1960's and Ringo Starr

Picking an album that defies the 1960’s to drum with can be a daunting task.  The concept of the album was still a few years away and record companies were still following their methods of selling 45’s with a hit single and “B” side tune. That was it.  It wasn’t until a group known as The Beatles emerged and changed everything in the music business.  So it is the Beatles “1” that I chose to jam with.

I have never been a big fan of Ringo Starr.  I always thought his playing was overhyped because of his association with the band that changed everything.  It wasn’t until I started practicing to a number of The Beatles albums that I realized just how amazing Ringo was and still is.

For all of you younger folks whom don’t know Ringo wasn’t the first drummer for the Beatles.  Instead it was a man by the name of Pete Best.  Producer, and fifth Beatle, George Martin felt that Best couldn’t keep time well enough to record a record so he suggested the band bring in Starr.  And that is when the Beatles, as we know, were born.

Listen to any Beatles song ad you will quickly find out that Ringo is one hell of a time- keeper.  Listen a little deeper and you will hear the jazz that came before him and the rock and roll that will follow through the 70’s and beyond.

One of the best ways to witness Starr’s influence is in his playing and how that playing carries forward to other great drummers.  Listen to “A Hard Day’s Night” and you hear the free form rock and roll that includes jazzy tom rolls that would eventually define The Who drummer Keith Moon.  “Can’t Buy Me Love” among many other tunes show his influence on the soon to come John Bonham of Led Zeppelin. 

There is no doubt that Ringo will influence hordes of other drummers, but take a second listen and you will also hear jazzes influence on him.  “I Feel Fine” is a Jazz Mambo.  “Can’t Buy Me Love” is a swinging/boogie woogie.  In fact one of Ringo’s greatest attributes is his ability to maintain solid rock time while allowing those jazz influences to come through in creative ways that would forever define the studio drummer.  

If you are serious about drumming you MUST listen to Ringo Starr and The Beatles.  Inside their albums and countless hits you will be influenced like the many other great drummers who looked to the Starr.