Ringo Starr

[BrewBillfold]

Take it up with Wikipedia. It was a quote, and I tend to believe them.I just changed that one part on Wikipedia . . . I didn't bother changing the other things that are wrong, as there's a good chance it will just get changed back to the wrong info anyway, and I'm not fond of facelessly fighting with others in that kind of situation.

[Pollyanna]

To me......If I take the media fuss out of the Beatles and The Rolling Stones or any other "popular bands" the musicians in these bands are as important and as same as the unknown bar band that is playing right down the street..... just musicians having fun.
my 4 cents!

PT, if an unknown bar band had songwriters and vocalists that can do what the guys in the Beatles did they wouldn't be unknown for long.

It wasn't all the zeitgeist or Brian Epstein's management. Those guys were gifted and dedicated.

[BrewBillfold]

Ah, I couldn't help myself--I corrected the whole thing. So that paragraph on Wikipedia now reads: "One of the most salient musical features of the song is its frequent shifts in [[time signature]], some tempo changes, and some unusual phrasing. The song begins in standard 4/4 time but quickly begins to deviate from the norm. There is a five bar phrase rather than the usual four with the line beginning on "She's well acquainted...". The last phrase/line of that verse ("A soap impression . . . ") has a 6/4 bar (the second measure of the phrase) before going back to 4/4 for the last two bars of the phrase, and Ringo plays the downbeat on "1" in the fourth bar, giving a more unusual feel. The subsequent guitar lead and bridge can be analyzed as a 3-bar pattern of 9/8, 12/8, 12/8 (or 5 bars--one of 9/8, four of 6/8, etc.), with Ringo retaining an implied 6/8 throughout, so that the snare drum downbeats are on "1" as often as not. This gives way to faster (almost double time) four bar pattern of 6/8, 6/4, 6/8, 7/4 for the "Mother Superior..." section before returning to a slower 4/4 for the doo-wop style ending. During the "When I hold you..." section, the rest of the band returns to 6/8, but Ringo stays in 4/4. This is one of the few examples of [[polyrhythm]] in the Beatles' repertoire."


Who knows how long that will stay corrected.

[Pollyanna]

Well done, BB - and GD for finding it for the thread in the first place.

I used to play along with Happiness but never had a clue about the numbers. I just knew that you'd add a beat or two in various places. I generally found it pretty intuitive and some parts of Here Comes the Sun seemed less obvious to me, even though it's just some 7/8 here and there.

Love the way Ringo comes across as so simple yet he kept a lot up his sleeve. His ears ruled, not his hands.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Nor his mouth. He was and is very humble in his approach to his style and his talent.

[BeatlesFan]

Nice drumming on The Beatles' "It's All Too Much": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oes9_poAIg

[Muckster]

This is how I feel about the Beatles....

Just how many different license plate designs does Florida have?

[DrumEatDrum]

Regardless if anyone thinks Ringo is the best ever or worst, the fact remains he was the guy the BAND wanted to drum for them.

Most rock drummers at the time were converted jazz drummers, and so many rock tunes of the late 50's and early 60's had this implied jazz feel. I often think John, Paul and George picked Ringo because he did NOT have that implied jazz feel, rather he could play things very straight to suite their song writing at the time.

And from there, the rest is history.

[BuddyBeaufordGaddNeil]

Regardless if anyone thinks Ringo is the best ever or worst, the fact remains he was the guy the BAND wanted to drum for them.

Most rock drummers at the time were converted jazz drummers, and so many rock tunes of the late 50's and early 60's had this implied jazz feel. I often think John, Paul and George picked Ringo because he did NOT have that implied jazz feel, rather he could play things very straight to suite their song writing at the time.

And from there, the rest is history.

Good point dude. Any idiot knows Ringo is technically not a very good drummer at all but he played EXACTLY what those songs called for. Im not a big Beatles fan but i do know that Ringo was perfectly happen to let those 3 do most of the song writing and arranging while he just played what they asked for.

