how many people in rock & roll can sing? Ringo can deliver a song.
April 17, 2015 8:31 AM Subscribe
"I don't want to bring in the violins, but we all came from hardship," says McCartney. "All of us except for George lost someone. I lost my mum when I was 14. John lost his mum. But Ringo had it worst. His father was gone; he was so sick they told his mum he wasn't going to live. Imagine making up your life from that, in that environment. No family, no school. He had to invent himself. We all had to come up with a shield, but Ringo came up with the strongest shield."In anticipation of the inimitable Mr. Starkey's imminent (and long-awaited) induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Rolling Stone presents Being Ringo: A Beatle's All-Starr Life.
Part of that shield was playing the fool; part of that shield was booze. It led to a lost decade of L.A./London/Monte Carlo partying where Ringo woke up many mornings wondering, "Why are the birds coughing so loudly?" But he's been sober for 26 years, and there's one essential thing that keeps Ringo young: the sticks and the drum kit.
The new Ringo song Rory and the Hurricanes is totally unironically great.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:37 AM on April 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:37 AM on April 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Every snide joke you’ve told about Ringo is wrong
HiLoBrow: Ringo Starr
posted by the man of twists and turns at 8:46 AM on April 17, 2015 [8 favorites]
HiLoBrow: Ringo Starr
posted by the man of twists and turns at 8:46 AM on April 17, 2015 [8 favorites]
I recall reading an article where a music theory expert went over some Beatles songs, and pointed out key decisions that really made the song. Like, "I Want to Hold Your Hand" switches from electric guitars to acoustic guitars and back again. And it turned out from looking at memoirs and other oral histories, that many of those little, key decisions happened to be Ringo's ideas.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 8:53 AM on April 17, 2015 [10 favorites]
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 8:53 AM on April 17, 2015 [10 favorites]
Rory and the Hurricanes
"Ringo Starr was the drummer for the Hurricanes before joining the Beatles in August 1962, replacing original drummer Pete Best." (Wikipedia)
posted by Mister Bijou at 9:00 AM on April 17, 2015
"Ringo Starr was the drummer for the Hurricanes before joining the Beatles in August 1962, replacing original drummer Pete Best." (Wikipedia)
posted by Mister Bijou at 9:00 AM on April 17, 2015
I have said for years that anyone who thinks Ringo was/is just a so-so percussionist needs to listen to "Rain" again.
posted by TDavis at 9:08 AM on April 17, 2015 [15 favorites]
posted by TDavis at 9:08 AM on April 17, 2015 [15 favorites]
Purdie, incidentally, claims to appear uncredited on a number of Beatles tracks where Ringo is credited. Go down that internet rabbit hole at your own peril.
Here's the rabbit hole.
posted by maxsparber at 9:13 AM on April 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Here's the rabbit hole.
posted by maxsparber at 9:13 AM on April 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
He's my favorite Beatle. I was only 4 when Lennon died and bummed out when George Harrison died of cancer. I know that when Ringo's time comes I will be genuinely sad. Don't get me wrong, MacCartney is awesome too but he just doesn't have that "cuddly" vibe, for lack of a better term.
posted by Renoroc at 9:14 AM on April 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Renoroc at 9:14 AM on April 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Ringo is a drum god. Simple as that. A sublimely solid, confident, musical, in the pocket, relaxed, deceptively *simple* and grooving as HELL drummer. One of the best, one of the very best.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:14 AM on April 17, 2015 [15 favorites]
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:14 AM on April 17, 2015 [15 favorites]
The No No Song should be enough to get a lifetime ban from the hall of fame.
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 9:14 AM on April 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 9:14 AM on April 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
More than redeemed by Ringo, a brilliant pop album. To my ears, it's better than any other Beatles solo album, with the possible exception of Plastic Ono Band, which would be a pointless comparison in either direction.
posted by ogooglebar at 9:20 AM on April 17, 2015
posted by ogooglebar at 9:20 AM on April 17, 2015
The No No Song should be enough to get a lifetime ban from the hall of fame.
And I said no, no, no, I don't snark anymore.
I'm tired of waking up on the floor.
No thank you please I only feel like a sleaze
And then I end up sounding like a bore
posted by wabbittwax at 9:20 AM on April 17, 2015 [13 favorites]
And I said no, no, no, I don't snark anymore.
