egafd.com

He did what was appropriate. A Ringo wouldn't have worked in The Who (and this is hindsight) just as his style wouldn't have worked for REM and yet it was great for The Beatles. You can't quantify band dynamics and come out with a conclusion that someone was a 'passenger'. I don't think it works like that.

Jonone, I agree with what you say about band dynamics. Often someone, regardless of whether they're a very good player, just 'fits' the band very well. Adam Clayton, the bassist in U2, is viewed by some as similar to how Ringo is often viewed. Not anything to write home about, but he 'fits'.

I think 'Help' has been 're-mastered', what that involves I don't know, but it does look very modern in its presentation. I have to say that most of The Beatles' films were completely ridiculous and only worked because they starred The Beatles. When fans are so into a certain band, person, or whatever, they will enjoy anything which features them because it is 'them'. Therefore you couldn't have had a 'bad' Beatles movie - just having them in it makes the thing brilliant as far as die-hard fans are concerned. Take a step back and analyse what is happening though and the whole thing is stupid beyond words. There are things such as comedy, irony, 'art', and so on - but there is also just total daftness. And 'Help' really is that!

'Passenger' is an insult. None of us were there .. suppose they were the individual that stopped the band imploding ? Suppose they were the peacemaker or the guy who could lighten an oppressive mood ? As time goes on that contribution is underplayed and ignored in favour of the lyricist, the person who came up with the melody, the innovative bridge or whatever, because they're less tangible and less measurable.

It's impossible to deny a forceful playing style like Moon's or Bonham's but that doesn't mean that a more subdued style such as Ringo's should be considered subsidiary and the man a 'passenger'.

I listened to each Beatles recording upon its release and, in each case, I was aware of the presence of drums. Furthermore, I was never aware of any feeling of dissatisfaction on my part as regards the drumming.

>I listened to each Beatles recording upon its release and, in each case,
>I was aware of the presence of drums. Furthermore, I was never aware
>of any feeling of dissatisfaction on my part as regards the drumming.

I went to see a Beatles tribute band a few months ago and they played many of their early hit singles and other well known early songs.

It is amazing how many of Ringo's in-fills are just right and seem as much a part of the song as say the guitar solo or the backing vocals.

No one would ever say he was a great drummer, but he was just right for the Beatles.