Originally Posted By: JimFogle
I believe Ringo's personality and his solid as a rock backbeat allowed the other members to grow musically. His job was to provide a foundation. He was the best drummer for that job.


According to Bob Spitz in "The Beatles," this is absolutely the case. Pete Best could only play "four on the floor" and had a bad attitude. Ringo had been playing around Liverpool for years and had a reputation for being reliable and competent. He was also two years older than any of the others. It was hoped that his relative maturity would rub off. Oh, well.

With the given that I am not a drummer and haven't critically evaluated too many other drummers, having gone back as an adult and listened to Ringo's playing on better sound systems than I had available when I was young, I'd have to say that he was also a master of tone. Maybe other bands' drummers were buried in the mix or something, but Mr. Starkey's sound really stands out IMO. I'd be curious to hear others' assessment.

"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."