Ringo Starr marks 80th birthday at online gig with Beatles hits, celebrity tributes

I have seen live Ringo Starr, Phil Collins and Neil Peart - three of the greatest drummers ever. I hope I look and feel this good when I'm 80.

Happy Birthday Sir Richard Starkey, you will always be FAB.

Ringo Starr with not a hint of grey!

Unbelievable...

Among the very best of the great rock drummers.

As another child of Irish immigrants to England sang,

What's so funny 'bout Peace, Love and Understanding?

Happy Birthday, Ringo!

I seriously thought he was RIP, so shocked to see him out and about. Must admit though pretty good to have an old classic still around.

@starpunk

I have seen live Ringo Starr, Phil Collins and Neil Peart - three of the greatest drummers ever.

Please check also Yoyoka on youtube. Seriously.

Never seen the boy from Dingle, one of the most feared places in Liverpool.

Yes, a working class lad from a tough area who also suffered from serious illness when he was a kid.

Top lad.

Vinke I disagree. What about Stewart Copeland? He's way better than Neal Pert, and those other 2 for that matter. Their music is better too. Phil Collins? Pop music crap.

@doggar

Vinke I disagree. What about Stewart Copeland? He's way better than Neal Pert, and those other 2 for that matter. Their music is better too. Phil Collins? Pop music crap.

Errr.... I have no idea where this aggression is coming from. I was simply suggesting startpunk check's also Yoyoka the drummer on youtube. She genuinely is amazing, and super talented, despite her age.

No other comment on any other drummers. I prefer jazz anyways.

Phil Collins? Pop music crap.

Even if you don’t like the music, you can respect the musician. I’m not a fan of jazz, I actually can’t stand it, but I know a good musician when I hear one even if the music isn’t my thing.

Not a fan of Genesis or Phil Collins solo, but he is clearly a good drummer.

Vinke another downvote for you.

Surely you didn’t downvote a post recognizing Ringo for overcoming a serous childhood health problem, growing up in a blue collar family in a rough neighborhood, and becoming a superstar?

Surely not.

I have seen live Ringo Starr, Phil Collins and Neil Peart - three of the greatest drummers ever. I hope I look and feel this good when I'm 80. 

I don’t know about that. I know music is to a part subjective, but on the other hand when it comes to raw musical talent, it does depend. Peart for A progressive rock drummer, definitely yes. Phil Collins not bad for the pop realm, but Starr....For what he did, he was a decent drummer, but that’s it. The man was nowhere near greats like Buddy Rich or Billy Cobham or Vinnie Colaiuta, but he is definitely respected as a musician.

But I definitely agree happy birthday Ringo, may you live a very long time.

I just checked out Yoyoka. I see. Sorry, not impressed. These”prodigies” appear now and then and dissapear never to be heard from again. Same as a young Japanese boy a few years back tearing up the fretboard on guitar. And now nowhere. Its like a phenomenally good typist - doesnt mean they can write a good book.

A progressive rock drummer, definitely yes. Phil Collins not bad for the pop realm

Phil Collins was a drummer for a progressive rock group - Genesis. That’s the drumming he was first recognized for. He later went ‘pop’.

Ringo was no technician - Beatles producer George Martin said Ringo couldnt do a roll to save himself. But for musicality, feel, uniqueness and playing the RIGHT part he is among the greats. Plenty if great drummers from all idioms have said the same.

These silly debates about who is best... Music is an art form, not a technical skill that can be measured. Plenty of the greatest artists suck technically - Neal Young and Joe Walsh come to mind. They would be horrible studio musicians. But the world has a surplus of excellent studio musicians who can play anything under the sun competently. Great artists are another thing altogether. They tap into something in a way nobody else does. Clearly Ringo has his groove, and he was perfect for the Beatles, none of whom were great technicians (Paul being the closest). But they created art that still moves people 60 years later.

Commanteer, Big Yen,

Agreed!

Music is an art form, not a technical skill that can be measured.

It’s a bit of both. You do need a certain degree of technical skill and timing which can be measured. Neil Young and Joe Walsh do have technical skill. Not the best, but they do have it. Some musicians are revered for their technical skill.

John Bonham is revered by many rock drummers. The famous ‘Moby Dick’ extended drum solos had plenty of creativity, speed, power and technical skill. My drummer mate thinks Ginger Baker was the most skilled of all rock (?) drummers in terms of technique and is respected for it.

Just as an aside, Id have to say that actually Joe Walsh is a very highly skilled guitarist. If hed wanted to go the studio musician route he could have.

respect to all and happy birthday Ringo.

Although I suspect he is not a JT subscriber,

just like to throw another name into the great dummers list.

Danny Seraphine,

gary

Phil Collins was a drummer for a progressive rock group - Genesis.

And later became a pop icon, not to mention his drumming is all pop-oriented and while a progressive drummer with Genesis, he completely changed his style around 1980. Pop sells.

It’s a bit of both. You do need a certain degree of technical skill and timing which can be measured. Neil Young and Joe Walsh do have technical skill. Not the best, but they do have it. Some musicians are revered for their technical skill. 

Neil Young? Well, some are definitely revered for their technical skills, but drumming itself is MOSTLY technical where you definitely need a clear understanding of timing. If you’re good at math and calculations you can be a very good drummer and if you have a strong musical sense of knowledge you will be rhythmically and technically a very good drummer.

