On this date sixty years ago, Ringo Starr made his first performing appearance with The Beatles. He turned 82 last month and still looks good.
I've come to really appreciate Ringo's drumming, which I did not so much during the 60s. If you've read this blog you know that I love Keith Moon, who played with flash, incredible energy and often was musically leading The Who. Ringo's style was very different and listening more deeply over the decades, I understand how well they served the songs. Ringo didn't have a "style" in the sense that Moon or John Bonham did.
The first time I noticed it in the 60s, was in the intro and first verse of Sgt Pepper's A Day In The Life (listen as Ringo kicks in about 47 seconds into the song) but, other than that, I didn't pay much attention to him. Now I understand much better what he brings to the music of The Beatles.
For one thing, there are few drummers who have more recognizable drum riffs. If all you heard were the drums you'd know what the song was.
Some examples:
I Feel Fine - the drum break at around 1:20, though Ringo's samba style beat throughout is outstanding.
Ticket To Ride - the off-kilter beat throughout the song; so distinctive.
Others I enjoy, listed chronologically:
The punctuated beat of She Loves You
The intro on the exuberant Tell Me Why, which also features one of Lennon's best vocals
Ringo has been often quoted that Rain is his favorite drumming part. Great interplay with McCartney's bass.
She Said She Said - that compressed cymbal sound and the subtle tempo change in the middle
Groundbreaking in many ways, Tomorrow Never Knows is held together by Ringo's unusual metronomic drum pattern and Paul's drone bass. This is before digital magic was available in the recording studio. It's Ringo live throughout.
Strawberry Fields Forever - wistful and beautiful. Ringo stays away from obvious choices.
And then we arrive at Abbey Road, the band's last recording and Ringo's consistently best and most innovative work from start to finish. It's worth listening to him on every song. We've already listened to Come Together, but we also have Something (particularly on the bridge), Here Comes The Sun. The End, and Polythene Pam/She Came In Through The Bathroom Window.
The special treat on Abbey Road is You Never Give Me Your Money, which is several different song snippets put together by Paul. I think it is one of the 5 best songs by the group. This video deconstructs each track so you can hear Ringo's brilliance but you should also listen to George and John's guitar work, Paul's piano track and the vocal track.
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