It's Been A Hard Days Night...

Think about this for a split second...The Beatles broke up in 1970.

Try this one...Ringo Starr is turning 70.

Feeling old yet?

One of rocks lesser decorated drummers;

Ringo will live on in music mythology and folklore like few before or since. Richard Starkey is on the short-short list and living out his days in rarefied air. For me, drumming has always been about simplicity, spirituality and memorable groove. Like it or not...Ringo Starr hit all the marks and laid serious tracks for all of us to follow. Much like Charlie Watts (Rolling Stones - btw - Watts turns 70 soon as well) and a whole host of percussionists from that era, simplicity was and is the genius. Ringo made it an art form. Do yourself a favor...give a listen to a song titled "Tomorrow Never Knows". It's the final track on the Revolver album (that's right - I said album).  While listening, be sure to note that the song was penned in 1965 and recorded in 1966. Listen to the drum track. For my money - the tune could "drop"  next week and send me running to my kit to bang away to such a fresh jam.

Ringo's kid is Zak Starkey, current drummer for The Who. Zak, has made The Who music his own and is by far the bands best fill-in drummer since the death of Keith Moon. He kept the family name to honor his pop. Kudos to him for what he has accomplished - often stating that his dad was/is his greatest musical influence.

Happy Birthday Ringo!

READ MORE: http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2010-01-13-ringo13_CV_N.htm