Ringo Starr, Max Weinberg on Donahue, 1995

Phil Donahue interviews Ringo Starr and Max Weinberg. Taped May 24, 1995, broadcast July 10, 1995 on NBC. Topics include the upcoming Beatles Anthology, drumming influences and styles, and Max's 1984 book The Big Beat: Conversations with Rock's Greatest Drummers, for which Ringo was interviewed.

[@rosedevlin3698]

This is great. Ringo is amazing. I love his genuine personality and his beautiful sense of humor.

[@marioiacolucci]

Great show

[@wanderer1955]

RINGO FOR PRESIDENT!!!!

[@DarkeningSkies1]

Ringo looks younger in 2021 than he did in 1995!

[@andrehof7876]

yes, thaught the same..it is less weight and better dress and skin.

[@fredgien]

@@andrehof7876 Also a fan from Holland?

[@essessessesq]

he eats mostly broccoli, so that might help!

[@anthonyD2365]

Agree!!

[@stevenelief6784]

@@andrehof7876 p9ppppppppppppppp9999999⁹98999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999899999999⁹9999⁹99p9p

[@johnclarke851]

Ringo is the greatest drummer in Rock and Roll/ Pop Music history. Changed everything. Simple, solid, great time and above all, creative and always in service to the song. Egoless, spot on team player.

[@johnmccann8319]

Oh Ringo is briliant! He always makes me laugh with his wit and humour.God bless you Ringo!💚

[@theTruthLifeNWay]

My 2 favourite drummers of all time

[@tonyboyer7923]

Ringo just celebrated his 81st birthday ! So cool to look back now, and see some of the interview's that we all are so very lucky to have as documented proof.... Of the Band that changed music and the world forever !

[@sammcnaughton5961]

Ringo was so polite and calm as Phil, all google-eyed, dug, dug and dug some more for any sensational dirt bits of juicy dirt that he could try and squeeze out of him. Ringo is pure class and rose above it.

[@jamescassidy3995]

It’s always amazing how most of these show hosts are uninformed smug fan boys trying to make it all about themselves when they literally have true artists & living legends who have changed popular culture sitting right in front of them.

[@adrian72300]

Yeah, I only watched for Ringo, Phil Donahue is just the worst

[@nanchanger]

@@adrian72300 he's a Lefty...

[@LudiCrust.]

Phil was a POS

[@bilbobaggins3464]

@@nanchanger So is/was every Beatles member? What are you talkin about lol

[@gordondonahue4810]

Ringo’s sense of humor has always been front and center.

[@paulmcdonough1093]

hes a scouser where like that

[@gordondonahue4810]

@@paulmcdonough1093 Liverpool…

[@waynej2608]

Definitely. I always thought that all four had a great sense of humor, but that John and Ringo had the sharpest wit.

[@petere6162]

It’s a Liverpudlians birthright. A sharp, often self-deprecating wit

[@alanhandleman6513]

I agree, he has a wonderful sense of humor. Have you ever seen the film "The Magic Christian"? It was made in 1968 and stars Ringo and Peter Sellers. Ringo was wonderful.

[@victoriacross675]

Max so young ... Respect ... loving the respect and solidarity ... and yes, respect for Max for fighting about fairness for drummers in relation to work injuries. Max gets it.

[@markdoughty8780]

Ringo's unique style came from the fact that he's a natural left-hander playing a right-handed drum kit - as he mentions here. Ringo's drum skills/style was perfect for The Beatles and as he's previously said, they didn't become famous until he joined. Very underrated but good to see he's getting due credit here.

[@marilynwillett804]

Sorry but I recall those days, Ringo did not make them famous. All teenage girls loved Paul John or George. Ringo was acknowledged.

[@richardhinman3183]

@@marilynwillett804 Ringo's drumming style made the Beatles a complete, professional-sounding band. (When Ringo was hired, he was the most famous musician of the four of them). The Beatles had to sound good on record before the whole screaming-girls thing could happen.

