Todd Rundgren is bringing a Ringo Starr-inspired crowd moment to Pittsburgh next Friday, and fans may get more than a standard singalong. The Rock Hall inductee has revived ‘Bang the Drum All Day’ after more than a decade away from his regular set, thanks in part to a request from Starr. One lucky audience member will get to sit behind the kit.
The Damned If I Do Tour arrives at Stage AE for an indoor, all-ages show, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and the concert beginning at 8 p.m. The TribLIVE interview lists the starting ticket price at $71.09.
The Pittsburgh stop is a natural fit for an artist whose audience stretches across generations and genres. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame describes Rundgren as a genre-melding songwriter and producer, a useful reminder that his catalog goes well beyond the few songs most likely to trigger an immediate shout from the crowd.
Ringo Put The Drum Song Back In Rotation
In an interview with TribLIVE, Rundgren said he is passing through Pittsburgh partly because Ohio is a particularly strong market for his fans. He also explained that Starr insisted he perform ‘Bang the Drum All Day’ during their time together, turning the song into a staple of Rundgren’s All Starr Band shows after he had stopped playing it for more than 10 years. Each night, a contest winner is expected to join him on drums for the song.
The Ringo connection is more than a stray anecdote. Starr’s official website has listed Rundgren in multiple All Starr Band lineups, underscoring how the drummer’s request became part of Rundgren’s live identity.
Familiar Songs, With A Few Setlist Adjustments
Rundgren has reshaped the current show without abandoning the songs his loyal audience expects. ‘Hello It’s Me’ and ‘I Saw the Light’ remain in the mix, while familiar numbers have been moved earlier and album cuts continue to get room alongside the better-known radio hits, according to the interview.
The Stage AE event listing bills the performance as an indoor show with 7 p.m. doors. The AXS listing identifies the concert as all ages and shows an 8 p.m. start, giving Pittsburgh Rundgren fans a date with a familiar drumbeat and at least one very temporary new bandmate.
