated All Starr line-up would be disorienting - it wasn't. Of course, I like listening to my music on shuffle, too, so moving around from Ringo to Gary Wright to Hamish Stuart (Average White Band) seemed just right. And did I ever think I'd see or hear or feel such an impressive stage rendition of Frankenstein? No, it was never on my list of things to do in life, but do consider adding it to yours while it's out there - Edgar Winter swept the audience to its feet for one of the most spontaneous standing ovations I've ever witnessed.

When band members smoothly switched between their roles as featured front men and solid back-up musicians, it was easy to understand exactly why Ringo called each one "a star in his own right." As individual artists, each one is more talented than I realized and, as a group, their synergy just builds. Billy Squier credited Ringo as "the best boss in show business" and everyone's nonstop performances from the heart underscored the declaration. George Harrison was there in spirit, remembered as a special friend by Gary Wright and serenaded by Ringo.

Ringo was also promoting the work of The Lotus Foundation. A table featuring personal artwork he created and donated to the foundation for its own fundraising purposes was set up in the back of the concert hall. The Lotus Foundation's "primary objectives are to offer financial aid and assistance to facilitate family and child welfare, women's issues, animal protection, addiction recovery and education. The objectives of the foundation are to fund, support, participate in and promote charitable projects aiming at advancing social welfare in diverse areas including, but not limited to: substance abuse, cerebral palsy, brain tumors, cancer, battered women and their children, homelessness and animals in need" (The Lotus Foundation website, http://www.lotusfoundation.com/The_Lotus_Foundation.html).

I walked away from this concert rejuvenated by two healthy realizations: 1) getting old isn't so bad - Ringo reminded me how thoughts of one's past are best used to guide one back to action in the potentially amazing "now" - the gift we can find at our feet anytime, if we just look; 2) peace and love messages are too few and far between. While depressing nightly news reports must be considered and digested, and angry art definitely has its place in the scheme of expression, we can't forget to take serious breaks from all the static, count our blessings, and discover how we can positively impact others' lives. It's especially important during stressful, fear-driven times to bravely participate in simple acts of peace and love - and to have fun. Ringo's message has never been more relevant.