General opinion of Ringo as an artist? - Ringo Starr Discussion

He was one of the Beatles, ergo he is a very good artist.

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I like the song "Don't Come Easy"

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I never cared for solo Paul and don't have anything by him.
It was always just George and John up until a few years ago when I heard a new solo song by Ringo that inspired me to get the CD.
So he is the last solo Beatle I like to get his stuff.

I do like his spreading the message of peace and love which is groovy.

I think he is a better singer/songwriter then as a drummer where it is pretty much just keeping the beat and not much else.

Though I have noticed he tends to do a lot of songs about the past Beatle glory days and the other three.
Like this one which is the song that turned me on to him.

https://youtu.be/dERnQfnAsAc

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[–] OnanTheBarbarian (10463) 2 months ago

Well I hate Paul McCartney's cheesy pop songs which he did as a solo artist. But as half of the Lennon/McCartney team, I realize he provided the massive top 40 sound which added to Lennon's genius.

So The Beatles were Lennon & McCartney basically. Harrison did the Hare Krishna stuff later, some of which is great. I'm just not too familiar with Ringo's solo stuff but I always thought he was just a drummer without much more to offer.

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[–] TrentnQuarantino (8566) 2 months ago

I heard a theory about why the Beatles broke up that did not involve money or Yoko.

The theory was that over time McCartney was writing more songs than John and getting them on the albums. I think it holds water. John was jealous.

I think it is a bad thing to get involved with the Beatles pesonalities because it's all fake or incomplete information from teeny bopper magazines and promotions/advertising. The Beatles were the first mass produced group.

I love the old music, but it was a negative thing and that is what music has turned into for the most part - a bunch of garbage with negative messages and ugly lyrics just for money.

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[–] Martoto (4255) 2 months ago

After their manager Brian Epstein died, they Beatles lost a sort of figurehead that they had been happy to be united in trying and please. Since they had enjoyed great success thanks to Epstein's management. In the period immediately afterwards, McCartney sort of assumed that role of motivating the band. And it worked to keep the band right at the top, but their friendships gradually became strained as a result of it. The others came to resent Paul's dominance. Paul just became more overbearing in trying to keep the band together and successful. Harrison felt they had all earned the right to do as they please. And Lennon was out of his mind a lot. So their creativity and output became more and more splintered. Also the others were happy to trust their legacy and future with Allan Klein which is as good an indication of how little they really cared compared with Paul at that time. Probably wouldn't have been too great an issue if Paul hadn't cared as much. But that kind of imbalance in a group is unsustainable. The Beatles went quite quickly from being a mega successful tight knit group, to each of them become legitimately mega successful solo stars in the making. You just can't be both, unfortunately. Won't work.

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[–] TrentnQuarantino (8566) 2 months ago

John admitted at some point that he was often lazy and unmotivated, and credited Paul with getting the band together for work.

Klein was a disaster, and Paul was right about him, except that Paul wanted their manager to be someone related to Linda.

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[–] mtxmind (3028) 2 months ago

Paul wanted their manager to be someone related to Linda.

Correct. Linda's father (Lee Eastman)

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[–] TrentnQuarantino (8566) 2 months ago

Who at least knew business, and in retrospect would have been a much better manager, i.e. not a crook, than Allan Klein.

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[–] OnanTheBarbarian (10463) 2 months ago

However, if you look at their solo careers, sure, yeah, McCartney wrote "silly love songs" which littered the top 40. But there was more depth to Lennon's work.

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[–] WarrenPeace (2267) 2 months ago

Which is why Lennon is my first favorite solo followed by George than Ringo.

Because he was not afraid to be raw and put it all out there like that such as his first solo studio album.
I dunno if you have ever heard it but none of the songs were top 40 material and I don't think he gave a shit that they weren't.
You can hear in it how he is relieved to be away from The Beatles doing his own thing.

I think Ringo did play drums for him as he did for others on their solo projects.

John and Paul were still friends and even hung out together.
Do you think if John had lived all four would have gotten together for one more album or tour?

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[–] OnanTheBarbarian (10463) 2 months ago

Yes, they would have gotten back together as four old codgers to milk it for money. Thank god that never can happen.🤣

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[–] TrentnQuarantino (8566) 2 months ago

> first solo studio album. I dunno if you have ever heard it but none of the songs were top 40 material

Uh ... Imagine, 1971.

