RINGO READY FOR OZ PANDEMONIUM

RINGO Starr is confident his fans will enjoy this month's Australian concert tour, but he'd prefer they keep their knickers on.

When The Beatles toured Australia in 1964 there was pandemonium at every point, with hundreds of female fans holding siege at their hotels and screaming through each concert.

"It was crazy," Starr, recalling the Australian visit almost half a century ago with Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison, told AAP.

"That's how it was in those days, but it was great and it was the four of us playing.

"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 founding member and voice of Santana and Journey.

Asked if he expected his female fans to toss their underwear at him on stage, Starr laughed.The tour starts in Brisbane on February 11 and includes stops in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

"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 playlist 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.

As he met with members of the Australian 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.

That Hippie Penny Lane