In 1962, Ringo Starr had just joined The Beatles when he found himself in an unusual spot during one of the band’s earliest studio sessions. The group was about to record Love Me Do, their first official single, but Starr didn’t get to play drums on the final version that made it to the record stores.
When The Beatles arrived at Abbey Road Studios on September 11, producer George Martin decided to bring in Andy White, a session drummer, to handle the drum part. Starr, who had already performed “Love Me Do” with the band in live shows, was asked to play the tambourine instead. For many new band members, that could have been a tough pill to swallow.
But Ringo didn’t see it that way. In interviews over the years, he’s talked about the moment without frustration or bitterness. He understood why Martin made the call. At the time, producers often used experienced studio players for important recordings, and Martin wanted the first Beatles single to be as polished as possible. Starr stayed with the band and was back on drums in the studio within weeks.
That early experience didn’t slow him down. Over the next few years, Starr became an essential part of The Beatles’ sound. His drumming can be heard on nearly every Beatles recording after Love Me Do, from early hits like I Want to Hold Your Hand to later classics like Come Together and Rain.
Ringo Starr never approached drumming as a chance to show off. His focus was always on the rhythm and how to support the song. The way he played kept the band locked in together. His fills were straightforward but stuck in people’s memories. He wasn’t trying to be flashy; he was trying to make the song sound right.
Paul McCartney has said many times that Ringo’s style was a big reason for The Beatles’ success. According to McCartney, Ringo had the rare ability to play exactly what the music needed, nothing more and nothing less. He credits Ringo with knowing exactly what to play, and just as importantly, when not to play. McCartney has said that Ringo made the songs better because he played for the music, not for himself.
Ringo has echoed those same thoughts. In interviews, he has said that his main job was to keep the rhythm steady and ensure the whole band sounded good, not just the drums.
More than 60 years after that first session, Ringo Starr is still performing and recording. He tours with his All Starr Band and continues to work with musicians from around the world. The Love Me Do tambourine story remains part of Beatles history, but for Starr, it’s just a small piece of a career that has lasted decades.
His legacy is built on far more than that moment. It’s about playing music with heart, humility, and the right feel.