Ringo was the first rock drummer who turned the skins into a musical instrument. No one else would have come up with the concept of placing towels on the drums to get a soft muffled sound on Come Together. Listen to the perfect fills in Day In The Life. Listen to the very spare drumming on Penny Lane. Paul was a very good (but not the best) bassist, John was an average, if that, musician. George a reasonably good but not great guitarist. But they were among the best stylists on their respective instruments in rock history.
When I listen to music, I don’t want to listen to anyone’s technical chops. I want all musicians to serve the song---the musical destination of the imagination and the heart. When that requires technical skill--less than 20 percent of the time-- only then do I want to "hear" technical skill .
Note--Jim Keltner, Levon Helm and the like understood that.
Although I was a Who fan--Keith was often too predictable and created drum space for himself in songs whether the song called for excessive drumming or not. On the other hand, he was a very impactful and spectacular drummer on others (e.g. Baba O’Riley).
Ringo was simply virtually always tasteful and tuneful and often quite innovative.
When I listen to music, I don’t want to listen to anyone’s technical chops. I want all musicians to serve the song---the musical destination of the imagination and the heart. When that requires technical skill--less than 20 percent of the time-- only then do I want to "hear" technical skill .
Note--Jim Keltner, Levon Helm and the like understood that.
Although I was a Who fan--Keith was often too predictable and created drum space for himself in songs whether the song called for excessive drumming or not. On the other hand, he was a very impactful and spectacular drummer on others (e.g. Baba O’Riley).
Ringo was simply virtually always tasteful and tuneful and often quite innovative.