Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band Thrill A Packed House In New Lenox
NEW LENOX, IL —Thousands filed into the New Lenox Commons Saturday for a chance of a lifetime for some, bucket list item for others, and a show for the New Lenox record books.
Some lined up as early as 8 a.m. to find a spot with the best view of a Beatle on a south suburban stage. Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band delivered a setlist that spliced in Beatles classics and hits from Starr’s bandmates’ groups. Starr sparkled behind the mic—bedazzled and star-spangled blazer shimmering under the lights—but also settled in at the drum set, humbly sharing the spotlight with his musical mates without skipping a beat.
Starr, 84, and his star-studded All Starr Band, comprised of Warren Ham (of “Kansas”), Edgar Winter, Steve Lukather (of “Toto”), Hamish Stuart (of “Average White Band”), Colin Hay (of “Men At Work”), and Gregg Bissonette of the David Lee Roth Band played to a sold-out crowd of a little more than 5,000, Mayor Tim Baldermann said. Seating spilled over into the parkway, and up unto the lawn in front of Village Hall—all concertgoers eager to see a rock legend on a local stage.
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Gates opened at 4:30 p.m. With Starr set to take the stage at 8 p.m., openers Raynes and Gooseberry helped the crowd wait it out through the heat and sun. Later, with the sun dipped down and a nearly full moon overhead, Starr strutted out to a sweaty and impatient, but yet overall ecstatic crowd. Phones were whipped out, glowing across the venue as fans captured the biggest act the Commons has ever seen.
The setlist opened with “Matchbox,” a Carl Perkins cover, then into Ringo’s “It Don’t Come Easy.” The third song, he stepped back from the mic and picked up his sticks, with Steve Lukather taking the lead on Toto’s “Rosanna.” Starr teased the crowd with intro beats of hits like “I Saw Her Standing There,” “Day Tripper,” and “She Loves You”—cheekily chiding “We’re not gonna play that one”—but got the crowd swaying with “Yellow Submarine.” He sprinkled in John Lennon’s “I’m The Greatest” with a nod to his former bandmate, and delighted with The Beatles’ “Octopus’s Garden.” Other hits played included Toto’s “Africa,” and Men at Work’s “Who Can It Be Now.” The list wrapped with “With A Little Help From My Friends.” (Find the full set list here, and below.)
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With nearly all listeners of a sold-out crowd in attendance, some logistical issues arose. The lawn was crowded and seats were sparse. It was quite hot, and the sun was blaring; people were uncomfortable and some, cranky. There had been changes in timing, differing from that seen on the tickets. Though communicated on social media and the Village website, some were still unaware. If you got there late, you had trouble finding a good view. Lines were long, and some tempers flared.
On the upside, vendors flew through their stock, seeing an incredibly successful night of sales. Samantha Hamilton, owner of Sugar Shack Cookie Co. in New Lenox, fielded customers’ requests for water when other places ran out, sending her staff to purchase a total of 40 cases.
“People were VERY hot and told us everyone else ran out of water ,” she said. “So we kept sending our crew … Walmart … Jewel.”
She was pleasantly surprised by customers’ kindness and patience.
“Last night at the Ringo Starr concert we had an absolute blast!” she shared on social media. “We had the opportunity to meet so many new customers, and the response was incredible—our line was non-stop from 4:30 p.m. until close!
It was Sugar Shack’s first appearance at the Village’s concert series.
“Definitely excited to be there,” Hamilton said, calling the crowd “incredibly sweet and kind.”
“… Last night was unforgettable,” she shared on social media, “and we are so very grateful!”
Hamilton—who created Beatles- and Starr-themed sweet treats for the event—sold nearly 600 sugar cookies, 47 pop tart pastries, 53 sundaes, 59 macarons, 43 oatmeal cream pies, 57 cake tins, 50 banana pudding, and 43 jumbo cookies.
“An insane amount of sugar cookies!” she remarked.
Arrowhead Ales Brewing Company owner Mike Bacon said the crowd was steady, and larger than what he’d remembered from previous years’ shows. Bacon has been a vendor at the Village’s concert series for eight years.
“This was the largest crowd I can remember,” he said “We were very busy, but I think our food service ran quite well with the large crowd. We had good quantity of most items up until Ringo took the stage. Had to make a run for water a couple of times to keep up.
“.. I’m thankful our Village puts on such great events and to be part of them.”
Some listeners seated further back in the venue said they struggled to hear the band, and suggested the Village add speakers further back from the stage, where a giant screen played a live-feed. To those who’d never been to a show at the Commons, the crowd might have seemed unwieldy; others likened it to past audiences for acts like ZZ Top. Some questioned the capacity of the Commons; others just seemed thrilled to be there.
“Having my first experience last night with a concert in the Commons, I have to say I was impressed with how well organized it was!” Jennifer Reedy Slewoski said. So a big thank you to the village! To get to see a freaking Beatle in that environment was truly a once in a lifetime thing!
“Colin, my 20-year-old with autism attended with me and with how well the event was organized he handled it like a champ!! We got in line at 3 p.m. and had a decent seat view, and he was in his glory! The only thing I can complain about is SOME concertgoers could have implemented Ringo’s philosophy of peace and love. … So many entitled people.”
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The crowd might have seemed larger because most who bought tickets actually attended, Baldermann said.
“… when we’ve sold out the Triple Play before, not everyone came to every concert,” he said.
Evergreen Park resident Bob Collins said he was thrilled to see such a legend on a local stage.
“… it’s my second year going,” he said, “and I’m always impressed with the talent they get on that stage.”
He also addressed some of the complaints on social media.
“It was an absolutely amazing night in the Commons!” he wrote. “All of our staff, volunteers and vendors worked a lot of hours to help make this show possible. The crowd was energetic and made our community proud. Ringo, his All Starrs, and their entire crew were very impressed with the evening.
“I know there will always be those that have something negative to say no matter what happens. Having that many people coming together to celebrate music, and our town, takes a lot of effort from those that give so much. I’m grateful for their efforts! For any legitimate concerns, we always strive to do better…”
Fans quickly took to social media to share photos and videos from the night.
“What a great night of entertainment,” one fan wrote. “Thank you to the Village of New Lenox and all the volunteers that made it happen. It was amazing.”
Baldermann said the Village thoroughly staffed the event with emergency response personnel and volunteers to help things run smoothly.
“I’m grateful for all the hard work our employees and volunteers put into the show to make it a huge success!” Baldermann said. “The sold-out crowd had a great time, as did Ringo and His All Starr Band. The past 15 years of great shows helped us land a legendary performer from the most influential rock band of all time.”
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