Maybe you mean John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band ... Dec 1970,
still had some pretty big hits on it

God ( is a concept by which we measure our pain )
Working Class Hero

I heard those songs all the time on FM radio, and even some AM. It's not like it was ignored. John always had this cache about him because he was so liked in America that anything he did was accepted with curiosity.

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[–] WarrenPeace (2267) 2 months ago

John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band came out the year before in 1970.

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[–] TrentnQuarantino (8566) 2 months ago

Maybe you mean John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band ... Dec 1970,
still had some pretty big hits on it

God ( is a concept by which we measure our pain )
Working Class Hero

I heard those songs all the time on FM radio, and even some AM. It's not like it was ignored. John always had this cache about him because he was so liked in America that anything he did was accepted with curiosity. But Lennon as working class??? LOL

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[–] WarrenPeace (2267) 2 months ago

I dunno why you are repeating yourself.

Liverpool was or still is a working class city.
I don't see anything wrong with someone being rich and famous empathising or giving credit/acknowledgement to those who rightly deserve it.

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[–] TrentnQuarantino (8566) 2 months ago

I was a big fan of Lennon's in the early 70's, but the guy was a psychological mess. I still don't think we've heard the whole of it. All the liberal talk and then it turns out he was a Republican Reagan supporter. Great musician and lyricist but I think he ran out of gas and things to say. His last album that everyone makes such a big deal about was totally unimpressive, and then when he died that fact that he left no provision for Julian in his will really soured me on Lennon, but also on most artists. It's probably better not to know to much about your heroes.

True, that most of McCartney's stuff was not delving deeping into the human psyche, but he was most prolific and could write pop songs too much for him or the Beatles and gave songs to other groups and artists.

During a lot of that time I disliked McCartney for being superficial, but the music business is superficial and all about lying and copying and basically making money any way possible. Now I think old age has thrown a new light on McCartney who is incredibly easy going and talented. He is just so likeable and cool, it's hard to dislike him.

This thread is about Ringo, who I think is the most fake of the Beatles. I don't dislike any of them, but Ringo with his peace and love message just seems kind of fake to me. Still, if you're going to be fake, Ringo does it with aplomb.

Poor George being attacked and nearly killed in his own home by a lunatic. Gotta wonder what it is about crazy peolpe that they want to do lunatic stuff like that?

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[–] WarrenPeace (2267) 2 months ago

Your an odd duck.
You can't seem to make up your mind to hate or love the lads from Liverpool.

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[–] TrentnQuarantino (8566) 2 months ago

You're an asshole.
You don't really need to make personal judgements that you know nothing about or that no one cares about.

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[–] WarrenPeace (2267) 2 months ago

Dude, I'm just going by what you share on here and you are all over the map.

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[–] TrentnQuarantino (8566) 2 months ago

All over the map, confusing to YOU .... OK.
Odd duck .... an asshole personal comment.

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[–] WarrenPeace (2267) 2 months ago

Whatever.

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[–] OnanTheBarbarian (10463) 2 months ago

You and I tend to agree on Lennon and McCartney. I like Lennon's solo work a lot. I mean c'mon, his song "Imagine" is perhaps the theme song for the 20th century.

While yes, McCartney was superficial and unabashedly made "silly love songs".

However, the combo of the two, depth and silly pop, makes you see why Lennon & McCartney were such a brilliant songwriting team for the Beatles.

But wait though, John Lennon supported Reagan? I never heard that. It seems antithetical to his and Yoko's politics. Do you have a link?

Haha. Odd point about Ringo being fake. True, he would never have been known without The Beatles. It's like he got a lucky ride.

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[–] TrentnQuarantino (8566) 2 months ago

Just search for Lennon and Reagan maybe. These revelations started coming out many years ago. I think he basically had a Right-wing side to him that was pretty strong in some areas.

I can understand that. I am mostly Liberal/Progressive, but the "Left's" support of the Palestinians is hyperbolically ignorant and hateful. Also the absurd stuff that comes out of the far Left is as stupid as the Trumpers - but not as dangerous or violent, yet.