[BeatlesFan]

Regardless if anyone thinks Ringo is the best ever or worst, the fact remains he was the guy the BAND wanted to drum for them.

Most rock drummers at the time were converted jazz drummers, and so many rock tunes of the late 50's and early 60's had this implied jazz feel. I often think John, Paul and George picked Ringo because he did NOT have that implied jazz feel, rather he could play things very straight to suite their song writing at the time.

And from there, the rest is history.

You're also forgetting that Ringo was an established drummer in Liverpool before he joined The Beatles. People/Haters ignorantly seem to think he was just a random unknown drummer who got lucky. He was in Rory Storm + The Hurricanes which was the top band in Liverpool before The Beatles made it big.

Here's some nice quotes...

Mike McCartney -- "There were quite a few drummers around Liverpool and I used to go home and tell Paul about Ringo. I often saw him play with Rory Storm. ...With Rory he was a very inventive drummer. He goes around the drums like crazy. He doesn't just hit them -- he invents sounds." (1983 interview for The Beatles: A Celebration by Geoffrey Guilliano, 1992)

"Ringo was a star in his own right in Liverpool before we even met. He was a professional drummer who sang and performed and had Ringo Star-time and he was in one of the top groups in Britain but especially in Liverpool before we even had a drummer. So Ringo's talent would have come out one way or the other as something or other." -John Lennon, Playboy 1980 Interview

I also find it sad how metal heads here on drummerworld say he's not technically good. I recently watched this documentary on the making of John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band, in which Ringo plays drums for, and Klaus Voormann was saying how all the greatest drummers he knows like Jim Keltner "love Ringo". All the big names in drumming like Steve Gadd and Charlie Watts have all praised his talents, yet ignorant people here say he's not technically good because he doesn't play flashy.

[BeatlesFan]

Good point dude. Any idiot knows Ringo is technically not a very good drummer at all but he played EXACTLY what those songs called for. Im not a big Beatles fan but i do know that Ringo was perfectly happen to let those 3 do most of the song writing and arranging while he just played what they asked for.

Technically not a great drummer??? [rolls eyes]

"The fill is the art of the drummer, that happens in the moment. That’s always been the way with me. I can’t think about it. I don’t play drum parts. I have no idea how it’s gonna turn out. I don’t say, “Oh, 16 bars in I’ll do that.” I have no idea at all what I’m going to do, it just happens." -Ringo Starr
Strawberry Fields Forever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T02iI0AVIg

"There were quite a few drummers around Liverpool and I used to go home and tell Paul about Ringo. I often saw him play with Rory Storm. ...With Rory he was a very inventive drummer. He goes around the drums like crazy. He doesn't just hit them -- he invents sounds." -Mike McCartney
She Said She Said: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b00VTswskFI

"I consider him one of the greatest innovators of rock drumming and believe that he has been one of the greatest influences on rock drumming today... Ringo has influenced drummers more than they will ever realize or admit. Ringo laid down the fundamental rock beat that drummers are playing today and they probably don't even realize it." -Kenny Arnoff
Rain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPjDMZiuhbQ

"Starr is vastly underrated. The drum fills on the song "A Day in the Life" are very complex things. You could take a great drummer today and say, 'I want it like that.' He wouldn't know what to do." -Phil Collins
A Day in the Life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfrvY8zAL4A

"Ringo comes from a different kind of school, and I find that totally exciting and challenging. How he does what he does…it's so different from what other drummers do. If somebody approaches music or their instrument in a way that's unique, I want to be around that person. To me, there's something to learn there. It was great being around him; he's so inspiring." -Steve Gadd
Something: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbi5uQr02Ik

"Ringo's tom fills really make the song, but funnily enough, he hated doing them because he could never remember what he was did one take to the next. I think that's why his fills are so spectacular - he felt that he would never reproduce them, so he'd better get 'em right." -Geoff Emerick
Here Comes The Sun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7h1IphPfeU