[@WinstonSmith1997]

@bruce t I am a left hand drummer. My drum set is a mirror image of a right hand player. I suppose Ringo learned to play drums without considering he could re arrange his drums to his liking. It doesn't really matter as long as you are comfortable when you play

[@wanderer1955]

@@richardhinman3183 Ringo was a professional musician before JP and G.

[@rg8301]

So glad that Ringo got and stayed sober. He's like watching living history.

[@kathrynmartin9183]

Love him and saw him in Vegas

[@keithvosbrink852]

🤣👍

[@DenseSilkyVenom]

the first of the Beatles to smoke marijuana. He and Bob Dylan shared a doobie

[@paulcachia3480]

Awesome stuff Ringo!

[@jerrysummers5971]

Drink in moderation is ok seems some ppl struggle with that great guy and band....

[@dukeviking]

wow! I remember watching this televised broadcast in the summer of '95. Hard to believe its been 26 years?!

[@Lupton2000]

Afterwards the short-lived set ended and they moved out of NBC Studios into a new studio in Manhattan with a new smaller set.

[@Dr10Jeeps]

What a classy, honest guy. You can't help but be in awe of Ringo and the other three Beatles for the legacy they left. The more I listen to their body of work the more amazed I become.....and I'm 72.

[@johnvickery8554]

Right on, Doc!

[@eltinfrance1679]

Ok p

[@justiceforall6412]

Ringo IS a great drummer. His time keeping is impeccable and his fills are very musical. He always knows what to put into a song to make it work.

[@NoExitLoveNow]

He knew how to play to the song. He was good for that band. No one was writing things in any complex time signature.

[@justiceforall6412]

@@NoExitLoveNow Oh? What about say hmmm..."All You Need is Love," ( 2 time changes) or "I B the Walrus?" Or "Happiness is a Warm Gun?" Those songs all go in and out various time and rhythm changes. Then there's "Here Comes the Sun," (2 time signatures) or....and....

[@NoExitLoveNow]

@@justiceforall6412 I'm not saying he wasn't a good drummer, he would just have trouble if he played for Tool.

[@waynej2608]

@@justiceforall6412 A Day in the Life.

[@jonathanhanser5914]

@@NoExitLoveNow if drummer of Tool was Beatles they wouldn’t have any hits

[@relaxchannel3380]

The Beatles the best four people who bring so much joy into the world and always will

[@relaxchannel3380]

John Paul George Ringo the Top group ever

[@ironjungkwonful]

Max was so humble in this interview- incredible human beings

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

When you hear famous drummers talking about Ringo they always say the same things, he keeps impeccable time, and he "plays within the song". Which is exactly what he was talking about at the end here. Nothing fancy, just plays what needs to be played and plays it right.

[@Bill_Jones.]

You’re right. Just listen to Ticket To Ride for an idea of his creative genius. Also Let It Be is another great song that shows how he played to the song. Name almost any Beatles song and you will see just how great he really was.

[@aburnce]

I always feel like the drummers who grew up on the Beatles are super protective of Ringo and his reputation as a drummer because he gets crapped on so much. It's true that he's not much of a technical drummer, and guys like Max are much better, as in they can do more things well. Ringo famously couldn't get some bits on Back in the USSR and Dear Prudence quite right, and Paul drums on those ones instead. But Ringo is absolutely a genius of giving a song what it needs, and while he may be limited, his uses what he can do brilliantly. His style is so his own and so perfect for what he's playing behind. Not a great drummer technically but a great musician. Musicians understand this and I think all Ringo's "kids" want to give their props to kind of lift him up in public estimation. Not that he's asking.

[@nattheis8779]

Also....can we just appreciate the background Ringo is coming from? The man spent a decent bit of his childhood in the hospital, which oddly enough, is where he started drumming. Not that he had drums, of course. No, Ringo was playing on pots and pans. But he still fell in love with drumming despite not getting his first drum kit until he was 17 or 18. The kit was cheap and old and meant for right-handed drummers, but he was still good enough that after dropping out of high school (because he fell so far behind due to his illnesses), he joined Rory Storm and the Hurricanes in 1959. In 1962, when the band was the most popular band in Liverpool, Ringo left to join the Beatles. Within one year, the Beatles were the most famous band in Britain, soon to be the world. At the height of Beatlemania in 1964, Ringo had been playing drums on a real kit for only seven years.

