Ringo Starr Cancels Remaining North American Dates After Second COVID Diagnosis

A second COVID diagnosis that left him “surprised” forced Ringo Starr to cancel the remainder of his North American tour.

The 82-year-old former Beatle tweeted Thursday “I’m sure you’ll be as surprised as I was I tested positive again for Covid the rest of the tour is off I send you peace and love Ringo.” This message was followed by a series of 10 whimsical emoji, including, for some reason, broccoli.

Starr postponed several tour dates Oct. 3 after his first positive test, but planned to resume Oct. 11 and Monday tweeted he was back on the road.

The postponed shows were planned for San Jose, Calif.’s Civic, Paso Robles, Calif.’s Vina Robles Amphitheatre, the Greek in Los Angeles and two shows at Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City.

Edgar Winter and Steve Lukather, members of the All Starr Band, tested positive for COVID in June, forcing the rescheduling of a dozen shows which had previously been scheduled for 2020.

Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band performed Sept. 19 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center in Atlanta in a sold-out show, grossing $293,585 on 2,642 tickets, according to reports submitted to Pollstar Boxoffice. Four days earlier, the band sold out St. Augustine, Fla.’s eponymous amphitheater, grossing $426,816 on 4,586 tickets.