The Beatles' Thread

**Staun** · 01-31-2018

How close was Ringo and George? They have always seemed a little off center from Paul and John.

**Mister Triscuits** · 01-31-2018

Originally Posted by Staun

How close was Ringo and George? They have always seemed a little off center from Paul and John.

While the other three would often quarrel and resent one another, everybody liked Ringo. The Let It Be film is remembered for its dark and unhappy mood, but there are many sweet moments in it, and one of my favorites is the scene of George helping Ringo write "Octopus' Garden." (Another is the ludicrously staged scene of Paul and Ringo sitting down to play a boogie-woogie piano duet. "Morning, Paul!" "Good morning, Rich!")

**Staun** · 01-31-2018

Originally Posted by Mister Triscuits

While the other three would often quarrel and resent one another, everybody liked Ringo. The Let It Be film is remembered for its dark and unhappy mood, but there are many sweet moments in it, and one of my favorites is the scene of George helping Ringo write "Octopus' Garden." (Another is the ludicrously staged scene of Paul and Ringo sitting down to play a boogie-woogie piano duet. "Morning, Paul!" "Good morning, Rich!")

And I'll ask one last question. It is , I think, widely assumed that The Beatles was John's band. Did the whole group feel that way through it's entire existence?

**JJ88** · 01-31-2018

Paul once said in a 1962 radio interview that 'John is in fact the leader of the group'. But I suspect that view changed! George Martin thought about putting one of them upfront as the 'leader' but felt it worked better as a unit.

Ringo and George remained very close...even after George had an affair with Maureen Starkey.

Ringo was also the last of The Beatles that John saw before his murder- only a matter of months before, I think. He hadn't seen Paul or George for several years. (There was sporadic phone contact between John and Paul, though.)

Originally Posted by Mister Triscuits

He should have been. It was pretty hip for the Beatles to be doing ska in 1968. He was probably jealous that Paul thought of it first.

I've always liked it. Don't care for the bland-ola Marmalade cover, though (easily their worst hit, IMHO).

**Vic2012** · 01-31-2018

It was John's band up until they went psychedelic.

**JJ88** · 01-31-2018

At the time they split, George had very clearly emerged as a force to be reckoned with as a songwriter. I think had they carried on, that would have been a factor and there would have been more of his songs.

**Vic2012** · 01-31-2018

After Brian Epstein died Paul took over.

**JKL2000** · 01-31-2018

I'll tell you the Beatles-related song I can least stand right now: Love, the John Lennon song. It sounds like it was written for an ad for some baby product. I just hate it.

Just sayin'. There aren't too many actual Beatles songs I don't like, I think.

**ronmac** · 01-31-2018

Originally Posted by Mister Triscuits

He should have been. It was pretty hip for the Beatles to be doing ska in 1968. He was probably jealous that Paul thought of it first.

He wasn't a fan of what he considered some of Paul's sillier songs. But, he always gave him credit as a great songwriter ("How do You Sleep" notwithstanding). In fact, he LOVED songs like "Why Don't We Do It In the Road," calling it "one of Paul's best," semi-tongue-in-cheek. They both respected and admired each other's brilliance.

Originally Posted by Staun

And I'll ask one last question. It is , I think, widely assumed that The Beatles was John's band. Did the whole group feel that way through it's entire existence?

John was the leader in the beginning, but didn't assume such a role when they became huge. He had the dominant personality. That doesn't mean he called all the shots. When he began to find other interests, none of that mattered, anyway.

Originally Posted by Vic2012

After Brian Epstein died Paul took over.

Well, not quite. They all assumed responsibilities. But, yes, when they began to fall apart later, it was Paul who tried to hold them together. Even though, he was the one to publicly quit by calling a press conference and conveniently promoting his new solo album. That was a few months after he helped convince John to not quit. Of course, Ringo was the first to quit, way back in '68, only to be lured back by the others.

If anyone in the band was bossy, it was Paul. He typically dictated what he wanted the others to play on his songs, as shown in the film when George was clearly not happy about it telling Paul, "I'll play whatever you want me to play, or I won't play at all." John usually allowed the others to contribute what they wanted to his songs. Both formulas worked.

**JKL2000** · 02-09-2018

Today the Beatles Channel was pushing it - they played a cover version of Ebony and Ivory!

**Koreabruce** · 02-10-2018

Originally Posted by ronmac

He wasn't a fan of what he considered some of Paul's sillier songs. But, he always gave him credit as a great songwriter ("How do You Sleep" notwithstanding). In fact, he LOVED songs like "Why Don't We Do It In the Road," calling it "one of Paul's best," semi-tongue-in-cheek. They both respected and admired each other's brilliance.

John was the leader in the beginning, but didn't assume such a role when they became huge. He had the dominant personality. That doesn't mean he called all the shots. When he began to find other interests, none of that mattered, anyway.

