At 72 years old, this much is certain about Ringo Starr: He still rocks.

Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band rolled and ripped through songs during their July 13 concert at Northern Quest Resort & Casino.

While Steve Lukather (Toto), Richard Page (Mr. Mister), Greg Rolie (Santana and Journey), Todd Rundgren (Nazz, Utopia and The New Cars), Mark Rivera and Greg Bissonette all had their moments in the spotlight, the former Beatle was the highlight of the two-hour show.

(Note: I'm a die-hard Beatles fan, so this isn't exactly an objective review.)

Whether he was behind the drums or holding the mic and singing lead, Ringo was the main man. There was no opening act, no warm-up band. At 7 sharp, the announcer caught some by surprise when he yelled the name of Ringo Starr and he charged out.

Wearing black jeans, a T-shirt and sunglasses, the fit and agile Starr quickly had the crowd of some 4,000 standing, waving, dancing and singing along.

He didn't just play. He bounded and bopped around the stage. He chatted. He joked, even praising one woman's dancing. He let his playful personality shine through, especially when performing songs made famous when he was the drummer for the Beatles that featured John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison.

Before launching into the Beatles hit, "I Wanna Be Your Man," he said, "I'd like to do a song now for all the ladies in the audience." Then, after someone made him chuckle, he added, "I said ladies."

Another light moment: "John Lennon wrote me this song, and it's called 'I'm the Greatest.'"

When they wrapped it up, Ringo thanked the crowd for the applause and said, "You're the best, but I'm the greatest."

The audience, mostly middle-agers, came to hear Beatle tunes and Ringo did not disappoint. He also performed "Don't Pass Me By," which he wrote, and "Yellow Submarine," written by McCartney, credited to Lennon-McCartney, with lead vocals by Ringo.

The tune "Act Naturally" was a natural for Ringo, a performer who has improved over the course of his lengthy career that included stints on the silver screen. Never known for his singing, he still commands the stage well, and there's never a doubt the man enjoys his work, even at a time in life when others his age would be relaxing at home.

He wrapped up the night with the hit, "With a Little Help from My Friends," from the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band that came out in 1967. This was another song written by Lennon and McCartney for Ringo to take the lead vocals.

The crowd joined in, loud and proud, singing all the lyrics led by the charismatic Starr. The band transitioned into Lennon's famous "Give Peace a Chance," with the audience cheering wildly and belting out the vocals, fueled by perhaps a few too many brews.

"I love you all, thanks for coming. Thanks, good night," Ringo shouted before darting off stage.

All told a fun, entertaining, non-stop two hours of music. Nothing spectacular or extravagant. No laser lights or back-up dancers. Just the old hits the crowd came to hear.

The only disappointment? No encore. But fault the crowd, which by the way, wasn't a sellout. They simply didn't scream and chant enough to get one. Thirty seconds of mild clapping didn't get Ringo and crew back for one more song, and it shouldn't have, either.

Too bad. He might have cranked out his Beatles hit, "Octopus's Garden," which he wrote and sang, and that I had been waiting to hear.

Maybe next time. Ringo seems to have plenty of rock and roll left in him.

Final note:

The Pepsi Outdoor Summer Concerts are held on the Outdoor Stage at Northern Quest. Future shows include Journey, featuring Pat Benatar and Loverboy - Sunday, July 29, but it's sold out.

• Darius Rucker - Saturday, Aug. 4 at 7 p.m.

• Sugarland - Thursday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m., also sold out.

• ZZ Top - Saturday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m.

• Heart - Sunday, Sept. 9 at 5 p.m.