A persistent myth suggests that Ringo Starr wasn’t a great drummer, and this misconception has significant consequences. It not only undermines his talent but also perpetuates a misleading narrative about the art of drumming as a whole. This fallacy has influenced many aspiring drummers, who seem eager to avoid the infamous quote that Ringo himself misrepresented: “not even the best drummer in The Beatles.”
Ringo’s brilliance lay in his reliability as a drummer—a solid foundation that supported the band’s songs while injecting just enough flair to keep them groovy. As Paul McCartney recalled during Ringo’s audition, “The first few minutes that Ringo is playing, I look to the left at George and to the right to John, and we didn’t say a word, but I remember thinking, ‘S**t, this is amazing.’”
His simplicity was a significant strength, allowing the band to harmonize effortlessly. McCartney further commented, “Look, I love Led Zeppelin, but you watch them playing and you can see them looking back at John Bonham, like, ‘What the hell are you doing? This is the beat.’ You could turn your back on Ringo and never have to worry. He provided security, and you knew he was going to nail it.” Ringo consistently delivered by “playing with the song, with the singer.”
However, there was one instance where he needed to convey a specific mood that only the drums could evoke, and that track was “Rain.” Reflecting on The Beatles’ discography in an interview with Drummerworld, he stated, “I don’t wish I’d played differently on any of them, but ‘Rain’ I played differently. I was trying to be the rain.” This approach resulted in a more aggressive rhythm than the laid-back style for which he was typically known.
“I don’t do that sort of drumming,” he admitted, “but I did for ‘Rain’. You got what I could give you then.” This performance illustrates how The Beatles viewed music with sincerity—if they were exploring themes of stormy disillusionment, their music had to reflect that mood. Thus, it feels fitting that Ringo’s drumming not only captured a sense of rain but also pushed him outside of his comfort zone.
His uncharacteristic snare work contributed to the song’s dense, adrenalized atmosphere, and Ringo was proud of the result. “I think I just played amazing,” he told Barry Miles. “I was into the snare and the hi-hat. I think it was the first time I used this trick of starting a break by hitting the hi-hat first instead of going directly to a drum off the hi-hat.”
The outcome was a record that showcased the band’s evolving sound. The moodiness and psychological depth represented a significant departure from their earlier, more innocent days. Alongside Ringo’s innovative drumming, the track featured backmasked lyrics and a spirit of experimentation.
“Rain” has since become a timeless anthem, and Ringo’s drumming plays a crucial role in giving the song the splashing rhythm it truly deserves.
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