See you soon,
Gregg

Conan

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

Following a short musical performance, Ringo Starr will introduce the members of his All Starr Band as they prepare to embark on their 2011 European tour.

Ringo Starr, Edgar Winter, Gary Wright, Rick Derringer, Richard Page, Wally Palmar and Gregg Bissonette will then answer questions from the media. Fans will also have the opportunity to submit questions via a chat facility on www.muzu.tv/ringostarr. The press conference will end at 15:45.

The twenty eight date tour, which begins on June 4th, is the most extensive European tour undertaken by Ringo and His All Starr Band. With concerts in Ukraine, Russia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Latvia, Poland, Britain, France, Czech Republic, Italy, Holland, Germany and Austria the tour will see Ringo performing in several countries for the first time. It is also Ringo’s first UK tour since 1998.

In addition to opening the event to the online audience, two fans will also have the opportunity to attend the press conference in person by entering a competition on MUZU.TV.

The twenty-seven date tour kicks off in Kiev, Ukraine on June 4, stopping in Russia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Latvia, Poland, Britain, France, Czech Republic, Italy, Holland and Germany before concluding in Vienna, Austria on July 17.

For more details about the tour, and to buy tickets, visit Gregg’s events page. Here’s the full list of dates and venues:

June 4, 2011 // Kiev, Ukraine // Palace of Ukraine

June 6, 2011 // Moscow, Russia // TBA

June 7, 2011 // St. Petersburg, Russia // TBA

June 10, 2011 // Gothenburg, Sweden // Liseberg

June 11, 2011 // Oslo, Norway // Norwegian Wood Festival

June 12, 2011 // Randers, Denmark // Vaerket (SOLD OUT!)

June 14, 2011 // Riga, Latvia // Arena Riga

June 15, 2011 // Warsaw, Poland // Sala Kongresowa

June 17, 2011 // London, England // Hampton Court Palace

June 18, 2011 // Liverpool, England // Empire Theatre

June 20, 2011 // Birmingham, England // Symphony Hall

June 22, 2011 // Manchester, England // Opera House

June 23, 2011 // Glasgow, Scotland // Clyde Auditorium

June 24, 2011 // Bournemouth, England // Bournemouth International Centre (BIC)

June 26, 2011 // Paris, France // Palais des Sports

June 28, 2011 // Budapest, Hungary // Budapest Arena

June 29, 2011 // Prague, Czech Republic // KCP Congress Centre

July 2, 2011 // Lyon, France // Amphitheatre — Centre des Congrès

July 3, 2011 // Milan, Italy // Arena Civica

July 4, 2011 // Roma, Italy // Auditorium Cavea

July 6, 2011 // Frankfurt, Germany // Stadthalle

July 7, 2011 // Hamburg, Germany // Stadtpark

July 9, 2011 // Weert, Netherlands // Bospop

July 10, 2011 // Düsseldorf, Germany // Philipshalle

July 12, 2011 // Berlin, Germany // Zitadelle

July 13, 2011 // Munich, Germany // Circus Krone

July 17, 2011 // Vienna, Austria // Vienna Open Air

Gregg Bissonette does it all: from big band to rock to jazz to pop to movie scores–and he does it all at the A level. Need proof? Do the names Maynard Ferguson, David Lee Roth, Joe Satriani, Toto or Ringo Starr ring a bell? If not, ponder this: Stewart Copeland, himself the king of the punkazoid reggae splashdown, who knows a thing or two about drumming, calls Gregg Bissonette when he needs a drummer for his film or TV scoring. As if that wasn’t enough, Gregg also finds the time to lend his talents to his children’s school music classes, by composing drum pieces and tutoring the students. Oh, and did we mention Gregg’s a two-time Grammy winner, having played on Santana’s “El Farol,” (2000 Best Pop Instrumental Performance) and Steve Lukather and Larry Carlton’s No Substitutions (2002 Best Pop Instrumental Album). Combine all that with his unflappable optimism, enthusiasm, and never-say-no work ethic and you’ve got the perfect working drummer.

RINGO – PART 1

Like many baby boomer drummers, Gregg had his musical awakening courtesy of The Beatles. Though, at first it was the guitar that attracted him, not, as you might expect, the drums. He recalls, “When I was a kid, I was freaked out by The Beatles. I just loved The Beatles and wanted to be a guitar player because I thought John Lennon was so great. But my dad said, ‘Well, we’ve got a drum set in the basement, why don’t you go down there and play some drums?’ I said, ‘Okay, but I really want to play guitar.’ I finally got a guitar and realized it just wasn’t my thing. Dad’s my hero: Dad plays first base on the baseball team–I want to play first base. Dad’s a drummer–I want to be a drummer.

“And then, the next weekend, after I decided I really wanted to play, my dad came home with tickets to see The Beatles. I was only seven, I couldn’t believe it. He had a gig with his band (the Bud Bissonette Band), and he was playing a wedding at the Ambassador Hotel where The Beatles were staying in downtown Detroit. He heard all the screaming in the lobby and said, ‘What’s going on? What are all these girls doing here?’ ‘Bud, The Beatles are staying upstairs, they’re playing tomorrow night at Olympia Hockey Arena.’ ‘The Beatles. My kids love The Beatles, my wife loves The Beatles…’ My dad, being the schmoozy guy he was, ‘Any chance of getting me…’ Not one or two, but…‘Six tickets?’ The guy goes, ‘Bud, you’re out of your mind! It’s The Beatles, man. They’ve been sold out for six months! But come back after your gig at 1:00 AM, I’ll see what I can do.’

Read more of Gregg Bissonette: Plays Well With Others