Starr-y Night

Yes, folks, the long awaited Ringo concert arrived!




As if the day of the concert wasn't exciting enough, we had some more excitement added to it. First, we received a phone call from Non and Bop, letting us know that one of their friends thought it was so important that Aidan's MOM got to go the concert that she would help purchase a ticket. Purchase a ticket for a sold out show? After lots of begging and pleading with the Mystic Lake Box office and I was in! We all sat together (Aidan in our laps - actually standing up in front of the seats and dancing/drumming...but more on that later.)

And no, we didn't get to meet him, but there was some excitement on that front too. At about 5:30 a friend of ours who had been trying to get us some face time with Ringo called and frantically said "I need the YouTube link! He wants to see it!!!" I replied. "WHO wants to see it?" She said, "RINGO!" Turns out she got one degree away from him, to his publicist, who was pushing for a meeting. He was interested enough to want to watch the YouTube footage of Aidan drumming. The publicist said we had a 50/50 chance depending on a lot of things. We never got the phone call, which we don't take personally seeing that 1.) The poor guy has been chased (literally) by fans for 50 years 2.) He is 68 years old 3.) The band was on its fourth night of touring in four different cities 4.) He's a Beatle! He did no meet and greet whatsoever. I am happy enough knowing that the Big Guy himself has seen footage of my son drumming. Aidan was fried by the end of the night, so if we'd had a meeting, I don't think it would have gone well anyway. I like to just imagine Ringo watching it and saying "How cool is that?" with his cute Liverpudlian accent the way he does on his video updates on his website. Aidan has no idea we were trying to meet him, but does know that Ringo watched it. And that seems to be enough for him.

So we suited him up and drove to Mystic Lake.
























The costume was a hit with everyone. We got a lot of compliments and questions about it.











The concert was AWESOME. Ringo had a great band, including Billy Squire, Colin Hay ("Land Down Under") and Gary Wright ("Dreamweaver"). He didn't steal the spotlight, but gave everyone in the band a chance to perform their hits as well. Ringo picked songs to please the crowd, including lot of his solo stuff and a ton of Beatles songs, including Yellow Submarine. He sang, and played drums and also did a few songs where he did both at the same time. He was funny and talked to the audience a lot and joked around.

The best part of course, is when Ringo first came out. The band played a little riff and sang "Bill---eeee Sheeaarrs!" and he came out on stage. The smile on Aidan's face was priceless. He was more excited than I have ever seen him. I know I was in tears, I'm pretty sure Fitty was too.

Another great thing that happened was that sitting right behind us was this adorable four-year-old girl and her dad. She was wearing a Yellow Submarine shirt and clutching a Ringo doll. We got to chatting about our kids and turns out Aidan is not the only little Ringo fan out there. The two of them were discussing the Beatles and their favorite songs, in that four year old sort of way. Of course SHE wanted a Sgt. Pepper's suit too! Aidan way outlasted her during the concert though. He was drumming along and dancing and singing to the bitter end, and was pretty dissapointed when it was over.







Our view from our seats...a nice venue!

















RINGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




















And yes, he finally did tire out....

Thanks AGAIN to Katie, Phil, Cris & Harri; Rob & Lenora; Chris & Michele; Grammie & Ken; Kevin & Tara; Nora & John; Tim, Terri, Halle, Taylor & Anna; Nonnie & Boppa; and especially to Ramona, who we hardly even know but gave mom and opportunity to go. And let us not forget Julie: thank you thank you thank you for all the hours you must have spent on the phone trying to get to the Big Guy. I am so happy that Ringo knows that Aidan exists and that he has seen him drumming!

It was an unforgettable night!