At 86, few musicians can look back on a career as extraordinary as that of Ringo Starr.
From the early days of Liverpool’s music scene to worldwide fame with The Beatles, he has spent a lifetime behind the drum kit, helping create some of the most recognizable rhythms in popular music. Yet even a legendary musician has heroes of his own—artists whose talent, individuality, and dedication helped shape the way he understood his instrument.
Among the drummers who left a lasting impression was Gene Krupa, the American jazz pioneer whose energetic performances helped bring the drums into the spotlight. Before Krupa, the drummer was often seen primarily as the timekeeper of a band. His showmanship demonstrated that percussion could become a central attraction, commanding an audience’s attention with every roll, accent, and explosive solo.
Then there was Buddy Rich, widely admired for his extraordinary speed, technical precision, and seemingly effortless control. His performances demonstrated that drumming could combine incredible power with remarkable discipline. For younger musicians watching him, Rich represented a level of technical mastery that seemed almost impossible to achieve.
Charlie Watts, the longtime drummer of The Rolling Stones, offered a very different lesson. His playing was understated, elegant, and perfectly suited to the music around him. Rather than overwhelming a song, Watts understood how to give it room to breathe. His restraint became one of his greatest strengths, proving that a drummer did not need constant fills or spectacular solos to make an unforgettable contribution.
💬 “Five men, five different kinds of greatness. I carry them all.”
Keith Moon brought an entirely different spirit to rock music. As the drummer for The Who, he was famous for his explosive energy, unpredictable fills, and almost theatrical approach to the instrument. His playing seemed to burst beyond the boundaries of traditional rhythm, turning the drum kit into an instrument of pure expression. Moon demonstrated that rock drumming could be wild, adventurous, and full of personality.
Finally, Ginger Baker, the legendary drummer of Cream, expanded the possibilities of rock percussion through his distinctive rhythms and jazz-influenced approach. His playing combined complexity, power, and improvisation, helping establish a new musical language during the late 1960s. Baker’s influence reached far beyond the songs he recorded, inspiring generations of musicians to think differently about rhythm and musical structure.
Each of these five men represented a different philosophy. Krupa brought showmanship. Rich embodied technical excellence. Watts demonstrated restraint. Moon celebrated explosive creativity. Baker explored rhythmic complexity. Together, their contributions reveal how many different paths can lead to greatness behind a drum kit.
For Ringo, these musical influences existed alongside his own remarkable journey. When The Beatles emerged from Liverpool and conquered the world, Ringo developed a style that served the songs rather than competing with them. His distinctive feel, steady timing, and musical instincts became an essential part of the band’s sound. He did not need to imitate his heroes; he found his own voice while learning from the musicians he admired.
Looking back at photographs from his younger years, it is easy to imagine the excitement of a young Liverpool drummer discovering the possibilities of music. The future could not have been clear then. There were countless lessons still to learn, stages yet to conquer, and friendships that would become part of musical history.
At 86, the story carries a deeper meaning. Greatness is not measured by speed alone, the loudest performance, or the most complicated rhythm. Sometimes it comes from knowing exactly when to play, when to hold back, and how to make a song unforgettable.
Five drummers, five extraordinary legacies—and one lasting lesson: there is no single way to become great, but the greatest musicians always leave something behind for the next generation.