I'm tired of waking up on the floor.
No thank you please I only feel like a sleaze
And then I end up sounding like a bore
posted by wabbittwax at 9:20 AM on April 17, 2015 [13 favorites]
Ringo should put out a rockabilly or country album. His covers of "Act Naturally," "Honey Don't," and "Matchbox" are great.
Helluva drummer, too.
posted by entropicamericana at 9:24 AM on April 17, 2015 [6 favorites]
Helluva drummer, too.
posted by entropicamericana at 9:24 AM on April 17, 2015 [6 favorites]
One of the great drummers but you'll never get him to admit it.
posted by tommasz at 9:37 AM on April 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by tommasz at 9:37 AM on April 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
Maxsparber: There is an episode of Star Trek: The Next Bunch of Guys where some Fed has serious charges to make against various Enterprise officers. Her evidence is circumstantial, subjective, unsupported, implies a conspiracy of silence; yet there is a hearing. The presiding admiral hears about two minutes-fifty of her case, and then -- without a word, glance, or gesture -- simply rises from his seat and walks out of the room.
cree-eak . . .
sshusss . . .
fwwipp
posted by Herodios at 9:39 AM on April 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
cree-eak . . .
sshusss . . .
fwwipp
posted by Herodios at 9:39 AM on April 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Purdie, incidentally, claims to appear uncredited on a number of Beatles tracks where Ringo is credited.
maxsparber's link pretty effectively demolishes this claim. I wonder why Purdie got so wedded to what is so obviously a lie? It seems like there was some shred of truth to the original claim (he overdubbed some of the Tony Sheridan Hamburg recordings with Pete Best's drumming) and over the years he convinced himself of a much grander narrative.
What's interesting about it, though, when you think of it, is that this famed studio drummer--precisely the kind of guy people would normally point to as someone a "pedestrian" drummer like Ringo couldn't hope to be compared with--listens to those Beatles tracks and thinks "yeah, damn, that's me! That is so good, there's no way it could be some dweeb from Liverpool." In a weird sort of way it's actually a pretty high accolade.
posted by yoink at 9:41 AM on April 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
maxsparber's link pretty effectively demolishes this claim. I wonder why Purdie got so wedded to what is so obviously a lie? It seems like there was some shred of truth to the original claim (he overdubbed some of the Tony Sheridan Hamburg recordings with Pete Best's drumming) and over the years he convinced himself of a much grander narrative.
What's interesting about it, though, when you think of it, is that this famed studio drummer--precisely the kind of guy people would normally point to as someone a "pedestrian" drummer like Ringo couldn't hope to be compared with--listens to those Beatles tracks and thinks "yeah, damn, that's me! That is so good, there's no way it could be some dweeb from Liverpool." In a weird sort of way it's actually a pretty high accolade.
posted by yoink at 9:41 AM on April 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'm always mystified and/or annoyed when people joke about how Ringo was just along for the ride. Anybody who's ever played in a band knows exactly how trivial the role of the drummer is, and how easy it is to have a great band without a great drummer.
posted by Sing Or Swim at 9:43 AM on April 17, 2015 [12 favorites]
posted by Sing Or Swim at 9:43 AM on April 17, 2015 [12 favorites]
I've read the Abbey Road Recording Sessions book a couple of times now. The book details what the Beatles did in the studio every day, and once, only once (the author points it out) does a take stop and they have to restart because Ringo screws up.
I love that article. I really like reading about aging rock stars who lived and are happy.
posted by marxchivist at 9:43 AM on April 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
I love that article. I really like reading about aging rock stars who lived and are happy.
posted by marxchivist at 9:43 AM on April 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
The closest I've been to being in a band is the Rock Band video game, but anyone who wants to piss on Ringo's talent is welcome to try playing the Beatles version on Expert mode and let us know how you do.
posted by zombieflanders at 9:46 AM on April 17, 2015 [11 favorites]
posted by zombieflanders at 9:46 AM on April 17, 2015 [11 favorites]
I loved the No No Song when I was a kid. You can't take that away from me.
