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Sir Ringo Starr to perform in Israel
Former Beatles drummer to play Tel Aviv - 52 years after the Fab Four were forced to cancel their planned Israeli gig
January 2, 2018 11:26
Former Beatles drummer to play Tel Aviv - 52 years after the Fab Four were forced to cancel their planned Israeli gig
January 2, 2018 11:26Ringo Starr is to perform two concerts in Tel Aviv this summer – making him the second former Beatle, after Paul McCartney, to have taken the stage in Israel.
The legendary drummer – who was awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours – will appear alongside fellow rock legends Steve Lukather of Toto, Greg Rollie of Journey and Graham Gouldman of 10cc as the All-Starrs for the two shows at Tel Aviv’s Menorah Mivtahim Arena on June 23 and 24.
The concerts, which have been rumoured for several months, were confirmed on Tuesday as part of a 21-date European tour that will also include in France, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Monaco, Netherlands and Italy.
The gigs are expected to include a selection of Beatles classics, including With A Little Help From My Friends on which Starr sang the original vocals.
The tour takes place 52 years after The Beatles were scheduled to perform in Israel in 1966 – but the band were stopped by a government committee who deemed them to be a “bad influence” on Israeli youth at the time.
It was a decision that subsequently embarrassed Israel – and in 2008, Ron Prosor, the Israeli ambassador to Britain handed a letter of apology to Julia Baird, sister of the late John Lennon, expressing regret over the snub.
Sir Paul subsequently became the first Beatle to play Israel in 2008 with a show at Park Hayarkon in Tel Aviv.
Last week singer Lorde cancelled her planned Tel Aviv concert after a campaign by BDS supporters.