So why exactly is Ringo's head lower down on the album cover?

I always took it to be an early indication of Ringo being a 'lesser' Beatle. Because he was less good-looking maybe? Somebody made that decision for some reason.

Probably because it's the way the album cover was shot, but I think John's face  looks a little fat on the front.

Because putting four in a row would have made them too small and lessened the effect? Why is Johns head bigger than Pauls? Simple artistic effect?
Methinks you see too much.

Why are their faces lit from the left side? Why is the album called 'With The Beatles'?
Oh, I agree with Kevin. I think there is no particular reason.

Oh now I remember. It's because big-nosed tone-deaf couldn't-write-a-tune-if-you-put-a-gun-to-his-head drummers don't deserve to stand alongside cool singing songwriting guitar players.

Maybe because he was the shortest one, but probably because of what Kevin said. Drummers get no respect.

I just can't see that there was no particular reason. I'm NOT saying that I disrespect Ringo. I do respect him. I like his drumming, and love the fills. I would guess that it's because he was the drummer.




Have you heard The Carefrees - We Love You Beatles on Beatles-A-Rama?

'We love you Beatles, oh yes we do...

Oh Beatles we love you...yeah, yeah, yeah'?

'We love you Paul, oh yes we do...? etc., etc.  with girl screams. Sweet.

Quoted from GreenApple

I just can't see that there was no particular reason. I'm NOT saying that I disrespect Ringo. I do respect him. I like his drumming, and love the fills. I would guess that it's because he was the drummer.

One could also state that he's the one in front on the picture.

I think I read in Robert Freeman's book that the picture was taken like that because if they had head and shoulder shots of the four guys in a row it wouldn't have fitted so snuggly on the album sleeve.

John's head appears bigger that George and Paul's simply because they are standing behind him!



If memory serves, the cover pic was taken in a hotel room in Bournemouth while they were on tour - the background was the hotel room curtains.

I think legendary rock drummers like Ginger Baker, Keith Moon & John Bonham get lots of respect tkitna.  It seems to me Ringo doesn't get any respect at all even though he's a great drummer in his own right sadly.  

Ringo is lower because he's sitting. That's what drummers do.

From Wikepedia:
Freeman himself remembered:

   " They had to fit in the square format of the cover, so rather than have them all in a line, I put Ringo in the bottom right corner, since he was the last to join the group. He was also the shortest. "

I think the reason for Ringo's apparent "lack of respect" is the same as George's as a guitarist. Neither were flashy, or did huge solos. That's just not how The Beatles were.
I don't know how people rank him against someone similar, say Charlie Watts.

Ringo is much more creative than Charlie Watts.

Quoted from Kevin

From Wikepedia:
Freeman himself remembered:

   " They had to fit in the square format of the cover, so rather than have them all in a line, I put Ringo in the bottom right corner, since he was the last to join the group. He was also the shortest. "

So that's the reason why. Thanks Kevin. I respect Ringo. He did good drumming and contributed a sense of stability to the band.

Quoted from Bobber

Ringo is much more creative than Charlie Watts.

Ringo's fills are the highlight of his drumming. Very creative. Except to say that the four beat fill between '...the girl with the sun in her eyes' and 'Lucy in the sky with diamonds...' is the only moment I don't rate. Too simple, not enough excitement building up.

Quoted from Wayne L.

I think legendary rock drummers like Ginger Baker, Keith Moon & John Bonham get lots of respect tkitna.  It seems to me Ringo doesn't get any respect at all even though he's a great drummer in his own right sadly.  

sure just look a keiths solo sales or how about that top selling fat matress album...i know we all got that one....where does your information come from duh-wayne?????from that same betty crocker site juniors farm learns from??two pea brains in a pod you are...

Quoted from Bobber

Ringo is much more creative than Charlie Watts.

I thought Charlie was creative. Even until this day, i've never heard a drummer mess with a 4/4 beat like Charlie did in the beginning of 'Start Me Up' Brilliant. He's also a terrific jazz player. Not getting into a who's better than who deal, but I love Charlie too.

Oh, and Wayne, Ringo gets tons of respect too. Its just that its usually in the drumming community and not from everyday rock fanboys. All three drummers you listed respected Ringo. That's good enough for me.

Quoted from Kevin

From Wikepedia:
Freeman himself remembered:

   " They had to fit in the square format of the cover, so rather than have them all in a line, I put Ringo in the bottom right corner, since he was the last to join the group. He was also the shortest. "

Quoted from GreenApple

So that's the reason why. Thanks Kevin. I respect Ringo.

Quoted from The End

the picture was taken like that because if they had head and shoulder shots of the four guys in a row it wouldn't have fitted so snuggly on the album sleeve.

That's what I said and I didn't get no bleedin' thanks!!!!

Quoted from Kevin

Because putting four in a row would have made them too small

Ahem....

LOL! Ok ok - I give in!!!

Quoted from The End

That's what I said and I didn't get no bleedin' thanks!!!!

Didn't notice you said it, but thanks.

I was listening to Beatles-A-Rama!!! last night (and I love it by the way), and noticed how time-perfect Ringo's drumming is on the Anthology version of Your Mother Should Know. Also, I saw in a music magazine some years back that Ringo sold more albums in the first five years after the guys split up than John, Paul and George combined!

Quoted from Wayne L.

I think legendary rock drummers like Ginger Baker, Keith Moon & John Bonham get lots of respect tkitna.  It seems to me Ringo doesn't get any respect at all even though he's a great drummer in his own right sadly.  

I'm sick of Bonham. Sorry. Love Moonie.