SEVERAL light years ago I witnessed the second incarnation of Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band in action in a TV studio.

It boasted an astonishing line-up of guitarists - Joe Walsh, Nils Lofgren, Todd Rundgren and Dave Edmonds. What did they do? They plonked their way perfunctorily through Yellow Submarine.It was heartbreaking.

In other words I knew what to expect. Ringo is now on version eleven of his All Starrs. It includes such luminaries as Rick Derringer and Edgar Winter. There’s Wally Palmar from The Romantics, Gary “The `Dreamweaver” Wright, bassman Richard Page and drummer Gregg Bissonette. Between them they have several hundred years' experience. More to the point they’re fine musicians.

Yet once again it was thump along with Ringo time. They chucked a few of their own hits into the stew - Hang On Sloopy, Talking in Your Sleep etc. But the highlights were still Ringo being er well Ringo and singing, badly but inimitably, numbers like Honey Don’t, I Wanna Be Your Man, Boys and of course With A Little help From My Friends and the aforementioned Yellow Submarine. Quite a nifty singalong version this time as it happens.

There was much flashing of peace signs and Ringo looked great, nothing like his 70 years. Though the audience response was luke-warm, towards the end of the show some bloke in the terrace yelled “I love you Ringo”.

The former Beatle didn’t miss a beat. He beamed delightedly and pointed towards the voice. “And I love you too,” he announced. As the inevitable laughter died away, he added: “I’d rather it had been a high girlie voice. But you’ll do.”

The fact is of course that we all love Ringo, and he knows it. It’s why he gets away with these awful concerts.