"Ringo is one of the greatest rock drummers. There were times when he’d get in the middle of a drum fill and not know how to get out, and that’s what made it great." -Ken Scott
I Me Mine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M88RXx8BudM

"I don't ever want to step on Ringo; he's my favourite drummer. To me, he's the greatest drummer in the world, and the reason I play the instrument is because of him." -Gregg Bissonette
Yer Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05nV-c61pmk

"Ringo Starr’s drumming is infallible, untouchable, and he is quite simply the greatest drummer in the history of rock n roll music." -Steve Gorman
Tomorrow Never Knows: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHaM0K_d5_Y

"Ringo doesn't dazzle with flashy technique and pyrotechnics. What he does is so much more elusive and difficult: He plays songs on the drums. Anybody who has sat down behind a drum kit in the last 45 years owes him." -Elliot Easton
She Loves You: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oOQROq3WN0

[BeatlesFan]

Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and George Martin talk about Tommorow Never Knows and Ringo's drumming starting at 7:23: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2J9zIuredY

I think this deserves a bump.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Just how many different license plate designs does Florida have?

They have a ton. I wouldn't want to be a cop. The John Lennon Imagine plate sends food to the needy.

Click here to view them all:

http://www.flhsmv.gov/html/all-h.pdf

[Muckster]

They have a ton. I wouldn't want to be a cop. The John Lennon Imagine plate sends food to the needy.

Click here to view them all:

http://www.flhsmv.gov/html/all-h.pdf


Man, that's cool. I can see a "Drummerworld" plate in the future!

[DrumEatDrum]

You're also forgetting that Ringo was an established drummer in Liverpool before he joined The Beatles. People/Haters ignorantly seem to think he was just a random unknown drummer who got lucky. He was in Rory Storm + The Hurricanes which was the top band in Liverpool before The Beatles made it big.
.
Where did I say he came from no where? Just because I didn't type out Ringo's life story doesn't mean I forgot anything. Yesh. Obviously, he came from somewhere.

Good point dude. Any idiot knows Ringo is technically not a very good drummer at all

I never stated nor implied any such statement.

Now I know I've always stayed out of Ringo threads in the past, one little comment gets people way over reacting!!!

[Pachikara-Tharakan]

I like it when Ringo, places a rag/towel on his rack tom to get that deep/low tone in some of the songs. Besides, "You Really Got A Hold On Me" is one of my favourite ones.

thats is exactly what I do, infact to all my drums not just the tom toms,, not to copy Ringo, but being lazy enough to tune my crappy beginner kit. :)

[BeatlesFan]

Nice drumming by Ringo on The Beatles song, Cry Baby Cry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPAB3VaRmPc

[BeatlesFan]

24 August 2010(WAY More Than) 10 Questions with...Mars Hollow

Mars Hollow burst out onto the prog scene this year via their self-titled debut album on 10T Records. Those among you with good memories will remember that I covered this release a short bit ago on Bill’s Prog Blog (click here if you’d like to re-read the review: http://billsprogblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/cd-review-mars-hollow-mars-hollow-10t.html), with some very favourable things to say about it.

The band has not been resting on their collective laurels…they just played what was, by all accounts, a stormer of a set at Mexicali Prog, and are also due to play this year’s Progday festival at Storybook Farm in Chapel Hill North Carolina. They’re also working up material for their sophomore album, which we may be lucky enough to see next year.

2. What would you say are your biggest influences as a musician?

Jerry: As far as drumming goes, I've been influenced by Buddy Rich, Carl Palmer, Neil Peart, Barriemore Barlow, Bill Bruford, Alan White, Louie Bellson, Simon Phillips and of course Ringo Starr.


Source: http://billsprogblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/way-more-than-10-questions-withmars.html

[BeatlesFan]

Interview Outtakes: Black Crowes Drummer Steve Gorman on Ringo Starr, Working with Warren Zevon and Avoiding Grunge's PitfallsBy Annie Zaleski, Thu., Aug. 26 2010 @ 12:45PM Categories: Story Outtakes

On Ringo Starr and how Ringo influenced his playing as a drummer:
RFT: I know that Ringo Starr is a big influence on you as a drummer, which I find interesting because while he is revered by many, he hasn't always been labeled critically as a great drummer. So I'm curious to know how he influenced you as a player.