TVO recently broadcast Good Ol' Freda, a documentary about the Beatles' secretary (summary if you can't play the video). She talks about all the members, but seems especially fond of all the Starkeys (and the Harrisons) calling Ringo "Ritchie" throughout. So Ringo is now Ritchie to me, too.
posted by maudlin at 9:48 AM on April 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
TVO recently broadcast Good Ol' Freda, a documentary about the Beatles' secretary (summary if you can't play the video). She talks about all the members, but seems especially fond of all the Starkeys (and the Harrisons) calling Ringo "Ritchie" throughout. So Ringo is now Ritchie to me, too.
posted by maudlin at 9:48 AM on April 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
He dropped on the world that groovy beat to “Ticket to Ride” (OK, the beat was Paul’s idea, but Ringo nailed it)
Yes, well, while I believe that Ringo executed all those drum parts -- with two and half exceptions -- it's pretty well established that he was fairly closely directed by Martin and the other three, increasingly and most minutely by Paul. George had the same complaint.
As for this:
No one will ever confuse his unfussy approach to timekeeping with John Bonham’s raw power and monster groove, Neil Peart’s percussive wizardry . . .
Oh, would or I that rock'n'roll had a thousand Ringos, ere it had a single Bonham or Peart.
posted by Herodios at 9:48 AM on April 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
Yes, well, while I believe that Ringo executed all those drum parts -- with two and half exceptions -- it's pretty well established that he was fairly closely directed by Martin and the other three, increasingly and most minutely by Paul. George had the same complaint.
As for this:
No one will ever confuse his unfussy approach to timekeeping with John Bonham’s raw power and monster groove, Neil Peart’s percussive wizardry . . .
Oh, would or I that rock'n'roll had a thousand Ringos, ere it had a single Bonham or Peart.
posted by Herodios at 9:48 AM on April 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
Anyone who can't appreciate the quiet sublimnity of a drummer who virtually never fucks up is someone who has never played in a band.
posted by KathrynT at 9:55 AM on April 17, 2015 [38 favorites]
posted by KathrynT at 9:55 AM on April 17, 2015 [38 favorites]
I have said for years that anyone who thinks Ringo was/is just a so-so percussionist needs to listen to "Rain" again.
and "She Said She Said"
posted by Lucinda at 10:13 AM on April 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
and "She Said She Said"
posted by Lucinda at 10:13 AM on April 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'll admit I've been a three Beatles plus Ringo in my past, it was ignorant. I am pleased for him.
posted by Samuel Farrow at 10:20 AM on April 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Samuel Farrow at 10:20 AM on April 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
The defenses of Ringo's drumming would be more relevant if here weren't already in the Hall of Fame as part of the Beatles. I'm not sure the case for enshrining him there a second time is as strong, especially when you consider the guy the article describes as his best friend, Harry Nilsson, doesn't seem to have even been nominated in the 20 years he's been eligible.
posted by layceepee at 10:20 AM on April 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by layceepee at 10:20 AM on April 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
The No No Song should be enough to get a lifetime ban from the hall of fame.
The No No Song was my first record. I heard it on the radio in the car once or twice, at home or in a store once or twice, and I begged and begged for that song. I don't remember who bought it for me, my mother or a grandparent.
I was three.
I played the shit out of that 45. Still got it. I have recently bought the mp3, and am struck again by its genius. What I had thought-without-thinking was just a warped-record thing was not; the music even sounds drunk.
Snookeroo*, now, I have never had any use for.
*the B-side
posted by you must supply a verb at 10:32 AM on April 17, 2015
The No No Song was my first record. I heard it on the radio in the car once or twice, at home or in a store once or twice, and I begged and begged for that song. I don't remember who bought it for me, my mother or a grandparent.
I was three.
I played the shit out of that 45. Still got it. I have recently bought the mp3, and am struck again by its genius. What I had thought-without-thinking was just a warped-record thing was not; the music even sounds drunk.
Snookeroo*, now, I have never had any use for.
*the B-side
posted by you must supply a verb at 10:32 AM on April 17, 2015
The No No Song should be enough to get a lifetime ban from the hall of fame.
... and the only person I know who ever met him claims he was an asshole*.
On the other hand, he was the only drummer the world's greatest band ever needed (once they found him). Also Back Off Boogaloo.
it happened in LA so I guess it can be chalked up to that alcoholism infused " ... lost decade of L.A./London/Monte Carlo".
posted by philip-random at 11:00 AM on April 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
... and the only person I know who ever met him claims he was an asshole*.