Well, not quite. They all assumed responsibilities. But, yes, when they began to fall apart later, it was Paul who tried to hold them together. Even though, he was the one to publicly quit by calling a press conference and conveniently promoting his new solo album. That was a few months after he helped convince John to not quit. Of course, Ringo was the first to quit, way back in '68, only to be lured back by the others.

If anyone in the band was bossy, it was Paul. He typically dictated what he wanted the others to play on his songs, as shown in the film when George was clearly not happy about it telling Paul, "I'll play whatever you want me to play, or I won't play at all." John usually allowed the others to contribute what they wanted to his songs. Both formulas worked.

In Lewisohn's Tune In, we often get to hear of how Paul liked to remind George that he was "9 months older."

**happytheman** · 02-10-2018

Originally Posted by JJ88

Paul once said in a 1962 radio interview that 'John is in fact the leader of the group'. But I suspect that view changed! George Martin thought about putting one of them upfront as the 'leader' but felt it worked better as a unit.

Ringo and George remained very close...even after George had an affair with Maureen Starkey.

Ringo was also the last of The Beatles that John saw before his murder- only a matter of months before, I think. He hadn't seen Paul or George for several years. (There was sporadic phone contact between John and Paul, though.)

Funny how John never used the leverage of "I started the band" in the same way Paul obviously did towards the end when he assumed the role of leader.. I doubt the others would have tolerated Paul for very long.. of course this was the result of many many years of being together. Re: George and Ringo again.. I suspect due to the length of time they knew each other (that and it was the swinging 60's / anything goes 70's) they were able to let bygones be bygones and continue their friendship.. Not many people get over affairs quite so easily.. I've read several accounts regarding contact between the Beatles in John's later years.. obviously there is the famous Paul and John being together watching Saturday Night Live and joking about going down to the studio to collect their check.. and John speaks in the Playboy interviews about Paul popping by the apartment whenever he was in New York like it was old times.. He had a bit of a strained relationship with George over his book where "he left him out".. I read that book years ago and I don't honestly recall whether George mentions John in it or not..

**mogrooves** · 02-11-2018

Originally Posted by happytheman

I doubt the others would have tolerated Paul for very long.

For all the speculation about Yoko's reportedly baneful presence, I've always suspected that J, G, & R simply could not stand the insufferable McCartney.

**JKL2000** · 02-14-2018

Bit of a tangent: has anyone here ever been to the Beatles Brunch they have at BB King's in NYC every Saturday? If so, how was it? Were there kids there (I imagine there must be usually)? Was it loud?

Thinking of taking my son (8) to it. He'd probably like it since he knows most of the songs, it'd be his first "concert."

**JKL2000** · 02-16-2018

^ No one? They've been doing it for ages.

On another note, remember I mentioned that on Sirius XM's Beatles channel they have a thing called My Fab Four where a listener introduces his four "Fab Four" choices of top Beatles tracks? Well I submitted my Fab Four last week and got an email today saying I was selected to record my Fab Four! Someone's going to call me next week, and they sent a sort of outline to follow.

The Fab Four I selected are:

Magical Mystery Tour
The Fool on the Hill
Only a Northern Song
Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite

I always liked the pychedelic stuff, especially as a kid! Anyway, I'm really looking forward to doing it. If they tell me when it'll be on I'll let you know!

**notallwhowander** · 02-17-2018

I don't think I could do a Fab Four. I look at the second side of Abbey Road, and think, yes, that: from "You Never Give Me Your Money," through "The End." Is that eight songs, or one?

So barring side two of Abbey Road, here's a stab at it...

Something
All You Need Is Love
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Hey Jude

**Vic2012** · 02-17-2018

You Can't Do That
I Saw Her Standing There
Day Tripper
Taxman

**adap2it** · 02-17-2018

Watched this documentary on Netflix last night..HOW THE BEATLES CHANGED THE WORLD. Having a personal interest in some of those changes, I found it especially rewarding.

**Garden Dreamer** · 02-18-2018

Originally Posted by notallwhowander

I don't think I could do a Fab Four. I look at the second side of Abbey Road, and think, yes, that: from "You Never Give Me Your Money," through "The End." Is that eight songs, or

Fab Four songs? OK, I'll play. Same here, side 2 of Abbey Road is my favorite Beatles recording, so I will also choose 4 other songs.

I Want You (She's So Heavy)
Rain
Don't Let Me Down
Dig a Pony

**Mister Triscuits** · 02-18-2018

Hmm. How about...

Strawberry Fields Forever*
Penny Lane*
You Never Give Me Your Money
Girl

*A and B sides of the greatest single EVAR.

**mogrooves** · 02-18-2018

We Can Work It Out
Paperback Writer
Rain
Eleanor Rigby

**Vic2012** · 02-24-2018

I bought a cheap bass a couple weeks ago. I've been playing along to a few Abbey Road tracks all week. Paul was a pretty good bass player. The tone, grooves, and balls are sick. Favorite tracks: Come Together, She's So Heavy, Oh Darling.