"People forget we were musicians and we just loved to play together."
Starr returns Down Under with the latest incarnation of his band, nicknamed the All-Starrs, featuring Steve Lukather of Toto, Richard Page from Mr Mister and Gregg Rolie, a member and voice of Santana and Journey.
Asked if he expected his female fans to toss their underwear at him on stage, Starr laughed.
"I hope not," the 72-year-old said.
Starr and his All-Starrs toured North America last year and he says members of the audience cover all demographics.
"We have such a mixed bag," Starr said. "There's people my age and there's kids who are interested in the players.
"I just want everyone to turn up."
The audience can expect a setlist including Yellow Submarine, Matchbox, Honey Don't and It Don't Come Easy.
When Starr toured Australia with The Beatles in 1964 he had just had his tonsils removed which made him miss the start of the Australian tour, with his drum stool being taken over by Jimme Nicol. But he recovered by the time the band headed to New Zealand.
And as he met members of the press in Hollywood on Saturday and performed a few songs including With a Little Help from My Friends, maintaining his health was a high priority. Instead of shaking hands, Starr bumped elbows.
"I'm trying not to get the flu," he said.
Concert preview
Who: Ringo Starr and his All-Starrs
Where: Vector Arena, Auckland
When: Saturday.
- AAP