On the other hand, he was the only drummer the world's greatest band ever needed (once they found him). Also Back Off Boogaloo.
it happened in LA so I guess it can be chalked up to that alcoholism infused " ... lost decade of L.A./London/Monte Carlo".
posted by philip-random at 11:00 AM on April 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
I always thought that Ringo was the best actor out of the four and that's why Hard Day's Night and Help! center around him for the most part. (Well, there's also a lot of Paul's "grandfather" in the former.)
His lead vocals are also a hoot--while "Yellow Submarine" is just fun to sing, my real love is for "Don't Pass Me By."
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 11:06 AM on April 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
His lead vocals are also a hoot--while "Yellow Submarine" is just fun to sing, my real love is for "Don't Pass Me By."
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 11:06 AM on April 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
... just a so-so percussionist needs to listen to "Rain" again.
Another example is "Helter Skelter". (Harder to hear behind all the showing-off.)
Ring was a rock. And approved by George Martin. Did his job and didn't show-off.
posted by Twang at 11:09 AM on April 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Another example is "Helter Skelter". (Harder to hear behind all the showing-off.)
Ring was a rock. And approved by George Martin. Did his job and didn't show-off.
posted by Twang at 11:09 AM on April 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
There's not a single mention in any of these links of his narration in Thomas the Tank Engine, which is kind of a high water mark for the 1980s.
posted by meehawl at 11:31 AM on April 17, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by meehawl at 11:31 AM on April 17, 2015 [6 favorites]
His whole career as an actor is absent, perhaps understandably, but, since we have mentioned Harry Nilsson, Starr narrates the animated version of The Point.
I especially love that he was one of four members of the biggest band in history, a band that had a string of successful films in their career, many of which highlight his quirky screen charisma (A Hard Day's Night spends a lot more time on a detour with Starr than with any other Beatle). And yet, upon the band's end, Starr immediately gravitated toward cult films. His first two out of the box were Candy and The Magic Christian, and he's in 200 Motels, Son of Dracula, Listzomania, Sextette, starred in Caveman, and provided a voice in The Power Puff Girls.
If he wasn't already Ringo Starr, I would be fascinated by this guy just based on his film career.
posted by maxsparber at 11:40 AM on April 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
I especially love that he was one of four members of the biggest band in history, a band that had a string of successful films in their career, many of which highlight his quirky screen charisma (A Hard Day's Night spends a lot more time on a detour with Starr than with any other Beatle). And yet, upon the band's end, Starr immediately gravitated toward cult films. His first two out of the box were Candy and The Magic Christian, and he's in 200 Motels, Son of Dracula, Listzomania, Sextette, starred in Caveman, and provided a voice in The Power Puff Girls.
If he wasn't already Ringo Starr, I would be fascinated by this guy just based on his film career.
posted by maxsparber at 11:40 AM on April 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
Really, there is only one person who could be described as Best of the Beatles.
Because his name was Best.
They kicked him out.
posted by ckape at 11:56 AM on April 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Because his name was Best.
They kicked him out.
posted by ckape at 11:56 AM on April 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
There's a scene in Give My Regards To Broad Street that sums up Ringo perfectly. He comes to McCartney's studio, sits at his kit, and is told the track will be using brushes. Ringo looks like he's been told to drum with rubber chickens. He spends the entire song digging through his gear, trying to find brushes, to no avail.
Ringo is a hard-hitting psycho. He is the rock drummer. His induction is long overdue.
posted by Aya Hirano on the Astral Plane at 12:27 PM on April 17, 2015 [5 favorites]
Ringo is a hard-hitting psycho. He is the rock drummer. His induction is long overdue.
posted by Aya Hirano on the Astral Plane at 12:27 PM on April 17, 2015 [5 favorites]
Anyone who can't appreciate the quiet sublimnity of a drummer who virtually never fucks up is someone who has never played in a band.
and this is why the beatles were able to experiment and hone their sound as much as they did - they had a drummer who could lay it down quickly and give them the time and foundation to figure out everything else - he could even come up with or be instructed to play unusual beats and get them right away
a lot of other bands had to wait for their drummer to get their act together - or hire one
Oh, would or I that rock'n'roll had a thousand Ringos, ere it had a single Bonham or Peart.