[@StraightBananaAction]

@@aburnce I agrre with most of what you said but Ringo didn't play on USSR and Dear Prudence because he quit the band for a while to go on holiday. Not because he couldn't. Ringos a very technical drummer, just not flashy

[@aburnce]

@@StraightBananaAction he didn't leave for holiday, he left because he felt he wasn't playing well and everyone else was, and this was part of the reason. It's pretty well documented.

[@debrabugay6335]

Ringo is so sharp and quick witted and a sweet heart

[@Toracube]

So laid back. Cool interview.

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

He has a lot of experience with that.

[@philgranito4043]

I knew the woman asking the question at 17:10...Loretta Picconi...(my good friend, Sam Picconi's mother). RIP Loretta. I was pleasantly surprised to see her at this show/interview.

[@ST-xg3gy]

Wow. What was she like?

[@philgranito4043]

@@ST-xg3gy She had a beautiful personality...and was a great cook & a wonderful mother. She raised 6 wonderful children. Women make the world go 'round. "Sweet Loretta Martin"..I mean 'Picconi' !

[@waynej2608]

Cool. She seems like a wonderful lady.

[@momeymommy]

Excellent comment on Ringo's left handed drumming style!!!

[@farrellmcnulty909]

This is priceless. Thank you SO MUCH for posting this. I predict you'll get a million likes.

[@marioiacolucci]

Donahue was a cool guy great show used to watch it

[@troubledsole9104]

Update: Ringo is doing great.

[@anuman99ful]

Nice

[@wesleyalan9179]

Lol

[@kennyplay5982]

@@anuman99ful xup

[@misterschubert3242]

Peace and love!!!

[@wesleyalan9179]

@@misterschubert3242 ✌❤✌❤✌❤

[@2007christian]

Ringo is such a nice person!

[@russellmartinez3893]

Just saw the Ringo all star band at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Tampa bay area, and he's not missing a beat....no pun intended.. what a show, featured Edgar Winters, Toto guitarist 🎉 and lead singer from men at work ❤❤❤ ..

[@lazur1]

26yrs later, Ringo's looking better than ever@81.

[@kazrules2007]

Ringo in 2021 still looks fantastic...he still looks like himself opposed to some aging stars that you barely recognize.

[@daviddeakins3971]

you know this is from 1995 right? you probably do but just checking.

[@BrianJohnstonTrombone]

Aging starr

[@kazrules2007]

@@daviddeakins3971 yeah.. looks great 2021

[@audreydaleski1067]

Ringo is just so, so likable.

[@johnwhite9825]

God he is a nice man .. a charming nice man ...

[@johnhopkins6092]

Saw him 3 times with his ALL STARR BAND. Great entertainment. Gods Bless Ritchie Starkey ✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻❤️❤️❤️

[@dannymcrooster4089]

Compearing with others interviews, ten years before, Ringo is calm. He was in rehab, undoubtly. Thats why he could enjoy his 80s

[@josephangione261]

Ringo forever!!!

[@ClandestineRecords]

Never seen before, thank you so much for sharing! 😎 I became a Beatles fan around this time of Anthology

[@garyolshan4177]

To illustrate Ringo's greatness as a drummer, you can identity any Beatles song by isolating Ringo's drumming!

[@user-jl8yn7og7b]

What a treat, seeing two of the best drummers together. They both have such a great sense of humour!

[@marioiacolucci]

Rip John and mike

[@chezzachezza7325]

Ringo LEGEND

[@alanhandleman6513]

Anybody who truly loves Ringo must find a copy of the film, "The Magic Christian". This film stars Ringo and the brilliant Peter Sellers, and it demonstrates Ringo's enormous talent as an actor, and his marvelous sense of humor. Please do NOT miss this film.