Here is some stuff about Lennon-Reagan:
https://thebeatlesnews.livejournal.com/46171.html

In a new documentary, it is revealed by John Lennon's last personal assistant that the late Beatle wasn't quite as radical as his fans think. The Toronto Sun reports that Fred Seaman, Lennon's assistant from 1979 until the time of his death in 1980, heard the singer speak fondly of then-president Ronald Reagan.

"John, basically, made it very clear that if he were an American he would vote for Reagan because he was really sour on Jimmy Carter," Seaman told director and songwriter Seth Swirsky in his new documentary 'Beatles Stories.'

"He'd met Reagan back, I think, in the '70s at some sporting event ... Reagan was the guy who had ordered the National Guard, I believe, to go after the young demonstrators in Berkeley, so I think that John maybe forgot about that ... He did express support for Reagan, which shocked me."

...

In a lot of ways Lennon was a real jerk.

As far as Ringo, I think Ringo is so cool and peace and love because he is basically the Ed McMahon of the Beatles ... or the Hank Kingsley if you ever watch The Larry Sanders Show.

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[–] WarrenPeace (2267) 2 months ago

"I'm just not too familiar with Ringo's solo stuff but I always thought he was just a drummer without much more to offer."

Well buddy you can now get really familiar thanx to the internet.

Did you check out the video link I shared?

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[–] OnanTheBarbarian (10463) 2 months ago

Honestly Warren, I did, and I didn't like it for the reason I originally explained. I like that "Devil Woman" song because Ringo has a very flat no-nuance masculine voice. It's very straight forward, little emotion and no trilling. I think he put too much emotion into the song you linked. I prefer him when he's monotone.

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[–] WarrenPeace (2267) 2 months ago

That's cool.
To each our own with what we like and don't like.

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[–] OnanTheBarbarian (10463) 2 months ago

👍

What do you think if this John Lennon solo?:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MqKXjclNHw

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[–] WarrenPeace (2267) 2 months ago

Well, I already shared my thoughts before.
Not on that track but for the whole album which I have and I love every song on it.
Since I think it fits with asking what I think of that song I'll share them again:

...Lennon is my first favorite solo followed by George than Ringo.

Because he was not afraid to be raw and put it all out there like that such as his first solo studio album.
I dunno if you have ever heard it but none of the songs were top 40 material and I don't think he gave a shit that they weren't.
You can hear in it how he is relieved to be away from The Beatles doing his own thing.

At first he and Yoko did a lot of experimental things with sounds in the studio.
Stuff that, as far as I understand, would or did not get any radio airplay.
Such as their Two Virgins effort which featured them both in full frontal nudity on the cover.
They or he didn't care.
He was just doing it for the artistry and expression which I can appreciate even though it may be unlistenable to me.
Check out Revolution #9 on their White Album aka The Beatles to get an early glimpse for this.

What do you think of that song or his early ones?

BTW: Nice to see and chat with you over here as well.

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[–] OnanTheBarbarian (10463) 2 months ago

I love the White Album. Though my favorite Beatles album is "Magical Mystery Tour". "Revolution #9"? I'm honestly not a big fan. Too unstructured.

Early Beatles music is great popular rock. But I can't ever see myself getting high and rocking to "A Hard Days Night". Lol.

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[–] TrentnQuarantino (8566) 2 months ago

That early stuff from Lennon I had all the albums and was a real fan. I was just barely a teenager at the time. Later I realize that was a really depressing time in my life and when I listen back on it there's a lot of good songs, but so in Lennon's head, and it's pretty sad.

"Mother" – 5:34
"Hold On" – 1:52
"I Found Out" – 3:37
"Working Class Hero" – 3:48

"Isolation" – 2:51
[Bridge]
I don't expect you to understand
After you've caused so much pain
But then again, you're not to blame
You're just a human, a victim of the insane

"Remember" – 4:33
"Love" – 3:21
"Well Well Well" – 5:59
"Look at Me" – 2:53
"God" – 4:09
[Verse 1]
God is a concept by which we measure our pain
I'll say it again
God is a concept by which we measure our pain, yeah
Pain, yeah

"My Mummy's Dead" – 0:49

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[–] TrentnQuarantino (8566) 2 months ago

Did Ringo actually write that song? I think some stuff Ringo was given or had help with and was mostly a performer. Ringo was cool, for some reason when I just heard the Meet The Beatles album with it came out Ringo was my favorite Beatle. Then in the early 70's it was John because of his psycho-music and exploration of political issues. George was never my favorite, but I felt so bad for him being almost killed by a lunatic.