no, no, no, bonham was totally worthy, one of the greats
peart - phhhhhhht - one of the most overrated drummers in rock
posted by pyramid termite at 12:44 PM on April 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
and this is why the beatles were able to experiment and hone their sound as much as they did - they had a drummer who could lay it down quickly and give them the time and foundation to figure out everything else - he could even come up with or be instructed to play unusual beats and get them right away
a lot of other bands had to wait for their drummer to get their act together - or hire one
Oh, would or I that rock'n'roll had a thousand Ringos, ere it had a single Bonham or Peart.
no, no, no, bonham was totally worthy, one of the greats
peart - phhhhhhht - one of the most overrated drummers in rock
posted by pyramid termite at 12:44 PM on April 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
I don't really know anything about drumming, Ringo, or even the Beatles for that matter.
But if he was good enough for the rest of the Beatles (who let's face it, could have gotten any drummer they wanted once they became _The Beatles_) and good enough for some of the biggest record producers of that era, well, then he's good enough for me.
I mean, Paul and John don't exactly have a reputation of being laid-back and easy about their music, I can't imagine they'd have a crap-ass drummer for any longer than they had to.
posted by madajb at 12:52 PM on April 17, 2015 [5 favorites]
But if he was good enough for the rest of the Beatles (who let's face it, could have gotten any drummer they wanted once they became _The Beatles_) and good enough for some of the biggest record producers of that era, well, then he's good enough for me.
I mean, Paul and John don't exactly have a reputation of being laid-back and easy about their music, I can't imagine they'd have a crap-ass drummer for any longer than they had to.
posted by madajb at 12:52 PM on April 17, 2015 [5 favorites]
That Patrick Berkery Salon.com piece linked above nails it. Ringo is the best friend a song could ever have, knowing exactly when and how to be sympathetic, helpful, inspiring or contrary. Or maybe he was more like the perfect parent -- he knew when to be supportive, when to be a disciplinarian, when to dish out snacks and when to serve the vegetables, when to join the fun & games and when to just drive the minivan while the kids laugh and play in the back seat. Everything he did served the music, and served it so well that virtually every Beatles recording sounds like the Platonic ideal of that particular song. I once read an interview with Ringo in which he peevishly tried to gainsay his detractors with the example of what he called (something like) "that disillusioned little fill" in A Day In The Life (after the line, "He blew his mind out in a car"). That fill shows the genius of Ringo as a drummer: he knew the song needed a feeling of "disillusionment" right there AND he was able to create it simply by hitting things with sticks.
posted by newmoistness at 12:55 PM on April 17, 2015 [18 favorites]
posted by newmoistness at 12:55 PM on April 17, 2015 [18 favorites]
From the man of twists and turns's link:
posted by Fizz at 1:06 PM on April 17, 2015 [4 favorites]
"Mock the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame all you want — from opting to induct Bruce Springsteen without the E Street Band because only Bruce’s name appeared on the album covers..."There are just some things you can't forgive...
posted by Fizz at 1:06 PM on April 17, 2015 [4 favorites]
peart - phhhhhhht - one of the most overrated drummers in rock
I agree, but I think he's a fine rock drummer - it's just that his fans have blown him up way beyond proportion.
posted by thelonius at 1:24 PM on April 17, 2015
I agree, but I think he's a fine rock drummer - it's just that his fans have blown him up way beyond proportion.
posted by thelonius at 1:24 PM on April 17, 2015
*snif* Yeh, he's awright.
Actually, being the drummer for (essentially) the entire existence of the greatest band ever and playing drums backwards the whole time - props due. Plus it wasn't like surviving the hurricane with Mssrs. Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison was all yuks. You couldn't do it. That's why I got out see.
posted by petebest at 2:14 PM on April 17, 2015 [4 favorites]
Actually, being the drummer for (essentially) the entire existence of the greatest band ever and playing drums backwards the whole time - props due. Plus it wasn't like surviving the hurricane with Mssrs. Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison was all yuks. You couldn't do it. That's why I got out see.
posted by petebest at 2:14 PM on April 17, 2015 [4 favorites]
Ringo should put out a rockabilly or country album
He did, in 1970. Beaucoups of Blues. It's terrific, has Pete Drake on pedal steel.