[@alanstevenson-graham6268]

One ALWAYS has to hit rock bottom before recovering, well done to Ringo and anyone else who experienced problems, common people as well as famous

[@PeaceCommando]

Great show by Phil Donahue, and I enjoyed hearing Ringo's reminiscing on his experiences as a drummer during and after his great run as a Beatle.

[@crspwl1950]

Thank for this. Loved it.

[@TraustiLaufdal]

This interview is so so so amazing

[@MrDavesf]

For me, the best, bar none. I love Ringo's playing, and what a lovely guy.

[@johnwhite9825]

Isn't he ? Unbelievably nice ...

[@simonedgbaston]

@@johnwhite9825 Totally Genuine 🌟

[@johnwhite9825]

@@simonedgbaston He certainly is, and humble. His humility is evident in his drumming .. no look-at-me drum solos, no prima donna behaviour, just sensitive, artistic drumming. He was perfect for The Beatles.

[@debrabugay6575]

Just love Ringo

[@love4joj881]

Aired Monday, July 10, 1995. I remember it well.

[@momeymommy]

Lovely Ringo. Much love and peace always.

[@WidowOfWindsor]

5/30/2023 ALL STARR Tour in my neighborhood! Thank you, Ringo! We loved every minute it.

[@antoinettewitt2098]

Beautiful interview

[@kurikokaleidoscope]

Great period in his life here, beatles anthology, reunion recordings and all-stars starting up.

[@jeffwells1255]

What a great interview! Ringo is so articulate and perfectly charming, like visiting with an old friend we haven't seen for a while. I was 16 when that Sullivan show took over the entire country and turned me into a die-hard music fan of all those wonderful groups that followed from then until now. There was only one event in all those years that exceeded the music, and that was watching the first moon landing as it happened, when I was into my third year as an astronomy major at San Diego State ;)

[@Richbar-qe6bx]

Wow, thanks for posting this. I recorded this on my VCR when it aired back in 95 and the tape got destroyed. It's great to watch it again. I thought I lost it for ever.

[@FastFizzi]

Record this because this could be taken off KZbin

[@gwenlong4176]

I love you Ringo Star ⭐️ love 💕 all of music and love that you give freely to all of us fans

[@cptgulliver]

What a great interview!

[@user-rk2wi1oq5m]

🫡🎵🎶 they were all four masters❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@jimoonan]

Fantastic discussion!

[@rafaelgomez1989]

Wow, never seen this before...love it....Thank you !!!!@@@

[@flautalee3090]

Drummers are the most important part of a band.

[@bafattvahetere]

Next to the bass player. But, depends on which music/band you refer to. In Buddy Rich Big Band, it certainly was.

[@discokitty3375]

Ringo was to me was one that didn't get the recognition that I think he should have I think he was the only one that was the only normal one of the group He's to me the most awesome 😎 he has a great wife and lasting marriage Down to earth guy Ringo looks great today you keep on rocking Ringo we love you🥁🥁💜💜🌷🌷🪕🎸🎙️🎚️🎛️🎧🎵🎶🎼☮️✌️🕊️

[@lucybraun8969]

The odds were against Ringo since he was very young. The important thing is that he rose to the occasion, and met the challenges head on.

[@bodijisattva9333]

Very good Ringo interview

[@ajn465]

All in all I think Ringo was/is the happiest Beatle. The All Starr Band has to be the most epic hang…

[@simonedgbaston]

🎸 Zack Starkey is a wonderful drummer with The Who very like his God Father Keith Moon in style .This guy is humble& down to Earth I have never seen him interviewed till now 🕊

[@carolstasuik5685]

We saw him with the WHO in Oakland many, many years ago. He was dynamic.

[@popculturista]

I have Max's book, "The Big Beat." Great book on drummers, drumming and music. And I am not a musician.

[@rjpg]

Ringo is always a great interview, no stock answers (unlike Paul). His answers always seem sincere.

[@spaceengineer1452]

Paul just recycles...round and round...

[@troubledsole9104]

When Ringo talks, he speaks like he is among friends. He is the real deal.