People still argue about [basketball players] Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, you know what I mean? And if that's an argument you're going to actively [pursue] - anyone who says Wilt Chamberlain, I don't even listen to them. I don't want to know anything else about their life. It's like saying Ringo or Neil Peart - that doesn't even make sense to me. Of course Neil Peart is an amazing drummer, as is John Bonham, as is Charlie Watts, as is Glenn Kotche from Wilco - that guy is insane! I would honestly say even more so than Bonham and Led Zeppelin, I can't imagine another drummer playing in The Beatles. The sound and feel of that band, people just take them for granted as far as how great of a band they were, because they're the biggest band ever.

You go back and listen to their live tapes from '62 and '63, when they're just playing six hours a night, they are swinging like crazy! Ringo is such a swinging drummer and he's very much a groove drummer. Everyone talks about Ringo because he's the most famous drummer ever and they miss the point on him. The other guy that no one ever talks about is John Densmore from the Doors, who's just a monster part of what the Doors were. The Ringo thing, you just can't hear anybody else playing those tunes. You just can't imagine any of that stuff making more sense. I hear "The Ballad of John and Yoko" and it just makes my skin crawl to hear Paul McCartney play that drum kit the way he plays it. It's hard for me to even know where to start because there's hardly been anybody more musically in tune with what the song needed than Ringo Starr. Who knows how it must have been like to be in the Beatles, but the fact is he was the one in The Beatles. You look at the scoreboard and they won the game, you know what I mean?

Definitely. You hear certain drummers, and you know by the sound of their playing, exactly who it is behind the kit.

Totally. The best example is on the "Sgt. Pepper" reprise at the end of the album, when it counts in and he just plays that little beat for eight measures, that is my favorite drum pass of all time. I can listen to that on a loop for an hour. It just feels perfect to me - that's what everything is supposed to feel like, right there. And every drummer in the world can play it, but nobody can make it feel like that. Drumming is about something feels.

Source: http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/atoz/2010/08/steve_gorman_interview_black_crowes_warren_zevon_r ingo_starr_tour_dates_setlist_2010.php?page=1

[BeatlesFan]

In this interview on Ringo's 70th BDay, he talks about his drumming: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWWaDKudDtA&feature=fvst

[BeatlesFan]

Check out Ringo's drumming in Take 1 of Hello Goodbye: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxqQRMq0D74

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

Check out Ringo's drumming in Take 1 of Hello Goodbye: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxqQRMq0D74

Can't mate.......I "hate" him remember??

[Pollyanna]

Check out Ringo's drumming in Take 1 of Hello Goodbye: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxqQRMq0D74

Love his feel and sound.


In this interview on Ringo's 70th BDay, he talks about his drumming: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWWaDKudDtA&feature=fvst

He looks great for his age and he has a great attitude, but wow ... I know they say that your nose and ears never stop growing but rarely have I seen that phenomenon so clearly demonstrated. Get a load of those flappers on him! :)

[Thaard]

Check out this tune. Never seen Beatles playing better than this. Ringo absolutely shreds over everything.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQZj5jT0qfU

[Pollyanna]

Check out this tune. Never seen Beatles playing better than this. Ringo absolutely shreds over everything.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQZj5jT0qfU

lol that must be St Sanders's best since doing The Stones's Start Me up and Kiss (Piss) playing I was made for loving you ... kinda ...

[BeatlesFan]

The Beatles - The Famous Logo & Ringo's Drums: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b39t7AGfxAI

[BeatlesFan]

Charlie Watts and Ringo Starr: http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/5360/charliewatts.jpg

[con struct]

Here Comes the Sun- this is a rather complicated drum part that he again did perfectly. I believe the tempos change throughout the song.