When Ringo joined the Beatles he was a bigger star than they were.
posted by Fnarf at 2:24 PM on April 17, 2015 [9 favorites]
He did, in 1970. Beaucoups of Blues. It's terrific, has Pete Drake on pedal steel.
When Ringo joined the Beatles he was a bigger star than they were.
posted by Fnarf at 2:24 PM on April 17, 2015 [9 favorites]
maybe a drummer (flapjax@midnight, I'm looking at you!) can chime in about the fact that Ringo is a lefty who plays righty. I'm told that this influences the way he plays, how certain fills are completely natural to him that would be awkward if not unplayable to a more traditional player.
posted by fingers_of_fire at 3:33 PM on April 17, 2015
posted by fingers_of_fire at 3:33 PM on April 17, 2015
He just seems like a very big-hearted guy.
(Honestly, I don't have a favorite Beatle.)
posted by newdaddy at 5:34 PM on April 17, 2015
(Honestly, I don't have a favorite Beatle.)
posted by newdaddy at 5:34 PM on April 17, 2015
Awesome article about an awesome guy.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 5:54 PM on April 17, 2015
posted by The Underpants Monster at 5:54 PM on April 17, 2015
On the other hand, he was the only drummer the world's greatest band ever needed (once they found him).
Well, also until he quit for a little while. John, in a characteristically venomous mood, supposedly once responded to an interviewer's question about Ringo with, "The best drummer in the world? He wasn't even the best drummer in the fucking Beatles." (I think John -- if indeed he said this -- was being unduly harsh: Ringo is pretty solid.)
Paul subbed for him with let-us-generously-call-it competence on a few songs, but that said, my there is a stretch of "Dear Prudence" (roughly 2:50 to 3:20) where Paul brings it on drums. I am an indifferent drummer, but I am happy to pound the plastic Rock Band kit on that song quite a lot.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:01 PM on April 17, 2015
Well, also until he quit for a little while. John, in a characteristically venomous mood, supposedly once responded to an interviewer's question about Ringo with, "The best drummer in the world? He wasn't even the best drummer in the fucking Beatles." (I think John -- if indeed he said this -- was being unduly harsh: Ringo is pretty solid.)
Paul subbed for him with let-us-generously-call-it competence on a few songs, but that said, my there is a stretch of "Dear Prudence" (roughly 2:50 to 3:20) where Paul brings it on drums. I am an indifferent drummer, but I am happy to pound the plastic Rock Band kit on that song quite a lot.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:01 PM on April 17, 2015
...how trivial the role of the drummer is, and how easy it is to have a great band without a great drummer.
The Who and Led Zeppelin were classic great bands that really lost their essential cohesion without their original drummers.
I started to really like Ringo as a musician from listening closely to the drumming on 'A Day in In The Life'.
posted by ovvl at 8:50 PM on April 17, 2015
The Who and Led Zeppelin were classic great bands that really lost their essential cohesion without their original drummers.
I started to really like Ringo as a musician from listening closely to the drumming on 'A Day in In The Life'.
posted by ovvl at 8:50 PM on April 17, 2015
... and the only person I know who ever met him claims he was an asshole*.
There's always going to be that kind of story about every beloved celebrity. Some of my family is friends with some of his family, and my parents have hung out with "Ritchie and Barbara" on a few occasions. Mostly what I hear is that he has a really great sense of humor, and is generally a nice guy to boot. I like to think my sample of one cancels out your sample of one.
He did, in 1970. Beaucoups of Blues . It's terrific, has Pete Drake on pedal steel.
No effin way! That's amazing. Two major heroes of mine, together at last!
posted by teponaztli at 9:16 PM on April 17, 2015
There's always going to be that kind of story about every beloved celebrity. Some of my family is friends with some of his family, and my parents have hung out with "Ritchie and Barbara" on a few occasions. Mostly what I hear is that he has a really great sense of humor, and is generally a nice guy to boot. I like to think my sample of one cancels out your sample of one.
He did, in 1970. Beaucoups of Blues . It's terrific, has Pete Drake on pedal steel.
No effin way! That's amazing. Two major heroes of mine, together at last!
posted by teponaztli at 9:16 PM on April 17, 2015
I have said for years that anyone who thinks Ringo was/is just a so-so percussionist needs to listen to "Rain" again.
