Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band - The Album

The Album

After taking a hiatus from his solo career following 1983's Old Wave, Starr spent the next few years making TV appearances and guesting on other artists' recordings and gigs, as well as recording an album that would remain unissued. In 1988, however, he and wife Barbara Bach accepted that they both were suffering from alcoholism and took steps to rehabilitate themselves. Once Starr was sober, he felt the need to work again. Before delving into an album, he wanted to hit the road first - but with a difference. Always one to include friends, Starr concocted the All-Starr Band, an ever-changing live line-up of musicians that would back Starr up, in addition to each performing a song or two themselves.

Booking himself on the road from July to September 1989, Starr was accompanied by Dr. John, Joe Walsh, Billy Preston, The Band's Levon Helm and Rick Danko, Nils Lofgren, Clarence Clemons, and session drummer Jim Keltner. The shows were often sold out and were well received. The performance contained here was recorded on the closing nights of the US tour at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.

Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band was released through EMI in the fall of 1990 (Starr's first association with his first label since 1975). In the US however, Rykodisc assumed the distribution of the album. Failing to chart, the release would ultimately be deleted some years later. A limited edition deluxe version included a bonus CD with additional songs.