Ringo Talks About How The Beatles Didn't Get Along

AXS TV

10 May 202409:08

Summary

TLDRIn this reflective interview, the speaker reminisces about his time as a member of the Beatles and his subsequent solo career. He discusses the camaraderie and occasional disagreements within the band, emphasizing that their passion for music always took precedence. The speaker credits Paul McCartney for their extensive discography, as Paul's work ethic pushed the group to record more than they might have otherwise. He also highlights the importance of his fellow bandmates in keeping each other grounded, drawing a contrast with the isolation he perceived in Elvis Presley's life. The interviewee shares his disdain for practicing alone, preferring to learn with other musicians, and fondly recalls his early days playing in Liverpool. He speaks about the decision to join the Beatles, leaving behind a more popular band at the time, The Hurricanes, due to his admiration for John, Paul, and George. The speaker also reflects on his role in the Beatles, considering himself a band member rather than a solo artist, and his later formation of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, which came about unexpectedly but has been a rewarding experience for nearly 30 years.

Takeaways

🎶 The speaker reflects on the dynamic within the band, mentioning disagreements but emphasizing that they never interfered with their music.
👨‍👨‍👧‍👦 He highlights the importance of the collective effort and how personal lives and children influenced the band's work ethic over time.
💼 The speaker acknowledges Paul McCartney's work ethic, which led to the band recording more albums than they might have otherwise.
👂 He talks about how he learned to play not from practicing alone, but by playing with other musicians and bands in Liverpool.
🎲 The speaker discusses the risks involved in life and his decision to join the Beatles, leaving behind a successful band at the time.
🌟 He expresses admiration for his fellow band members, John, Paul, and George, and how he was drawn to their talent and camaraderie.
🎭 The speaker contrasts his experience in a band with that of a solo artist like Elvis Presley, appreciating the support of his bandmates.
🎼 He mentions that he never focused on individual drummers when listening to music, but rather on the overall performance.
🎖 The speaker describes his approach to performing, preferring to put the band forward rather than himself as a solo artist.
🥁 He talks about his identity as a drummer and being part of a band, including his own All Starr band, which he has been leading since 1989.
🚀 The formation of the All Starr band came about unexpectedly, initiated by a promoter's idea and a phone call, which the speaker agreed to.
🤝 The speaker shares his initial insecurity about leading a band, having always been part of existing bands rather than forming his own.

Q & A

What was the speaker's experience like being part of a band with four members?
-The speaker described the experience as having occasional disagreements or 'rows', but these never interfered with their music. They emphasized the importance of giving their best, even as personal lives and responsibilities grew.
Why does the speaker credit Paul for the band's productivity?
-The speaker credits Paul as the 'workaholic' of the band, stating that Paul's drive led to the creation of more records than would have been made otherwise.
How did the speaker feel about their career after leaving the factory in 1960?
-The speaker expressed satisfaction with their career, mentioning that they have played music, made good records, and have not lost their sense of purpose or 'moorings'.
What did the speaker think about Elvis when they met him?
-The speaker felt that Elvis was 'sad' because, despite being surrounded by people, he was essentially alone, unlike the speaker who had three great mates in the band.
How did the speaker describe their learning process as a musician?
-The speaker disliked practicing alone and instead learned by playing with other musicians and bands. They emphasized learning from everyone around them, particularly in Liverpool.
What was the speaker's reaction when asked to join the Beatles?
-The speaker was excited and had no hesitation in joining the Beatles, despite the fact that the Hurricanes, their previous band, were more popular at the time.
Why did the speaker decide to leave the Hurricanes for the Beatles?
-The speaker admired the Beatles' front line and enjoyed their music and playing style. They felt a strong connection with John, Paul, and George, which influenced their decision.
How did the speaker feel about being the drummer in a band?
-The speaker identified as a 'band guy' who loves to be part of a group, rather than seeking the spotlight as a solo drummer.
What was the inspiration behind forming Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band?
-The idea came from a promoter's suggestion to Pepsi, which led to a call to the speaker's lawyer. The speaker agreed and formed the band, which has been active for nearly 30 years.
How did the speaker feel about putting together the All-Starr Band?
-The speaker felt insecure about the process, as it was the first time they had put a band together themselves, instead of joining existing bands.
What was a memorable moment from the speaker's early musical experiences?
-A memorable moment was playing with his best friend Roy and Eddie Miles, a great guitarist, in the basement during lunchtime for men working in the factory.
How did the speaker's early influences shape their approach to being a drummer?
-The speaker was more focused on the overall music and performance rather than just the drumming parts, learning from the whole experience and other musicians rather than specific drummers.

Outlines

00:00

🎶 The Beatles' Dynamics and Personal Growth 🎶

The speaker reflects on the interpersonal dynamics within the Beatles, highlighting the occasional disagreements but emphasizing that their dedication to music always took precedence. He acknowledges the influence of Paul McCartney's work ethic on the band's productivity. The speaker also discusses the impact of personal lives, including starting families, on the band's efforts. He credits the strong bond among the four band members from Liverpool for their mutual support and humility, contrasting their camaraderie with the loneliness of other top artists like Elvis. The speaker shares his initial dislike for practicing and how he learned by playing with other musicians. He also talks about the risks he took in joining the Beatles, leaving a successful band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, for what he saw as a step up in talent and camaraderie.