[@simonedgbaston]

@@spaceengineer1452🕊 I love quite a lot of the Beatles's song's& even like a couple of whole album's by them, as does my partner . I seen Paul McCartney interviewed twice ever in the last decade & found him very up himself it's sad to say 🌞

[@spaceengineer1452]

@@simonedgbaston I think it would be hard, not to be, given the praise thats lavished on him, daily.

[@simonedgbaston]

@@spaceengineer1452 🕊 No it depend's on the individual& their sense of grasp of reality & lack of arrogance . Check out Sinead Oconnor ( Shahuda Sadaquat ) in any interview's during her long career. She is not only a brilliantly talented singer but a superb songwriter too& an extremely modest artist alway's due to I believe her life long close relationship with the almighty. Look for how she replies to praise again& again☀️ 🙏Alhamdulillah👑 ☝

[@genewest8426]

Such a great interview 👏

[@denisecontreras1635]

Like the music- and always will- you are as good as you get and the sub song was meant not to harm but I was sick in an institution and needed to chill. But thanks for sharing that no one is alone and you can get help- live for today and your friends. Take care of you. Drums would be fun. But never learned how to play but hope you all have a good day!!

[@jammin6816]

Ringo is what I refer to as an “intuitive” drummer. Maybe like John, he was more of an artist than a craftsman. Ringo realizes that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, so that’s why I believe he’s a great drummer.

[@beatlejim64]

Ringo had/has great time...great feel...and he "swings". He doesn't over play...he plays to the song...that's the drummers job! Sorry kiddies...but he is the most influential rock'n'roll drummer of all time! Listen to the Beatles play Little Richard's "Oh My Soul" from the BBC in 1963 on You Tube! Listen to McCartney's crazed vocals...and listen to Ringo's great frantic drumming!!!

[@johnjepsen4243]

Sez u .who cares. It's all garbage to PASS THE TIME. LOLLOLLOLLOLLOL

[@Cincinnatus1869]

@@johnjepsen4243 take your meds

[@wanderer1955]

He's certainly the best Drummer in the world for the Beatles.

[@wanderer1955]

@@beatlejim64 Nobody does drum fills like Ringo. They are unmistakable.

[@thefilmandmusic]

Check out Ringo from first US tour , Washington in black and white, keeping them together… just brilliant..

[@mrsbluesky8415]

“what would you do if you show went off?” lol lol 😂 Classic Beatle wit.

[@flautalee3090]

I’ve always had a ton of respect for Ringo ~ I saw him with the Beatles at the Seattle Coliseum in Aug 1965. As I’ve become a better musician, I come real understand the incredibly challenging role [roll~ joke] that a drummer plays in every ensemble. I think Ringo played the tiniest fraction of a beat ahead of the band ~ so that the band didn’t slow down. Awesome technique! I’ve enjoyed Ringo’s records over the years, and also watching him play “Mr Conductor” on the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. My son loved that show - thank you, Ringo! Very funny re: trying to play in concert as a Beatle.

[@5jerry1]

~ When Art Bell interviewed George Carlin, Carlin mentioned taking over the Mr. Conductor role; he called himself "the Anti-Pete Best." I wonder how many people got that.

[@murphy6700]

1:19 "John, Paul and you." What an awful mistake by Donahue. Ringo gently corrects him "And George."

[@anthonyD2365]

Give him a break, Hes Senile like Larry king. Maybe he was just a stones fan? Lol?

[@sanford943]

@@anthonyD2365 Good grief, he was only 60 when he conducted this interview. I guess you never made a mistake when speaking

[@jonathanhanser5914]

Donahue,the original fake new interviewer

[@JohmathanBSwift]

Larry King did one with Paul .

[@sanford943]

@@JohmathanBSwift Paul has been everywhere He did one with Marc Maron a few years ago. www.mixcloud.com/WTFwithMarcMaron/episode-948-sir-paul-mccartney/ My guess it was better than Larry's. Stern interviewed him as well.

[@charleswinokoor6023]

Max Weinberg was the main reason I used to tune in to the Conan O’Brien show. His versatility, musicianship and charisma were unmatched in the world of TV house bands.

[@DavidSmith-uz7sq]

Ringo was my inspiration as well! Watched the Ed Sullivan Show in 64 and said like Max... That's what I want to do and preceded onward with it!

