Q: Do you still have a relationship with Phil Spector?Ī: Not anymore. Later on, we got to know Phil and appreciate Phil, and if you look at “Let It Be” with (Spector’s production), when they took it off and it’s now called “Let it Be… Naked,” in all honesty it’s better naked. Q: Who was a better producer, Phil Spector or George Martin?Ī: George Martin. They all had their style, and it just worked so well, and you can’t imagine The Band without Levon. And Levon – The Band were like The Beatles band. Don’t call me if you’re doing a jazz record. Jim Keltner is the most versatile drummer I know. Q: Really? You would say that they are better than you in their own way?Ī: Well, it’s not a question of better. Q: You’re a fan of Jim Keltner and Levon Helm, guys like that. But in Liverpool when we were lads, sitting in coffee bars, there were several drummers I thought were too busy, and I remember we had deep, meaningful discussions about how busy they were, and how not busy I was. Even with Motown, with the rock, from Eddie Cochran on, really, I listened to the record, not like, “Oh, the drums, the drums!” I wasn’t that sort of person. I mean, Coleman Hawkins and Yusef Lateef are more interesting to me. I’m wondering who some of your favorite jazz drummers are.Ī: Well, I’m not a big drummer fan. Q: You have an appreciation for American music. I don’t remember him one time saying, “Hey, Ringo, I think if you did this or play like that…” I don’t remember him doing it once, you know? Like he’d say (to the others): "Put an E in there,” or "make that F-sharp,” or whatever. He never sort of came over and said, “Do this,” or “Do that.” I did what I did, and that was good enough. Q: What was George Martin’s philosophy as a producer in terms of recording drums? What did he want to get out of you as a drummer?Ī: He really was more interested in what key is it in, the other musical parts of it. Q: If Keith Moon had played on “Love Me Do,” that wouldn’t have been a hit, would it? I mean, mine is like the complete opposite of the way he played, but the style made it work, and his style made The Who work. He had his style, and that style worked so incredibly amazingly for the band he was in. Were you a fan of his playing?Ī: No (laughs). I have really good time, and I’m not really a showoff, you know what I mean? I’ve never liked drums when they’re busy. And I was given the gift from God of great time. I never had these conscious thoughts of that. How did you know from the beginning that that was the way to play on those songs?Ī: I just got lucky. Q: There’s so much restraint in your playing on those Beatles records, and that’s a big reason why they have aged so well. He is still one of the biggest attractions out there. He has his own band he’s been doing for years, and it is Paul McCartney. Q: But Paul should invite you to sit in with him, shouldn’t he?Ī: Well, he doesn’t have to. Would you like to participate in it in some way, considering it’s a gathering of the biggest names of rock 'n roll?Ī: Well, I think they have the biggest names, don’t they? I think maybe if they do it again, they’ll sort of widen the scope. Q: I’m unhappy that you’re excluded from the Desert Trip concert. As a lad growing up, Zak, he loved The Who, so he was perfect for them. Kenney’s a good friend of mine, but I didn’t think it worked with him in the band, ‘cause he was the first one up after Keith (Moon) died, and all my children called Keith “Uncle Keith,” ‘cause Keith Moon was their uncle in many ways. I’m sure you have a relationship with Kenney. Roger (Daltrey) has come back, you know? And they have the best drummer – the best son of a drummer. It was only last Tuesday I went to see The Who and my son playing in L.A., and it’s great. Question: Is your son Zak going to be with The Who at that Desert Trip show, where the Stones, Bob Dylan, Neil Young…Īnswer: Yeah, yeah. Starr was upbeat during the phone conversation and generously gave consideration to the questions, no matter how nervously they may have been asked. Starkey is currently playing with The Who, so we asked Starr about Desert Trip, the classic-rock event of the year that includes performances by The Who and others, including Ringo’s fellow Beatle, Paul McCartney. Ringo Starr’s son, Zak Starkey, is a drummer, like his old man. Most people like talking about their kids. What do you ask the man who has been asked everything, a man who is also one of your musical heroes?Ī good place to start is his kid.
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