Not tempos. The tempo stays the same. There are meter changes. There are measures of 5/4 in that song, when they're singing, "Sun, sun sun, here it comes." Other than that the song is in 4/4.

[BeatlesFan]

A Word About Ringo Starr's Drumming...: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AGPm_-DtEQ

[BeatlesFan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWLJegqXIgM
"Ringo developed from a straight rock drummer into quite a musical thinker. He was always trying out different ideas." -George Martin on "I Feel Fine", Rolling Stone magazine, The Beatles 100 Greatest Songs issue

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9JQEb08XKk
"Ringo's very characteristic drumming" -George Martin on "Tommorow Never Knows", Anthology DVD

I bought the Rolling Stone Beatles 100 Greatest Songs issue, and there are plenty of quotes about Ringo, which I will post more here when I have the time. :)

[BeatlesFan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A7t6rbx39E

"The original song is good, and with John's voice it's better. Then Paul has this idea for this great little riff. And Ringo hears that and does a drum thing that fits in, and that establishes a pattern that John leapt upon and did the "shoot me" part. And then there's George's guitar at the end. The four of them became much, much better than the individual components." -George Martin on "Come Together", Rolling Stone 100 Greatest Beatles Songs issue

[gdlang]

Do yourself a favour and check out the isolated tracks that are posted here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/WarmBelowTheStorm

Enjoy..!

[singe]

Do yourself a favour and check out the isolated tracks that are posted here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/WarmBelowTheStorm

Enjoy..!

Great link, thank you.

[wy yung]

I am re-watching the Anthology series and am loving it. It is great to see Ringo play those old Luddies. And interesting to see the rickety old stages he had to play on and all the problems faced by the technology of the day. 100 watt amps at Shea stadium????

Ringo is a legend!

[Spiney]

I am re-watching the Anthology series and am loving it. It is great to see Ringo play those old Luddies. And interesting to see the rickety old stages he had to play on and all the problems faced by the technology of the day. 100 watt amps at Shea stadium????

Ringo is a legend!

Remember those images. The cymbal stands look like they are ready to fall over at any minute, and seems like everything is creeping away from poor Ringo. Worlds most famous band in a huge concert and yes a very rickety looking plywood stage. We've come a long way. I wonder with all the screaming girls could anyone really hear them play? Would kill to have been there, or better yet, the Hollywood Bowl! Thanks for sharing, Dave

[jackie k]

Ringo is a great drummer and musician. All of his drumming complimented the beatles songs. He sang, played, wrote some great songs. Each individual member of that group all together made the beatles what they where.

[MaryO]

I can't call myself a drummer yet since I'm just heading into my first lesson but from a completely fan oriented point of view I feel that Ringo is highly underrated. I've always felt that Ringo's talent was in making what he does seem so simple when it's not. I've seen Ringo live twice with his All-Starr Band (08 and 10) and he has never failed to disappoint as a drummer or an all-around entertainer.

Seeing him live is probably one of the catalysts for me finally getting the nerve up to start lessons. Ringo and George were probably the most shortchanged Beatles but for me, they were my favorites.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

and he has never failed to disappoint as a drummer or an all-around entertainer.

I think Mary needs to reword this. He never disappointed as a drummer or an entertainer.

[MaryO]

Thanks for the correction Gruntersdad....that's exactly what I meant. Ringo is both a great drummer and all-around entertainer.

[larryz]

Check out I Want You from Abbey Road for Ringo's greatest moment.

[JMalriat]

Ringo created the standard for a new style of music. However, rock is the first style most drummers learn because it is usually pretty simple. With a few exceptions, most "classic rock" is in 4/4 with a bass drum on 1 and 3 and a snare drum on 2 and 4. I don't know if he should be regarded as one of the best drummers, especially top 15 of all time. Papa Jo Jones, Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, Joe Morello, Tony Williams, and many others all had major contributions to jazz, which I believe is a much more complex form of music and is geared more towards musicians. I don't think he should get as much credit as the jazz greats. Not only did they create the standard for what was a new form of music at the time, but they also did it with skill and technique. I don't think Ringo is on the same level, just like (as a musician) I don't think rock music is on the same level as jazz.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Top 15 doesn't mean all 15 are Jazz. Ringos style and technique are different that doesn't make it less worthy. Some of it has to do with their contribution to music as a whole. Ask any high school drummer who Ringo is and then ask who Art Blakey is.

