Okay, well you may have expected this. I am a huge Beatles fan and I am also a drummer, so logic will tell you I like Ringo. I think he is very, very talented.
(Pause for laughter and continue)
No, seriously. Ringo, along with George, was a hidden talent of The Beatles. We can all sing praise of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, but what can be said about good ol’ Mr. Starkey?
“Erm, didn’t he sing lead on Yellow Submarine?”
To explain Ringo’s talent I’m going to have to talk drum technique so please, bare with me.
One of the wonderful things about Ringo’s drumming is that if you ignore all the other instruments in the song, you can still tell what song it is by the drums alone. I’m not sure if you realise how big a deal this is. I do. I mean, just listen to Come Together. Now, listen to the drums in it. You will not find any other song that has a rhythm like that.
In the early days of The Beatles, Ringo greatly contributed to their success. His fast and loose rhythms got people dancing. Now, this may not seem like much, but can you imagine The Beatles playing in The Cavern Club and nobody dancing? It would have been a long way to Shea Stadium if that were the way they had started off.
In an interview, Lennon was asked if Ringo was the best drummer in the world. Lennon replied, "He's not even the best drummer in The Beatles!” Surely this was an insult? But Lennon went on to say “Ringo's a damn good drummer. He always was a good drummer. He's not technically good, but I think Ringo's drumming is underrated the same way as Paul's bass playing is underrated”
The only reason Ringo was ‘not technically good’ was because he was a left-handed drummer playing on a right-handed kit. He couldn’t do a roll to save his life but his fills are unique.
Ringo has influenced so many famous drummers, Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden, Dave Grohl of God knows how many bands and even Danny Carey of Tool. But most of all, he’s influenced me.
I really hope I have not bored you to death with all of this drum theory and all, but I want you to know there’s more to Ringo that meets the eye.
So, Ringo, you’re a star.
Peace,
Paul.
(Pause for laughter and continue)
No, seriously. Ringo, along with George, was a hidden talent of The Beatles. We can all sing praise of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, but what can be said about good ol’ Mr. Starkey?
“Erm, didn’t he sing lead on Yellow Submarine?”
To explain Ringo’s talent I’m going to have to talk drum technique so please, bare with me.
One of the wonderful things about Ringo’s drumming is that if you ignore all the other instruments in the song, you can still tell what song it is by the drums alone. I’m not sure if you realise how big a deal this is. I do. I mean, just listen to Come Together. Now, listen to the drums in it. You will not find any other song that has a rhythm like that.
In the early days of The Beatles, Ringo greatly contributed to their success. His fast and loose rhythms got people dancing. Now, this may not seem like much, but can you imagine The Beatles playing in The Cavern Club and nobody dancing? It would have been a long way to Shea Stadium if that were the way they had started off.
In an interview, Lennon was asked if Ringo was the best drummer in the world. Lennon replied, "He's not even the best drummer in The Beatles!” Surely this was an insult? But Lennon went on to say “Ringo's a damn good drummer. He always was a good drummer. He's not technically good, but I think Ringo's drumming is underrated the same way as Paul's bass playing is underrated”
The only reason Ringo was ‘not technically good’ was because he was a left-handed drummer playing on a right-handed kit. He couldn’t do a roll to save his life but his fills are unique.
Ringo has influenced so many famous drummers, Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden, Dave Grohl of God knows how many bands and even Danny Carey of Tool. But most of all, he’s influenced me.
I really hope I have not bored you to death with all of this drum theory and all, but I want you to know there’s more to Ringo that meets the eye.
So, Ringo, you’re a star.
Peace,
Paul.
Aye. Good ol' Ringo and his dreams of Octopus's Gardens in the shade. I definitely feel as though he is underrated, like George (my personal favourite Beatle).
ReplyDeleteI just love the picture! :)
ReplyDeleteI <3 Ringo too! Really interesting post, I feel all edumacated in the good way :D
ReplyDeleteAnd I really want to grow a mustache...