And "A Day in the Life," and "Oh! Darling," and "The End," and "Happiness is a Warm Gun," and "She Said, She Said" ...
posted by John Cohen at 9:29 PM on April 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
And "A Day in the Life," and "Oh! Darling," and "The End," and "Happiness is a Warm Gun," and "She Said, She Said" ...
posted by John Cohen at 9:29 PM on April 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
"Ringo Starr was the drummer for the Hurricanes before joining the Beatles in August 1962, replacing original drummer Pete Best."
A bigger fan of The Beatles than I is fond of saying Ringo is the luckiest bastard in the world - he married a Bond girl, he was in The Beatles and, before he was in The Beatles, he got to see The Beatles play.
posted by crossoverman at 10:17 PM on April 17, 2015 [4 favorites]
A bigger fan of The Beatles than I is fond of saying Ringo is the luckiest bastard in the world - he married a Bond girl, he was in The Beatles and, before he was in The Beatles, he got to see The Beatles play.
posted by crossoverman at 10:17 PM on April 17, 2015 [4 favorites]
I just want to second that Ringo's country album Beaucoups of Blues from 1970 is fantastic. Probably in my top 5 Beatles solo albums.
posted by saul wright at 10:58 AM on April 18, 2015
posted by saul wright at 10:58 AM on April 18, 2015
anyone who thinks Ringo was/is just a so-so percussionist needs to listen to "Rain" again.
{is long-standing Beatles fan, has heard the song tens of times if not passing a hundred}
{never thought Ringo was so-so, in fact had never thought much about Ringo at all}
{goes to YouTube, listens, and pays attention to the drum track}
{eyes slowly widen}
That... That's texture. Simply by changing the tempo of the beats he changes the density, which changes the overall fullness of sound and volume---both up and down---and makes the whole thing crescendo or decrescendo without anyone on the track actually changing their instantaneous dynamic level.
That's in She Said, She Said as well. And in Strawberry Fields Forever, which YouTube automatically started playing for me when I came over to type this comment.
And another thing that I had never thought about was madajb's point: These are the guys who had the London Symphony Orchestra on call for a while, if they wanted another drummer they would have got him in a heartbeat once they left the stage for the studio, and if they thought they needed another drummer they would have wanted another drummer all right.
I... think I need to go listen to the whole Beatle oeuvre again, I'm about to hear Yet More New Things. This is going to be the opposite of sucky. Thanks, divine by radio, for the post, and everyone who commented here pointing those things out.
(As for pointing out that Ringo was sometimes directed very closely by Paul... Yeah, and Pollini plays music written by Chopin, not himself, too. I don't see how that is a detraction.)
posted by seyirci at 12:57 PM on April 18, 2015 [4 favorites]
{is long-standing Beatles fan, has heard the song tens of times if not passing a hundred}
{never thought Ringo was so-so, in fact had never thought much about Ringo at all}
{goes to YouTube, listens, and pays attention to the drum track}
{eyes slowly widen}
That... That's texture. Simply by changing the tempo of the beats he changes the density, which changes the overall fullness of sound and volume---both up and down---and makes the whole thing crescendo or decrescendo without anyone on the track actually changing their instantaneous dynamic level.
That's in She Said, She Said as well. And in Strawberry Fields Forever, which YouTube automatically started playing for me when I came over to type this comment.
And another thing that I had never thought about was madajb's point: These are the guys who had the London Symphony Orchestra on call for a while, if they wanted another drummer they would have got him in a heartbeat once they left the stage for the studio, and if they thought they needed another drummer they would have wanted another drummer all right.
I... think I need to go listen to the whole Beatle oeuvre again, I'm about to hear Yet More New Things. This is going to be the opposite of sucky. Thanks, divine by radio, for the post, and everyone who commented here pointing those things out.
(As for pointing out that Ringo was sometimes directed very closely by Paul... Yeah, and Pollini plays music written by Chopin, not himself, too. I don't see how that is a detraction.)
posted by seyirci at 12:57 PM on April 18, 2015 [4 favorites]
Don't forget how courteous he is - writing back to all of his fan letters.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:56 AM on April 21, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 9:56 AM on April 21, 2015 [4 favorites]
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PEACE AND LUV
posted by St. Hubbins at 8:33 AM on April 17, 2015 [5 favorites]