John Bonham is revered by many rock drummers. The famous ‘Moby Dick’ extended drum solos had plenty of creativity, speed, power and technical skill. My drummer mate thinks Ginger Baker was the most skilled of all rock (?) drummers in terms of technique and is respected for it.

Again, for what they do in that genre, they were very good, but all around musicians when it comes to the world of drumming probably not, now if you can play all musical genre with ease you are a formidable musician.

what makes Phil collins a good drummer? are you in a band? I played drums in my high school days in a band so I would say i know about drummers.

Again, for what they do in that genre, they were very good, but all around musicians when it comes to the world of drumming probably not

Definitely yes. Are you sure you know who Ginger Baker was? The reason why I put a question mark after ‘rock’ when talking about Ginger Baker is because it’s hard to classify him as a drummer in one genre. He was most famous as a rock and blues drummer but played jazz and various musical styles from around the world. He was known as a real all-rounder. Neil Peart revered him.

You do need a certain degree of technical skill and timing which can be measured.

I'm not dissing technical skill. But it's not the most important part of the equation. An artist needs to have something to say. Better technical skill generally means they will better able to express themselves, so it's good that way. But it's the "voice" that matters.

Toto is a good example (I'm probably going to piss Toto fans off). All brilliant musicians, but left to their own devices they produce the most boring hit songs ever written (granted, they were hit songs). When the same musicians work with artists who have something unique to express, their talents are much better utilized.

Definitely yes. Are you sure you know who Ginger Baker was?

Rhetorical question?

The reason why I put a question mark after ‘rock’ when talking about Ginger Baker is because it’s hard to classify him as a drummer in one genre. He was most famous as a rock and blues drummer but played jazz and various musical styles from around the world. He was known as a real all-rounder. Neil Peart revered him.

And again, music is subjective, Peart’s biggest mentor was Buddy Rich, now when you want to talk about awesomeness talent and beast in a full package, there you go.

Toto is a good example (I'm probably going to piss Toto fans off). All brilliant musicians, but left to their own devices they produce the most boring hit songs ever written (granted, they were hit songs). When the same musicians work with artists who have something unique to express, their talents are much better utilized

I’m kinda speechless. Pocaro boring???

I'm not dissing technical skill. But it's not the most important part of the equation. An artist needs to have something to say. Better technical skill generally means they will better able to express themselves, so it's good that way. But it's the "voice" that matters.

I’d agree with that. I was just saying you need a level of technical skill to create the art in the first place. Musicians often find it cool to say they are not technically gifted.

I’d also say when you put technical skill together with great songwriting and a distinctive sound, you can get something absolutely extraordinary.

Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions is one example.

As much as I liked the Beatles and as much as I have played their music, Harrison by far was THE most underrated Beatle, quiet, but was a deep writer. Lennon lost me with his liberal hallucinogenic off the wall music at times. McCartney wrote a lot of hits, but he also wrote a lot of ear cringing romantic kiddie pop that could at times get on your last nerve. Starr could write, singing on the other hand is a different story. I think he was a much better and more respected drummer when he went solo and played with various bands.

I think it's hard to compare drummers. While I can't imagine Ringo playing drums with Cream, It would be just as hard to imagine Ginger Baker playing with the Beatles.

Ringo's son is also a drummer (Zak Starkey). It was apparently Keith Moon who bought him his first set of drums. I've seen him playing with the Who (on video), and he was good.

Ringo always comes over as a likeable guy (please don't spoil that image). Hearing him narrate Thomas The Tank Engine made me smile.

I think it's hard to compare drummers. While I can't imagine Ringo playing drums with Cream, It would be just as hard to imagine Ginger Baker playing with the Beatles.

Good point.

Ringo's son is also a drummer (Zak Starkey). It was apparently Keith Moon who bought him his first set of drums. I've seen him playing with the Who (on video), and he was good.

Ringo always comes over as a likeable guy (please don't spoil that image). Hearing him narrate Thomas The Tank Engine made me smile.

I met Ringo backstage when he played here in Fukuoka 2 years ago and the guy does have a great sense of humor and a real gentleman and looks absolutely fantastic at 80 running around on stage, most men would wish to be that skinny as the years roll on.

I guess Ringo represents the new 80.

VinkeToday  02:48 pm JST

@starpunk

I have seen live Ringo Starr, Phil Collins and Neil Peart - three of the greatest drummers ever.

Please check also Yoyoka on youtube. Seriously.

Just did. Pretty impressive for a 9-year-old. I just recently saw an Aussie boy about that age who played killer AC/DC, Hendrix, Metallica, LZ on his guitar.

Both of these kids are stunning, and it certanly proves to show that rock'n'roll is anything but dead. Whether those two and other prodegies will be going on to become original inspiring musicians of their own merit is yet to be seen, but one can hope.

Wow, baby. Wow.

Had the good fortune to see Ringo on one of his Ringo All Starr Band tours--Rick Derringer and Edgar Winter were there as well.

Good times. I remember Ringo asking the audience to sing along on Yellow Submarine with the advice that I am sure you all know the words, and if you don't , what are you doing here? Very genial fellow.

MickeliciousJuly 8  02:10 pm JST

As another child of Irish immigrants to England sang,

What's so funny 'bout Peace, Love and Understanding?

I saw the star who wrote (but never recorded) that song last year - Nick Lowe. He's 71 years old and like Ringo, he's still rocking and looking good for his age.

They say age ain't nuttin' but a number....

Btw, Joe Walsh is Ringo’s brother-in-law. Theyre also great friends.

Bernard Rich. GOAT.