Paul McCartney has played alongside some of the greatest musicians in history, and as a songwriter deeply attuned to rhythm, he has always paid close attention to drummers. Over the years, McCartney has spoken with admiration about John Bonham, Keith Moon, and, of course, his longtime bandmate Ringo Starr, three players who redefined what rock drumming could be, each in a completely different way.
John Bonham: Power with Precision
McCartney often pointed to John Bonham as the embodiment of raw power combined with musical intelligence. Bonham’s drumming with Led Zeppelin wasn’t just loud or heavy—it drove the song. McCartney admired how Bonham could make a band sound enormous while still leaving space for melody. Tracks like When the Levee Breaks demonstrated a sense of groove and authority that went beyond technical flash, something McCartney has long valued in great rhythm sections.
Keith Moon: Controlled Chaos
When talking about Keith Moon, McCartney highlighted his unpredictability and fearless creativity. Moon didn’t play drums in the traditional sense, he exploded around the kit, treating it almost like a lead instrument. McCartney saw Moon as a true original, someone who broke the rules and made The Who sound like no other band on earth. While chaotic on the surface, Moon’s playing had an instinctive musicality that perfectly matched Pete Townshend’s songwriting and Roger Daltrey’s vocals.
Ringo Starr: The Song’s Best Friend
For McCartney, Ringo Starr remains one of the most underrated drummers in rock history. He has repeatedly defended Ringo against critics who equated flash with greatness. McCartney emphasized that Ringo always played for the song, crafting parts that were simple, distinctive, and emotionally right. From the off-kilter feel of Come Together to the subtle swing of Ticket to Ride, Ringo’s drumming helped define The Beatles’ sound and allowed their songwriting to shine.
Three Styles, One Standard Of Greatness
In McCartney’s view, Bonham, Moon, and Starr represent three pillars of rock drumming: power, freedom, and feel. None of them played the same way, and none needed to. What united them was their ability to elevate the music rather than dominate it. For McCartney, that quality, serving the song while shaping the band’s identity, is what ultimately makes a drummer truly great.
Through his reflections, Paul McCartney reminds us that rock history wasn’t built by technique alone, but by personality, instinct, and the deep understanding of how rhythm can move both a band and an audience.
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