I almost hate to say it, but I like Paul a lot because he is a survivor and his amazing people skills combined with music and lyrics is colossal. I think Paul is so emotionally stable because he has always had a huge family to support him and he was well socialized as a kid.

I always say that Paul had the perfect life for a human being. Not being involved in any horrible ugly stuff, being loved and secure and so amazingly talented, and then to be able to bring so much joy to so many people, while making so much money. He didn't have to kill anyone, or steal or stab anyone in the back. I had a crappy family life as a kid, and I envy and admire that about Paul - not that it was anything he did purposefully.

I feel more affinity with John and really related to his 70's stuff, but Paul's positivity and ability to make everyone love him knocks me over. I used to want to hate Paul and belittle his music, but man he was really good.

The 1970 McCartney album was really great. I really like the energy in his instrumentals, see Momma Miss America below. Such a simple powerful rhythm with a great tune. When I listen to some of his stuff I am humming it or it is going around in my head for days.

"The Lovely Linda" – 0:43
"That Would Be Something" – 2:38
"Valentine Day" – 1:39
"Every Night" – 2:31
"Hot as Sun/Glasses" – 2:07
"Junk" – 1:54
"Man We Was Lonely" – 2:56
Side two

"Oo You" – 2:48
"Momma Miss America" – 4:04
** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fdI_CNcT70
"Teddy Boy" – 2:22
"Singalong Junk" – 2:34
"Maybe I'm Amazed" – 3:53
"Kreen-Akrore" – 4:15

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[–] david80848688 (220) 2 months ago

He's a good rock drummer and singer. In the Beatles Get Back mini-series he comes of as a great guy.

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[–] RoloTony (1166) 2 months ago

"Ringo isn't even the best drummer in The Beatles..." - Paul Bunyan

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[–] skipper (308) 2 months ago

Paul McCartney never said that. John Lennon (who that quote is usually attributed to) never did, either.

It was first said on a BBC radio show, Radio Active, in October 1981. Comedian Jasper Carrott said it later in the Eighties. John died in December 1980.

In January 1969 Paul sent Ringo a postcard that read, “You are the greatest drummer in the world. Really.”

Edited to add last names to Paul and John since I see that you changed “Paul McCartney” to “Paul Bunyan”.

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[–] AndyKing1967 (34105) 2 months ago

I have all his albums and I think he’s underrated.

If you look at all the guest musicians that have played on his albums, it reads like Rock royalty.

You don’t get that kind of respect from your peers if you’re not talented - plus he’s a really nice guy.

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[–] TandyMan (10395) 2 months ago

Sold rock track. Ringo is my fav Beatle. Because I hate the Beatles. He's a fascinating dude who's dabbled in all kinds of things, he made one of my favorite movies in Caveman, he's always an interesting interview, his music is fairly jamming, he's a loud dresser and has endless hilarious quotes. Never seemed to take his role in the greatest band in the world too seriously.

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[–] OnanTheBarbarian (10463) 2 months ago

Caveman movies are always entertaining.

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[–] Kowalski (59227) 2 months ago

THE BEATLE'S WEAKEST LINK IS STILL A MEMBER OF THE BEATLES...SO ...RINGO IS EXCEPTIONAL....LOVE ALL FOUR BEATLES.

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[–] OnanTheBarbarian (10463) 2 months ago

Well I hate Paul McCartney, though I acknowledge he was great as part of The Beatles, his solo stuff sucks.

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[–] Kowalski (59227) 2 months ago

I AM NOT A HUGE SOLO PAUL FAN EITHER...SO..I GET THAT.

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[–] OnanTheBarbarian (10463) 2 months ago

I blame Linda.

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[–] WarrenPeace (2267) 2 months ago

Others blame Yoko.
You blame Linda.
(For different reasons but yeah, it's always the wimmin's fault!)

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[–] WarrenPeace (2267) 2 months ago

This is my favorite solo song by Paul.

I find it to be a beautiful song with the bagpipes being a nice touch.

https://youtu.be/Plhtk_XJqhM

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