Ringo Starr turns 72 today. The Beatles wouldn’t have been The Beatles without Ringo. A lot of people make the claim that without Ringo, The Beatles would have been fine with somone else. That Ringo wasn’t the greatest drummer etc. I think Ringo was essential to The Beatles success. Chemistry is an important factor in a rock group, a sports team etc. Ringo was a perfect fit for The Beatles. He was also the perfect drummer for The Beatles. The Beatles didn’t need John Bonham or a Keith Moon. They needed a Ringo Starr.  Those who think Ringo wasn’t a good drummer needs to listen to “Rain”

Ringo was also the one Beatle that the rest all got along with. There would be fighting between John and Paul, John and George, George and Paul but everyone always got along with Ringo. He didn’t take himself too seriously and he wasn’t a songwriting threat to the others. I have read countless books on The Beatles and Ringo to me comes across as the most likeable. After The Beatles broke up-the rest of the guys at times may have not been getting along with the others but everyone would pitch in to help Ringo on one of his solo albums.

Early on in their solo careers Ringo was doing quite well. “It Don’t Come Easy” and “Photograph” are two of my favourite ex-Beatle songs. He’s still around putting out albums every few years and touring with his “All-Star Band”