DM's Beatles forums

Solo forums => Fifth Beatles and the Merseybeat Scene => Topic started by: GreenApple on December 17, 2005, 02:05:26 PM

Title: Ringo Versus Pete Best
Post by: GreenApple on December 17, 2005, 02:05:26 PM
I don't know Best's drumming well, but it seems to me that he played more drum rolls than Ringo, and played louder than him. Am I right? I only know Pete's drumming from Anthology.

Please let me know whether you think Ringo's or Pete's drumming is best. I'm interested to hear your views!  :)
Title: Re: Ringo Versus Pete Best
Post by: Bobber on December 17, 2005, 03:42:46 PM
There's only a couple of songs where their drumming can be compared. One of them is Love Me Do. I don't hear very much differences...
Title: Re: Ringo Versus Pete Best
Post by: The End on December 17, 2005, 05:16:16 PM
Quote from: Bobber
There's only a couple of songs where their drumming can be compared. One of them is Love Me Do. I don't hear very much differences...

The timing on Pete's Love Me Do is all over the place but that may be because they were still working through the track and were undecided on the tempo and feel.

To my ears, Pete's drumming seems weaker and there are way too many fills. You can also compare Money and Besame Mucho.
Title: Re: Ringo Versus Pete Best
Post by: GreenApple on December 17, 2005, 09:52:04 PM
I remember hearing something that Sir Martin thought Best played too loud.
Title: Re: Ringo Versus Pete Best
Post by: pc31 on December 18, 2005, 01:26:30 AM
yeah he was louder than ringo but ringo knows many styles...he can play to anything kazoos included....
Title: Re: Ringo Versus Pete Best
Post by: raxo on December 31, 2005, 03:14:32 PM
Not necessarily my opinion, but another one:
http://www.beatlesagain.com/breflib/petekozn.html
Title: Re: Ringo Versus Pete Best
Post by: slick rick on January 01, 2006, 05:37:09 AM
that guy had his head up his ass too.....
Title: Re: Ringo Versus Pete Best
Post by: GreenApple on January 01, 2006, 08:16:56 PM
Why do people moan about drummers? In most bands the drummer is just the guy in the background who has to be there. If he sings and writes a few songs, that's just an extra. Unless it's the guy in The Eagles who was more to the fore of things.
Title: Re: Ringo Versus Pete Best
Post by: Wordno on January 04, 2006, 09:43:54 PM
Quote from: GreenApple
Why do people moan about drummers? In most bands the drummer is just the guy in the background who has to be there. If he sings and writes a few songs, that's just an extra. Unless it's the guy in The Eagles who was more to the fore of things.

But isn't this your topic? lol
Title: Re: Ringo Versus Pete Best
Post by: raxo on January 04, 2006, 09:49:29 PM
Quote from: Wordno

But isn't this your topic? lol

He's changed his mind ... he's wiser! LOL!
Title: Re: Ringo Versus Pete Best
Post by: tkitna on January 05, 2006, 01:39:05 AM
Quote from: GreenApple
Why do people moan about drummers? In most bands the drummer is just the guy in the background who has to be there. If he sings and writes a few songs, that's just an extra. Unless it's the guy in The Eagles who was more to the fore of things.


(http://ktmtalk.com/html/emoticons/wallbash_2.gif)

Tell bands like Zeppelin, Rush, The Who, The Doors, Genesis, etc,,, that drummers are just for the background and that any drummer will do.

Evidently bands do care or Pete Best would have had a job back in the early 60's.

Title: Re: Ringo Versus Pete Best
Post by: raxo on January 06, 2006, 11:15:26 PM
One Pete's interview:

http://abbeyrd.best.vwh.net/petebestinterview.html
Title: Re: Ringo Versus Pete Best
Post by: raxo on January 07, 2006, 03:46:16 PM
an one review:

http://abbeyrd.best.vwh.net/petebestkingshead.html
Title: Re: Ringo Versus Pete Best
Post by: GreenApple on January 07, 2006, 09:38:04 PM
Quote from: GreenApple
Why do people moan about drummers? In most bands the drummer is just the guy in the background who has to be there. If he sings and writes a few songs, that's just an extra. Unless it's the guy in The Eagles who was more to the fore of things.

Yes, it's my topic. Well..?

But, when I was referring to the guy in the background, I wasn't criticizing great drummers like Bonham, Mitchell, etc. Just drummers in general. And the jokes surrounding them.
Title: Re: Ringo Versus Pete Best
Post by: adamzero on January 09, 2006, 12:19:24 AM
I'd say there's never been a great rock-n-roll band without a good drummer.  I don't know how "good" Pete Best was compared to Ringo.

The Beatles must have known what they were getting with Ringo--a strong but subtle player who WOULD DRIVE the music.  He'd bash the hell out of the snare but play light around the cymbals.  A little like Keith Moon, except not on speed.  Don't fool yourself, Paul might have been telling everybody what to play, but it was Ringo driving the songs from the very beginning (er, well, not Love Me Do).  

I think the Byrd's achilles heel as a band was not having a great drummer (Michael Clarke was a bongo player who supposedly looked right for the part).  Before Clarke left the group was bringing in Jim Gordon.

The opposite is true of the Beach Boys.  Dennis Wilson was clearly not on the level of Hal Blaine, who made the classic Beach Boys magic.  
Title: Re: Ringo Versus Pete Best
Post by: GreenApple on January 09, 2006, 12:57:46 PM
Quote from: GreenApple

Yes, it's my topic. Well..?

But, when I was referring to the guy in the background, I wasn't criticizing great drummers like Bonham, Mitchell, etc. Just drummers in general. And the jokes surrounding them.

I have to explain again: I wasn't criticizing drummers at all. I was wondering why drummers in general get criticized.
Title: Re: Ringo Versus Pete Best
Post by: tkitna on January 10, 2006, 12:50:19 AM
Quote from: adamzero
I think the Byrd's achilles heel as a band was not having a great drummer (Michael Clarke was a bongo player who supposedly looked right for the part).  Before Clarke left the group was bringing in Jim Gordon.

The opposite is true of the Beach Boys.  Dennis Wilson was clearly not on the level of Hal Blaine, who made the classic Beach Boys magic.  

I always thought Michael Clarkes stuff was pretty damn good. Songs like 'Eight Miles High' aint a beginners tune. (Yeah, I know he isnt Jim Gordon, but not many were.)

As for Hal Blaine and Dennis Wilson, I always thought it was funny that Hal even played on Dennis's solo albums and was asked to do so.

Title: Re: Ringo Versus Pete Best
Post by: adamzero on January 11, 2006, 03:19:38 AM
You caught me, TK.  As I was writing that, I thought, well, what about "8 Miles High"?  I have no response to that.  It's an amazing piece of music from top to bottom.  
Title: Re: Ringo Versus Pete Best
Post by: tkitna on January 11, 2006, 06:37:06 AM
I will agree with you AZ that the song kicks. I went to a C,S,N&Y concert in which I had seats somewhat behind the stage. I was a little bummed out until Jim Keltner sat down behind the skins and they cranked out '8 Miles High'. He killed that tune. No wonder people call him the magician.
Title: Re: Ringo Versus Pete Best
Post by: adamzero on January 11, 2006, 08:26:12 PM
I bet Keltner was great.

I know the Byrds say they only used studio guys on "Mr. Tambourine Man"--Hal Blaine on drums, I think.  But it does make you wonder.
Title: Re: Ringo Versus Pete Best
Post by: Bobber on February 02, 2006, 01:58:20 PM
In a way Pete was more a Beatle than Ringo: he spent far more time on stage with John, Paul and George than Ringo.