Post by sayne on Jun 12, 2011 23:19:52 GMT -5
Here's an excerpt from an interview with Greg Lake:
Reflect on touring with Ringo Starr’s All-Starr band in 2001.
It was fantastic because I grew up with The Beatles. They were an early influence, so it was an opportunity to play with one of my heroes. Playing with Ringo was a real eye-opener. Before I worked with Ringo, my impression of him was he was this loose player with a great backbeat. When I played with him, I realized how much of a disciplinarian he is and how hard he works. He’s really into the music—not just his music or The Beatles’ music, but all of the music he plays. He’s dedicated to getting it all right. I also realized how big of a part he played in The Beatles' music. He was a far bigger influence than people would believe, especially on the rhythm stuff. He wasn’t just this happy-go-lucky guy in the back shaking his head. He was a very clever thinker. As I played with him, I started to see why The Beatles were as good as they were. Of course, you had the songwriting of Paul McCartney and John Lennon, but when you stop listening to the main melody, harmonies or singing, and just focus on the rhythm, you’ll hear fantastic stuff. I believe if The Beatles had a different drummer that they wouldn’t have been as big as they were.
I should also say that Ringo is a wonderful human being. He’s been through an awful lot in his life. He’s seen a lot, done a lot, been there, and done that. And he’s been able to tell his story through his personal journey through the drums. He’s recovered from all of that stuff. He’s such a wise man. When he says “Peace and love,” that’s Ringo. He means what he says. You can sum Ringo up with those words.
Contrast having Starr drum on ELP's “Lucky Man” and “Karn Evil 9” during that tour versus Palmer's approach.
It was fantastic and lovely to have Ringo play those songs. It was even more lovely to play bass on his songs, because he has a great feel with his beautiful, off-the-beat approach. He’s not late, but he’s just on the back of the beat. Carl focuses on the forward part of the beat. He’s the first in. But Ringo is just slightly behind. Ringo's special feel always comes through and it’s so solid.
Reflect on touring with Ringo Starr’s All-Starr band in 2001.
It was fantastic because I grew up with The Beatles. They were an early influence, so it was an opportunity to play with one of my heroes. Playing with Ringo was a real eye-opener. Before I worked with Ringo, my impression of him was he was this loose player with a great backbeat. When I played with him, I realized how much of a disciplinarian he is and how hard he works. He’s really into the music—not just his music or The Beatles’ music, but all of the music he plays. He’s dedicated to getting it all right. I also realized how big of a part he played in The Beatles' music. He was a far bigger influence than people would believe, especially on the rhythm stuff. He wasn’t just this happy-go-lucky guy in the back shaking his head. He was a very clever thinker. As I played with him, I started to see why The Beatles were as good as they were. Of course, you had the songwriting of Paul McCartney and John Lennon, but when you stop listening to the main melody, harmonies or singing, and just focus on the rhythm, you’ll hear fantastic stuff. I believe if The Beatles had a different drummer that they wouldn’t have been as big as they were.
I should also say that Ringo is a wonderful human being. He’s been through an awful lot in his life. He’s seen a lot, done a lot, been there, and done that. And he’s been able to tell his story through his personal journey through the drums. He’s recovered from all of that stuff. He’s such a wise man. When he says “Peace and love,” that’s Ringo. He means what he says. You can sum Ringo up with those words.
Contrast having Starr drum on ELP's “Lucky Man” and “Karn Evil 9” during that tour versus Palmer's approach.
It was fantastic and lovely to have Ringo play those songs. It was even more lovely to play bass on his songs, because he has a great feel with his beautiful, off-the-beat approach. He’s not late, but he’s just on the back of the beat. Carl focuses on the forward part of the beat. He’s the first in. But Ringo is just slightly behind. Ringo's special feel always comes through and it’s so solid.
