If Nicol had been altered by 10 days exposure to the incomprehensible madness of Beatlemania, what did eight years exposure do to the other four?
Paul McCartney
Never shy to bump Harrison out of the way for a lead guitar solo, McCartney had initially served sporadic terms as the group's drummer during their Quarry Men days and again at various periods in Hamburg and Liverpool, particularly during Pete Best’s absence or solo singing spots. When Ringo Starr quit the group and walked out of the recording sessions for the White Album (ironically over an argument with McCartney about his drum part) McCartney took over. He taped a particularly credible – if slightly wooden – perfromance on "Back in the USSR", "Dear Prudence" and later on "The Ballad of John and Yoko".
John Lennon & George Harrison
During the same session for "Back in the USSR" in which Starr walked out, Harrison and Lennon also overdubbed drum tracks to augment McCartney’s. Allegedly on the stereo mix McCartney’s drum track can be heard in the left speaker, with Harrison’s and Lennon’s blended on the right. Incredibly, "Back in the USSR" is unique in that it features all three Beatles minus Starr on drums, with his colleagues taking over his part after his playing fell under criticism.
This was no easy band to be in, for sure!
Photo credit: Brian Farrell
Article comments
1 - Britt
While Richard Starkey/Ringo Starr may not choose to mark this 50th anniversary, there are countless of his grateful fans who will! Much has and will continue to be written about the guy who became the heart(beat) and soul of the greatest band ever, so I won't try to say it all here -- except to add this one thing: Ringo was and is the best looking member of The Beatles. Handsome beyond words --absolutely striking, elegant, and masculine, so I chafe a little when I read that he wasn't. The other three were fine looking, too, but a little delicate, to be frank. Ritchie was and is the man. Take a good look, world -- you'll see.
And I'd bet good money that it was his easy-going, conciliatory nature -- coupled with his well-documented unique and egoless drumming -- that kept the other three comfortable, and John and Paul in particular from becoming overly jealous of him, thereby preserving the Fab Four for almost 10 years.
Peace & Love, Ringo!
2 - Johnny Rhythm
Fair point Britt. What I meant was that he wasn't handsome in a conventional way. Whatever that really means. But you're right he was the bee's knee's. Ringo forever.
3 - edvado
No creditable source for that John Lennon quote about Ringo not being the best drummer in the Beatles exists.
4 - Johnny Rhythm
Granted, edvado. Allegedly replied. Thanks for the comment
5 - Liz
I realize it's pick on McCartney these days in Ireland and the UK. But the fact is: Paul's drumming is terrific on Dear Prudence. And his drumming on both Back in the USSR and Ballad of John and Yoko fit rough-rock sensibility of both tunes. Plus, let's face it, there are plenty of examples where Ringo's drumming was "slightly wooden."
Just listen to the drumming Paul did on Band on the Run to get a feel for how good he was. And George Martin himself said Paul was "an excellent drummer." Paul worked with Ringo throughout the Beatles' recording, and the drumming arrangements were usually Paul's ideas. Ringo was versatile enough to be able to do what Paul wanted.
A moratorium on knee-jerk slams at Paul would be nice.
6 - Johnny Rhythm
Liz, relax, no one is knee-jerk slamming Paul McCartney, at least I'm not. And nobody is attacking his drumming on the three songs mentioned.
Paul's drumming on all three song's is top notch, but a tad forced. I said a little wooden because as a trained drummer with over 30 years experience I (think I) have a good ear for the difference between the groove of someone who is natural at it (Ringo) and someone who has to work at it a little (Paul).
Paul and the others certainly gave direction to Ringo, and other band members. But Ringo played the drums.
It's no secret at all that Paul was the pushiest of the group in the studio, he's admitted it himself. And from memoirs to Let It Be film scenes the evidence is out there. Have a look around.
He pushed the others a little harder.
So, I'm not attacking Paul at all, I'm merely stating fact. He argued with Ringo about his drum parts (evidence shows he was doing it as far back as Love Me Do in September 1962) and Ringo walked out. You can also catch he and George doing the same thing in a heated exchange in Let It Be.
Paul was a perfectionist. You could argue that had it's pro's (Sgt Pepper for one) and its con's (contributing factor in the groups demise.)
Either way, I'm expressing an opinion based on available evidence and aural analysis. I invite you to disagree with my opinion. That's what the great debate is all about, and what makes listening to these records so glorious.
Thanks and have a good weekend
Johnny
7 - Johnny Rhythm
By the way, Liz. In my opinion. Paul's drumming on Band On The Run is great and does the job, but is slightly stiff and wooden. Just my opinion you understand.
8 - james knaggs
with out a good drummer like ringo you have no rythem every band needs a good drummer and by god they had it thanks johnny for a great article all the best james knaggs native roses ps moses bogarde has rythem