IN MY LIFE. AS RINGO!
Part 3
By Mike Streeto

In the last chapter, I described my time with “Fab Forever” in Florida and Connecticut. After a little R & R (rest and relaxation), it was once again time for a little R n R (rock n roll).

I was set to board a plane again, but now it was to go to Sin City -- Las Vegas. As if this was not already too great or exciting, I had the privilege of being seated next to some other fellow musicians, two of the original members of the famed disco band The Trammps (remember “Disco Inferno” from the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack?).. The whole conversation started because they thought I looked like a musician. We began talking and when I asked them what they were doing, they handed me a business card, and I said, “Disco Inferno?” They were quite interested in talking to me about The Beatles and about me being in a Beatles show. We talked the rest of the way. How cool this was, I was thinking.

I was also thinking about finally playing in Vegas. I was told that we were playing at the Cannery Casino Hotel, which, by the way, is where many big acts of the past and the present still play today. Even my favorite sixties female singer of all time, Petula Clark, has performed here. Other artists who have graced the Cannery’s stages include Asia, Dave Mason, Edgar Winter, Survivor, Marshall Tucker, Orleans, Glenn Frey and many others. Can you tell I was getting excited?

Once grounded at the Las Vegas airport, I got a call from my friend and business partner Charles F. Rosenay, relaying a message from the band’s producer Jerry. I was to wait for Todd, the Paul in the band, who was landing at around the same time, as we would be picked up together. I do remember one of the first things Todd said to me while he was waiting and looking for his luggage, “I love this place!”

I was looking for our ride and I thought the sign greeting us would say “Fab Forever,” but instead it had our names. But boy, were we impressed when we were picked up by a big black Lincoln stretch limo, complete with the uniformed chauffeur. He didn’t even let us pick up our luggage or instruments. Again, Todd expressed his approval when he looked at me and said, “Tell me you don’t love this, Streeto!” I just smiled and added, “Yeah, it’s always nice being treated like a star". It was a long time ago for me since I was last treated this way. And I must reiterate how friendly and helpful Todd was right from the beginning. It was an instant friendship.

Now it was off to the hotel and soon off to the show at the Cannery. That same week, Eric Burden and The Animals played a bill with Rare Earth there. There are highlights of this show on YouTube with clips “I Feel Fine,” “Nowhere Man,” “Back In The USSR” and “Come Together.” Listen to the screams! We had the look, the sound and the magic and did this without tape loops, clicks tracks, backing tracks or film footage of any kind. It’s all live.

I still can’t tell you how proud I am of these clips and all the shows I did then. They were all big-room venues that were filled to capacity with 1000-3000 fans. At both Vegas and the Florida Gulfstream shows, we got endless standing ovations from the fans and just so much excitement. It’s fair to say that the shows at the Cannery in Vegas were a close tie with the Gulfstream, and to date the largest audiences I’ve performed in front of. It was an honor getting an email from Joe Johnson’s webmaster saying the following, “Great gig at the Gulfstream Park in Florida! You guys were great!” Not bad for a stripped-down show that wasn’t rehearsed. Go figure.

When the show ended, Glenn (George) and Gary (John) left for home, while Todd (Paul) and I stayed on for one more night (Todd may have stayed on a few more days). The producer/director of the show threw us the biggest party – a picnic by his pool. I remember thinking I never saw so much food. We were very relaxed, which, when looking back at my time with Fab Forever, went well with how little pressure there was. Truth be told, I didn’t feel that comfortable with Gary Gibson. Though I tried, he was too difficult. He always had the star syndrome and ego. Though he had the look, it surprised me how many songs he didn’t know. We wanted to do “The Night Before,” as an example, but he didn’t know it! Ironically, he knew the wrong harmony on “This Boy,” so we never did that either. For someone who ’s been doing this for so long, it’s shocking how many songs he didn’t know. Worst of all, he was disrespectful to the producer/ director of the show, even from the stage! We parted with a hug, but I wish he could have been a nicer and more friendly bandmate. I also wish I could have raved about him as a person as much as a Lennon impersonator.

I’ve talked much about Todd, but I should mention that he always complimented my drum “attack.” It was nice flattery from someone who’s worked with so many other Ringos. But I should note that I also loved working with Glenn McCallum too. He has turned into one of the greatest Harrisons out on the circuit, aside from being one of the best all-around guitarists around. He’s a great addition to any band (too bad for anyone who let him go or didn’t use him enough). He’s laid back, easy to work with, and never has a bad word to say. This past Thanksgiving, he surprised me with a text message from Hawaii to wish me happy holidays! Needless to say, he is a must to see, and the kind of person I want to work with and be around.

You say goodbye/ I say hello…
Farewell “Fab Forever” -- “Yesterday” came suddenly.

More next time…
Peace & Love,
Mike “Ringo” Streeto