[tamadrm]

Ringo created the standard for a new style of music. However, rock is the first style most drummers learn because it is usually pretty simple. With a few exceptions, most "classic rock" is in 4/4 with a bass drum on 1 and 3 and a snare drum on 2 and 4. I don't know if he should be regarded as one of the best drummers, especially top 15 of all time. Papa Jo Jones, Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, Joe Morello, Tony Williams, and many others all had major contributions to jazz, which I believe is a much more complex form of music and is geared more towards musicians. I don't think he should get as much credit as the jazz greats. Not only did they create the standard for what was a new form of music at the time, but they also did it with skill and technique. I don't think Ringo is on the same level, just like (as a musician) I don't think rock music is on the same level as jazz.

You're really not going to get into that jazz is better than rock thing,are you?Plenty of rock players have crossed over into jazz as well as jazz players into rock.Listed to some jazz/rock or progressive rock and that music is every bit as technically challenging as mainstream jazz,but its still rock.

And Ringo does deserve to be recognized for his contribution to modern music.I would suggest you relisten to his playing objectivly and you will hear the swing and groove and the big pocket in his playing.Ringo as much as or more than Gene Krupa put drummers on the map.You can't compare technical skill by itself with musical creativity and musical playing of Ringo's style.

Steve B

[JMalriat]

You're really not going to get into that jazz is better than rock thing,are you?Plenty of rock players have crossed over into jazz as well as jazz players into rock.Listed to some jazz/rock or progressive rock and that music is every bit as technically challenging as mainstream jazz,but its still rock.

And Ringo does deserve to be recognized for his contribution to modern music.I would suggest you relisten to his playing objectivly and you will hear the swing and groove and the big pocket in his playing.Ringo as much as or more than Gene Krupa put drummers on the map.You can't compare technical skill by itself with musical creativity and musical playing of Ringo's style.

Steve B

I guess I should re-word that. No style of music is "better" than any other style. Jazz is more geared towards musicians, and rock more towards listeners in most cases. There are absolutely exceptions, I've listened to plenty of rock music I appreciated as a musician (Flood by Snarky Puppy is a perfect example, if you would consider it rock (it sounds like a weird name, but give a listen, they're all extremely talented)) and there is a lot of jazz I can only listen to as "background music". You're right, rock can be technically challenging, but not what Ringo played. I agree that Ringo and the Beatles were all very creative, especially on the lesser known tracks (like any other band/artist I guess). But all the jazz guys did the same thing. They were just as creative, but with a lot more technical skill. I just used jazz as an example because I'm more familiar with it than funk/fusion, latin, etc.

[singe]

I agree that Ringo and the Beatles were all very creative, especially on the lesser known tracks

Huh?
What Beatles tunes were the "lesser known tracks"?

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

Huh?
What Beatles tunes were the "lesser known tracks"?

I'm guessing, album tracks that weren't released as singles or become hits.

[singe]

I think their entire catalog was well known by most listeners and rock musicians at the time.

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

I think their entire catalog was well known by most listeners and rock musicians at the time.

I think you'll find that most bands, both current and from days gone by, have a degree of "fluff" or "filler" or whatever you want to call it on their albums. True fans have no problem digesting these "lesser known" tracks.....I've certainly found many of them to be more enjoyable than many single releases....but for the average punter, they're aware of what they hear on the radio (or MTV) and not a hell of a lot more.

Let's pick one album....what say Abbey Road? Survey your friends.....especially the non-muso's and non-diehards. Whilst I'm sure everyone can tell you who sang Come Together or Something or She Came in through the Bathroom Window, see how familiar they are with tracks like You Never Give me Your Money or Polythene Pam or Her Majesty. Even a classic like Maxwell's Silver Hammer is unlikely to be recalled by those who have nothing more than a passing interest in anything other than the radio tunes.