05:00

🥁 Drummers, Bands, and Ringo's Solo Career 🥁

The paragraph delves into the speaker's admiration for other musicians and how he was influenced by various artists and bands, without focusing specifically on drummers. He recalls a memorable experience listening to Al Green and the impact it had on him. The speaker then transitions into his solo career, expressing his love for being part of a band and his approach to putting the band before himself during performances. He clarifies his role as a drummer and band member, highlighting his identity with the Beatles and his subsequent solo project, 'Ringo and His All-Starr Band.' The narrative includes the story behind the formation of his solo band, the initial insecurity he felt, and the talented musicians he collaborated with, including some of his heroes.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Beatles

The Beatles were an iconic British rock band that played a significant role in the development of popular music. In the script, the speaker reminisces about his experiences as a member of the band, highlighting the camaraderie and creative process that contributed to their success. The Beatles are central to the video's theme of music, collaboration, and personal growth within a band setting.

💡Musicianship

Musicianship refers to the skills, knowledge, and ability required to play a musical instrument or to create music. The speaker discusses the importance of musicianship in his learning process, emphasizing that he learned by playing with other musicians rather than through formal practice. This concept is integral to the video's narrative, as it underscores the value of collaborative learning in the world of music.

💡Workaholic

A workaholic is someone who is obsessively engaged in work to the exclusion of much else in life. In the context of the script, Paul McCartney is referred to as the 'workaholic' of the band, implying his high level of dedication and work ethic. This term relates to the video's theme by illustrating the different approaches to work and creativity within the band and how these contributed to their prolific output.

💡Liverpool

Liverpool is a city in England that has a rich musical history and was the birthplace of The Beatles. The speaker mentions Liverpool when discussing the early days of playing music and the community of musicians he was a part of. The city serves as a geographical and cultural backdrop to the video's narrative, highlighting the importance of place in shaping musical identity and collaboration.

💡Rory Storm and the Hurricanes

Rory Storm and the Hurricanes were a popular band in Liverpool before the rise of The Beatles. The speaker talks about his time with this band and the decision to leave for The Beatles, which was a significant risk and a pivotal moment in his career. This keyword is important to the video's theme as it represents a key decision point and a transition in the speaker's musical journey.

💡Risk-taking

Risk-taking refers to the willingness to take chances or risks, especially in the pursuit of a goal. The speaker reflects on the risks he took in his career, such as leaving a successful band to join The Beatles. This concept is central to the video's message about the importance of taking risks for personal and professional growth, even when it involves uncertainty and change.

💡Practice

Practice is the act of performing an activity repeatedly to improve skill or proficiency. The speaker expresses his dislike for practicing alone and instead emphasizes learning through playing with other musicians. This keyword is relevant to the video's theme as it contrasts different approaches to mastering a craft and the importance of community in the learning process.

💡Solo Career

A solo career refers to the professional endeavors of an individual who has previously been part of a group or band. The speaker mentions his solo career and how he continues to tour and perform with his own band. This keyword is significant to the video's narrative as it showcases the speaker's continued passion for music and performance beyond his time with The Beatles.

💡Band Dynamics

Band dynamics refer to the interpersonal relationships and interactions within a musical group. The speaker discusses the importance of mutual respect and support among band members, which kept them grounded and focused on their music despite personal conflicts. This concept is key to the video's theme, as it explores the balance between personal relationships and professional collaboration in a band setting.

💡Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr is the stage name of Richard Starkey, an English musician, singer, and actor who was the drummer for The Beatles. In the script, the speaker, who is Ringo Starr, reflects on his experiences and the evolution of his role within the band and his subsequent solo career. This keyword is central to the video's narrative as it provides a first-person perspective on life within one of the most famous bands in history.

💡Ringo's All Starr Band

Ringo's All Starr Band is a touring supergroup founded by Ringo Starr, which features a rotating lineup of well-known musicians. The speaker talks about the formation of this band and his experience of being part of a large group with multiple drummers. This keyword is important to the video's theme as it represents a new chapter in the speaker's career, highlighting his ongoing contributions to the music industry and his ability to collaborate with a variety of artists.

Highlights

The speaker discusses the dynamics within a band, emphasizing that personal conflicts did not interfere with their music.

Acknowledgment of the natural progression of life and commitment, where the effort put into the music began to feel less fulfilling.

Credit is given to Paul for his work ethic, which led to the band making more records than they might have otherwise.

The speaker reflects on the importance of having a support system within the band, highlighting the camaraderie among the members.

A poignant observation is made about the loneliness of fame, contrasting the speaker's experience with that of Elvis Presley.

The speaker shares his passion for music and the joy of making good records, despite the challenges.

The importance of practice and the speaker's dislike for it, preferring to learn with other musicians.

A story about the speaker's start in music, playing with friends during lunch breaks in a factory basement.

The speaker talks about taking risks in life and career, including the decision to join the Beatles over staying with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes.

The admiration for the Beatles' front line and the speaker's decision to join the group despite the risks.

The speaker's experience of being part of a band and the joy it brings, emphasizing the love for being in a band.

The formation of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band and the initial insecurity the speaker felt in putting the band together.

The speaker's humility and self-deprecation when discussing his role in the All-Starr Band.

The story of an early attempt to form a band and the humorous outcome of it falling apart quickly.

The speaker's philosophy on life and the importance of enjoying it, despite the ups and downs.