When Joan Baez Joined Ringo Starr at a Paris Concert
by Best Classic Bands Staff
Joan Baez, on stage with Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band, Paris, June 6, 2018. Steve Lukather is at left; Graham Gouldman at right
You open your first European tour in six years and another legend – in the same city for her own concerts – shows up and joins in on one of your signature songs. That’s what happened on June 6, 2018, in Paris when Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band opened their tour on the continent. During the finale – the Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends” – none other than Joan Baez joined the fun to sing along.
Baez was playing the same venue – L’Olympia – for a series of 10 concerts as part of her Fare Thee Well tour.
The 2018 All Starr Band included Colin Hay of Men at Work, Steve Lukather of Toto, Gregg Rolie of Santana and Journey, and Graham Gouldman of 10cc. On percussion and sax was Warren Ham and on drums Gregg Bissonette.
After the main set, which featured Beatles songs, many of Starr’s solo hits, and classic rock favorites from members of the All-Starr Band, the program closed, as usual, with the Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends.” After the song had begun, Baez arrived on stage where she remained for a little over a minute.
Watch Baez join the band at around the 35-second mark of “With a Little Help From My Friends”
At the time, both Baez and Starr were 77. (She was born Jan. 9, 1941; Ringo was born July 7, 1940.) “Thank you for being a great audience,” Ringo said, before he left the stage. “Remember, peace and love… peace and love.”
Watch a portion of the song from a different angle
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) June 6, 2018
2018 was a memorable year for Starr: he was knighted in a ceremony at London’s Buckingham Palace.
Watch “Boys,” “Don’t Pass Me By” and “Yellow Submarine” from that same performance
Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, June 6, 2018, L’Olympia, Paris, France, Setlist
Matchbox
It Don’t Come Easy
Dreadlock Holiday
Evil Ways
Rosanna
Down Under
Boys
Don’t Pass Me By
Yellow Submarine
I’m Not in Love
Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen
You’re Sixteen
Anthem
Who Can It Be Now?
The Things We Do For Love
Oye Como Va
I Wanna Be Your Man
Hold the Line
Photograph
Act Naturally
With a Little Help From My Friends/Give Peace a Chance
Related: Our Ringo review from later that year at Radio City Music Hall
Ringo and His All Starr Band are touring in 2023. Tickets available here and here.
Related: Listings for 100s of classic rock tours
1 Comment so far
Jump into a conversationChart position,never really cared about that concerning what I was listening to.I will be honest and say it did bring a smile to my face when I worked for Schwartz Bros.lifetime ago