SandwichShortOfAPicnic
Legendary Member
I don’t know anyone here who would say he was a good drummer
They were friends and he was a member of their band so they stuck by him and his basic drumming.
I like that. Bit of loyalty n all that.
Plans for today (2024)
- Thread starter SatNavSaysStraightOn
- Start date
They were friends and he was a member of their band so they stuck by him and his basic drumming.
I like that. Bit of loyalty n all that.
All you have to know about Ringo’s drumming is what other professional drummers say about him. He’s held in extremely high regard.
Excellent pocket/groove drummer, just not a flash jazz-fusion drummer (thank god), which was what was coming into vogue by the end of the ‘60’s. Also very versatile, having no issue with keeping up with the growing complexity of L & M’s writing and the overall production of the music. Oddball time signatures…shifting time signatures within a song…Harrison’s Eastern-influenced stuff…McCartney’s vaudeville stuff…he handled it just fine.
My personal favorite performance of his is the drumming on Rain - that’s a very active drum part, and it’s even more impressive when you realize the backing was recorded roughly half again as fast, then the tape slowed down for the final mix. Mr. Starkey was cooking on that track.
As much as anything, a good indication of his ability is that on a whole lot of Beatle songs, if you listen just to the drum track, you can tell the song. He had some wonderfully idiosyncratic parts. Very supple playing style.
Oh…as to the name “Beatles,” that evolved over time, but was first thought up as an homage to Buddy Holly & the Crickets, by Stu Sutcliffe (if the part of my brain dedicated to Beatles lore isn’t malfunctioning). Spelling changed a few times before settling on Beatles-with-an-A, and yes, due to playing “beat” music.
Oh, and remember when it became trendy for rock stars to put out albums of pop standards from before the rock era (looking at you, Rod Stewart…
)? - Ringo did it first, all the way back in 1970 with his first solo album, Sentimental Journey, anticipating the trend. That’s just a weird little bonus.
Excellent pocket/groove drummer, just not a flash jazz-fusion drummer (thank god), which was what was coming into vogue by the end of the ‘60’s. Also very versatile, having no issue with keeping up with the growing complexity of L & M’s writing and the overall production of the music. Oddball time signatures…shifting time signatures within a song…Harrison’s Eastern-influenced stuff…McCartney’s vaudeville stuff…he handled it just fine.
My personal favorite performance of his is the drumming on Rain - that’s a very active drum part, and it’s even more impressive when you realize the backing was recorded roughly half again as fast, then the tape slowed down for the final mix. Mr. Starkey was cooking on that track.
As much as anything, a good indication of his ability is that on a whole lot of Beatle songs, if you listen just to the drum track, you can tell the song. He had some wonderfully idiosyncratic parts. Very supple playing style.
Oh…as to the name “Beatles,” that evolved over time, but was first thought up as an homage to Buddy Holly & the Crickets, by Stu Sutcliffe (if the part of my brain dedicated to Beatles lore isn’t malfunctioning). Spelling changed a few times before settling on Beatles-with-an-A, and yes, due to playing “beat” music.
Oh, and remember when it became trendy for rock stars to put out albums of pop standards from before the rock era (looking at you, Rod Stewart…
)? - Ringo did it first, all the way back in 1970 with his first solo album, Sentimental Journey, anticipating the trend. That’s just a weird little bonus.
Little bit of trivia… No No was co-written by Hoyt Axton, very under-appreciated songwriter, and an even more under-appreciated performer.
SandwichShortOfAPicnic
Legendary Member
A lot on today I won’t bore you with but I am looking forward to making the paella and some homemade garlic mayonnaise 
Timenspace
Legendary Member
That is an interesting topic. What is the inspiration for the band's name?
Beat less, ironically?
I really do like many of their songs, but I never thought about the name much...
Timenspace
Legendary Member
Ooh is that so? Interesting. I had no clue. Thanks!
SandwichShortOfAPicnic
Legendary Member
I think I need to revisit my opinion on Ringo.
It was formed when I was a child and for every good or successful muso there's another fifty waiting to bash them to death with their handbags
He was definitely perfect for the Beatles. I perhaps have been influenced by others opinions when I was too young to know any better.
TastyReuben what tracks would you recommend I listen to for a bit of good Ringo drumming?
It was formed when I was a child and for every good or successful muso there's another fifty waiting to bash them to death with their handbags
He was definitely perfect for the Beatles. I perhaps have been influenced by others opinions when I was too young to know any better.
TastyReuben what tracks would you recommend I listen to for a bit of good Ringo drumming?
I submit some personal favorites later, but I want this to stand alone:
That’s Rain at the original recorded speed. He’s flying around that kit (and credit where credit is due for McCartney’s rollicking bass line - one of his best as well).
Plans for today - I took the day off so I could concentrate on afternoon tea tomorrow. I’ve got my hour-by-hour plan, and I’m working that today. That’s where my focus is. Afternoon tea. Tea in the afternoon. Afternoon. Tea. Tea. Afternoon.
I'm off to the British Embassy residence, where the chef has asked me to help him with his Chicken Tikka Masala/Onion Bhajees/Vindaloo/ Jalfrezi and probably things like "how on earth do I make roast potatoes?"
SandwichShortOfAPicnic
Legendary Member
Thanks I'll have a listen when I'm near a better speaker, phone speakers aren't music worthy!
JAS_OH1
Forum GOD!
Roast potatoes with tikka?
badjak
Über Member
Tikka tatties