And don't be too shocked if a few of them tell you that Bathroom Window is a Joe Cocker track either. :-)

[GRUNTERSDAD]

http://www.spinner.com/2011/04/01/ringo-starr-alexx-kipp-make-a-wish/?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-w%7Cdl7%7Csec3_lnk2%7C208340

[SergiuM]

I believe Ringo was the best drummer in his time. He had nice fills, and knew exactly the right time to do them. Just listening to Ringo playing gives you a sense of how calm, cool, and relaxed he was while playing.

Plus, you gotta love his hi-hats.

[SergiuM]

I guess I should re-word that. No style of music is "better" than any other style. Jazz is more geared towards musicians, and rock more towards listeners in most cases. There are absolutely exceptions, I've listened to plenty of rock music I appreciated as a musician (Flood by Snarky Puppy is a perfect example, if you would consider it rock (it sounds like a weird name, but give a listen, they're all extremely talented)) and there is a lot of jazz I can only listen to as "background music". You're right, rock can be technically challenging, but not what Ringo played. I agree that Ringo and the Beatles were all very creative, especially on the lesser known tracks (like any other band/artist I guess). But all the jazz guys did the same thing. They were just as creative, but with a lot more technical skill. I just used jazz as an example because I'm more familiar with it than funk/fusion, latin, etc.

Take a listen to "She Said She Said" on the Rubber soul album. Even "I Feel Fine" is pretty technically challenging.

[SergiuM]

http://www.spinner.com/2011/04/01/ringo-starr-alexx-kipp-make-a-wish/?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-w%7Cdl7%7Csec3_lnk2%7C208340

Wow, thats great. What a good man. I would sure love those white Ludwigs..

[tml_fan_5@hotmail.com]

I find the Purdie playing for the Beatles not surprising at all. He is the most recorded drummer why would he stop there. He's the guy you bring in the studio when you want job done right. Interesting post.

Either someone is saying Purdie said he played on Beatles tracks, or Purdie is full of crap, because he contradicts himself about what happened, and if you read the disection of his claims, you can clearly see they hold no water at all. (i am referencing the very first posts in this thread, so might be a little off topic, but if you want to read this BS article about Bernhard Purdie claiming the drums of the first 3 Bealtes albums are him and not ringo, its like the 4th or 5th post of the thread).

[SergiuM]

Either someone is saying Purdie said he played on Beatles tracks, or Purdie is full of crap, because he contradicts himself about what happened, and if you read the disection of his claims, you can clearly see they hold no water at all. (i am referencing the very first posts in this thread, so might be a little off topic, but if you want to read this BS article about Bernhard Purdie claiming the drums of the first 3 Bealtes albums are him and not ringo, its like the 4th or 5th post of the thread).

Agreed, I call bull too. Ringo had such a distinct style, and he held that style when he played live, too. It most definitely wasn't Purdie.

[KirbyM]

Ringo was a perfect fit for The Beatles. Think about what would have happened if he had played in the style of Buddy Rich or Gene Krupa - it would not have worked. At the time, The Beatles needed a steady drummer with a creativity that would not overpower their music. Behold....Ringo !!

I always give my students at school this one bit of advice. "It's not what you play that makes a difference, it's what you don't play". There is a tendency for all of us drummers to overplay (especially new, young drummers) due to our natural excitement and adventurous nature. Record a song with a group and really rev up the drum fills. Record the same song without being as busy on the set. In most cases (not all), the simpler drum part wins. Knowing what to play and when to play it is all part of the game. Ringo did just that !!!!

