Beatles drummer Ringo Starr to hit Tel Aviv in June
77-year-old rocker to play Israel with his All Starr band on European tour in support of new album ‘Give More Love’
Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Legendary Beatles musician Ringo Starr on Tuesday formally announced he is to perform in Israel on June 23 at Tel Aviv’s Menora Mivtachim arena.
Starr will perform with his All Starr band, as part of a 21-date European tour in support of his latest album “Give More Love,” which was released in September.
“The dream is still unfolding,” the 77-year-old rock star said in October. “I love to play, and I love to play with this band. I can’t say that enough, and we’re on the road again,” People Magazine reported.
Each show features a performance of the classic “With A Little Help From My Friends,” his signature song from the “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts club Band” album, and “Give Peace A Chance.”
His band for this tour will include Colin Hay (vocals, ex-Men at Work), Graham Gouldman (bass, ex-10CC), Steve Lukather (guitar, ex-Toto), Gregg Rolie (keyboards, ex-Santana), Warren Ham (saxophone) and Gregg Bissonette (drums, ex-David Lee Roth band).
Although his website also lists another Tel Aviv concert the next day, on June 24, the promoter has so far only confirmed one performance, Channel 2 reported.
Tickets for Ringo Starr go on sale on Thursday at *2007, with tickets starting from NIS 259.
Starr was never a flashy drummer, but he fit the Beatles’ approach perfectly, playing with uncanny style and imagination as the band’s music branched out from its early American rock influences. The drum parts in “Ticket to Ride,” ”Rain,” and “Strawberry Fields Forever” are all seen as masterful contributions to timeless songs.
The famed drummer has never performed in Israel before, though fellow Beatle Paul McCartney performed in Yarkon Park in 2008.
Famously the Israeli government refused to allow the Beatles to perform in the country in 1965, “for fear that the performances by the Beatles are liable to have a negative influence on the youth.”
After the promoter appealed, the government committee launched an investigation, and found “the band has no artistic merit” and its performances “cause hysteria and mass disorder among young people.”
Born Richard Starkey, the Liverpudlian recently received a knighthood for services to music. McCartney, who reportedly has long lobbied for the drummer to be honored, tweeted his congratulations.
“Huge congrats Sir Ringo! Sir Richard Starkey has a nice ring to it. Best drummer best pal! X Paul”
Huge congrats Sir Ringo! Sir Richard Starkey has a nice ring to it. Best drummer best pal! X Paul pic.twitter.com/ew5PuxhEv1
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) December 30, 2017
AP contributed to this report.
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