In a press event at New York's Plaza Hotel that was as much related to Centruy 21 real estate as music, Ringo Starr [ tickets ]'s summer touring plans with his All-Starr band were announced.

Named Century 21.com Presents Ringo and His All-Starr Band Connections Tour 2000, the 35-date, 29-city tour will perform in a mix of theaters, casinos and amphitheaters. This is the first tour sponsorship for the realtor.

The sixth edtion of the All-Starr tour includes keyboardist/vocalist Eric Carmen (Raspberries), bassist Jack Bruce (Cream), drummer Simon Kirke (Bad Company/Free), guitarist Dave Edmunds (Rockpile) and saxophonist Mark Rivera. Carmen is the only member who hasn't played on an All-Starr tour.

Century 21 executives gave each band member a leather coat; Starr received a computer emblazoned with the Century 21 logo. When Starr was asked if he was a computer enthusiast, he remarked, ''I've done three emails in my life, two of which my wife Barbara typed.''

On May 15, Century 21 will begin airing a commercial featuring Starr. When the Century 21 executive described Starr's part as a ''cameo role,'' the quick-witted Starr quipped from behind a curtain, ''Starring role,'' which got a round of chuckles.

Considering that all of the musicians are veterans of previous bands from the '60s and '70s, the group was asked about how it felt to be rockers between the ages of 50 and 60. Starr answered, ''We're blessed that we're still alive and blessed that people want to see us.''

The first show is about two weeks away, and 90 percent of the band's material has been decided. ''Rehearsal is the worst part for me,'' Starr said. ''The show is easy, so for a couple of months we have a lot of fun and play all the hits of everyone.''

A question addressed the forthcoming Beatles book, which Starr co-authored with Paul McCartney and George Harrison. Starr replied, ''The book is big, interesting and exciting; it's mainly from our lips, not other people's.''

A tour anthology CD is scheduled to be released later in the year.