[@yolandamarroquin5099]

a real treat...just growing up together on this planet Earth...OM

[@ashburn47]

For me the best drummer of all time. Period!! Love & Peace from MALAYSIA.✌✌

[@theresacarpenter2712]

I love Ringo's voice!

[@debrabugay6335]

Ringo is so real

[@MrFchank]

And now it's 2023 and Ringo is still touring and going strong at 82 yrs old. Long live Ringo!!

[@Robyn-mi7pl]

Today, in 2024, Max Weinberg is touring with Bruce Springsteen and he still sounds amazing. He hasn't lost a beat. And this is at 73 yo after a heart attack, prostate cancer and 4 hand surgeries. He's definitely Mighty Max.

[@nige-g]

Love Ringo 💘

[@denisecontreras1635]

sunshine missed it by a year or two- but love beatle muisic and the fun things about you!

[@kurikokaleidoscope]

Phil enjoyed this big time.

[@nanchanger]

Excellent!

[@ReturnOfTheJ.D.]

Drummers don't transition to other things as easily as bass players, guitarists, singers. You don't often hear about them moving into other areas of life and becoming successful at that, relative to the other musicians in a rock band.

[@ST-xg3gy]

Donahue, don't touch my wife! Thanks for posting!

[@carlahubbs8833]

I remember watching it when it first aired

[@marioiacolucci]

Ringo is such a cool guy

[@lynnturman8157]

Long haired, middle aged sober Ringo is one of my favorite Ringos.

[@jtb1245]

Class 🌟❤️🌟

[@PotrzebieConolly]

Interesting the contrast between Max Weinberg getting tendonitis after playing all those 5 hour shows, whereas Beatles concerts were maybe 40 minutes.

[@madeiramagic]

Such a real down to earth guy.

[@nedgentz5740]

Two of the very best drummers ever

[@lexmark2951]

This is a great interview because the host asked very good questions... Very interesting

[@toms4442]

peace and love, peace and love!

[@tambalas7104]

ringo awesome! and best drummer too!

[@jamesflores6133]

Excellent

[@wanderer1955]

Ppl say Ringo was a terrible drummer. I say tell me any Beatles song where he plays badly. They never reply back.

[@christophercolt1361]

He;s Certainly Not In The Same League As Jeff Porcaro Or Simon Phillips

[@wanderer1955]

@@christophercolt1361 Correct! He's ABOVE them!!😁👍

[@dashriprock5720]

You are exaggerating. I've never heard anyone say he's terrible. It's because of the Beatles fame he tends to get elevated to an undeserving level. He's not that good, he is a mediocre drummer.

[@wesleyalan9179]

@@dashriprock5720 ... and thats whats so good about it👍 Easy,simple,and not over doing it in a showoff'y way...pure magic!

[@dashriprock5720]

@@wesleyalan9179 His career timing was right. There was a time in rock and roll when mediocre drumming was fine. Prior to that big band/jazz required actual skill and proper training. As rock became more progressive more skill and talent was needed. Its not his drumming its the great song the Beatles wrote

[@BBQFanNo1]

Ringo Starr and Keith Richards give me some inspiration that against all obstacles you can survive the oldest years of your life and take a much more appreciation for the moments you given from God that were taken for granted when you were much younger.

[@simonedgbaston]

I adore Keith 🌟

[@jaelge]

Even if Ringo said something mean about you, you'd never know it.

[@doc2590]

I have about 100 Beatles songs on my playlist and can listen to them for hours, there is no other band or artist that I can listen to for more than 3 or 4 songs without getting tired of their sound.

[@markbailey6051]

That is what Brothers Do. He is the Best!

[@dashriprock5720]

Pete Best?

[@markbailey6051]

@@dashriprock5720 Ringo is the Best!

[@dashriprock5720]

@@markbailey6051 sucks

[@harryk9181]

Donahue is a weirdo. Constantly lunging across the table at Ringo. Ringo as always, humble, funny and the man. Watch the audience. The magnetism is incredible.