[ag2217]

Ringo was by far the archetypical drummer of his day. Besides Charlie Watts (different Style but similar music genre) he stood out from any of the "British Invasion drummers" from say the pacemakers, and that ilk. For my money the best drummer of that era up through today. His son Zach is doing a great job especially with the who.
Now can anyone give me some tips on how to get "that sound" from the Abbey Road/Let It Be sessions? Plenty of drum gum, muffles, tape and a pillow in the bass drum? At the point I'm discussing he was using the Hollywood set of Ludwig's. a 22 inch bass but looking at certain pictures off of "Sweet Apple Trax" of that era I've only seen a pillow and some tape. The miking too also is a serious consideration but anything you can help with would be greatly appreciated. And I'd like facts not outrageous guesses. Thanks.

[tamadrm]

Ringo was by far the archetypical drummer of his day. Besides Charlie Watts (different Style but similar music genre) he stood out from any of the "British Invasion drummers" from say the pacemakers, and that ilk. For my money the best drummer of that era up through today. His son Zach is doing a great job especially with the who.
Now can anyone give me some tips on how to get "that sound" from the Abbey Road/Let It Be sessions? Plenty of drum gum, muffles, tape and a pillow in the bass drum? At the point I'm discussing he was using the Hollywood set of Ludwig's. a 22 inch bass but looking at certain pictures off of "Sweet Apple Trax" of that era I've only seen a pillow and some tape. The miking too also is a serious consideration but anything you can help with would be greatly appreciated. And I'd like facts not outrageous guesses. Thanks.

Its actually quite simple,and the answer is tea towels,on all the batter heads of his drums,including the snare.He draped them over the entire head and used a little gaffers tape to hold them in place.The bass had a folded up blanket inside,and the reso head removed.His floor tom also had the reso head removed.

Steve B

[larryz]

Surprised tea towel sales never took off after Abbey Road. It works though. Looks kinda crazy if gigging but the drummer from the Beatles cover band Rain did it.

[JoshuaPeterHooker]

Starr was not incredibly proficient from a technical perspective, but played perfectly in time and complemented his fellow musicians. One can ask no more of a percussionist.

[Doctor Dirt]

He didn't lobby to work with them, they were after him. He played in the best group in that area at that time as far as popularity Rory Storm & the Stormettes something like that hahahaha!!! Ringo wasn't a smash and kill cymbals type of drummer. He was pocket strong and used short fills which is what most groups that have strong vocals need. When he did ride out he used a wash technique that added a big fill sound in the background. Very good 4/4 player who could play country beats very clean. He also had an element of swing in his feel also which I think was rare in England then. Most drummers were trying to sound like Blues drummers or Motown recordings. Definetely not a great drummer but a drummer who played great in the Beatles. Doc

[Ian Williams]

An excellent time keeper...who did the job dead right in The Beatles!

[Doctor Dirt]

What Pop music isn't in 4!!! Try duplicating some of Ringos fills especially the snare to rack back to snare. He leads with his left hand not right. Hes a lefty on a righty kit and at times plays like a lefty, that in turns can cause a problem if your a righty and can't lead with your left. If you've never done it you'll find its not that easy for most. He understood dynamics and used them with simple technique like a slush hi hat to a tight sock hi hat when vocals came in. His washes were perfectly placed and the thing about Ringo wasn't so much his drumming as it was with his "thinking" he placed fills appropriately, he defined riffs and actually played with power and finese. I'm not sure why some folks knock Ringo he really fit the group perfectly, he had soft hands and a better foot than he needed in that group. There wasn't much need for quartering down and not much P. Jackson & M. Clarke grooves for Ringo & Paul hahahaha!!!! I'm not a big rock n Roll fan because so much of it stinks!! But when I hear heart n soul and the beat is good then I like it. Throw in imagination and talent, when those boys and their arrainger /engineer Mr. Martin hit the studio they were excellant and anyone who can't hear that and understand the amount of effort and work that went into that doesn't know Jack. Do I have to keep saying that this my opinion and it doesn't have to be read in a church or holy place of choice? I hope not! Doc.

[Ian Williams]

Enjoy it fellows:

Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band - Boys,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QufvphSTb2w&feature=related

...what a way to swing!