What a fucking prick to suggest that Ringo was comic relief, that George was incidental and that the beatles individually weren't great instrumentalists individually. It comes from that snobbish and cranky stupid school of thought that suggests only wank off self indulgent Jazz players are the only technically gifte
Penn's grasping and way off here. This is a bad analogy comparing the Beatles to a cheesy 80s hair band and an attempt to compartmentalize their roles within the band. The Beatles were a lot more creative and groundbreaking than that. Also, dismissing Ringo and George is really lame. George wrote "Here Comes The Sun", "Something", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", Ringo is an amazing drummer (would "Come Together" be the same without his crazy rolls on the verses? I think not) This video's lame
Ringo was and is an excellent drummer! When he came on board with the others Ringo was considered one of the best in the local circuit of musicians. In an interviw, Ringo pointed out that with the music, John and Paul were very specific about how the drums should be played. All four of them went on to successful solo musicians with each member being a fantastic musician in his own right. Any changes in time were, for Ringo, either intentional, or very slight!
When asked in interviews about The Beatles, Ringo says that he doesn't remember much because, he spent most of his time either drunk or stoned. So you can forgive him for not being at the top of his game most of the time.
George once said; Ringo never needed to warm up. He was always ready and tight as a clock. They hired Ringo once they got a record contract. Producer George Martin was unhappy with sloppy Pete Best. Rather than have a studio drummer, they got Ringo who was in another semi- popular band at the time. Once Ringo was part of the band things clicked. He had a great attitude and influenced lyrics and song titles. Insulting him isn't fair.
MOST rock drummers drift a little. That's because human beings aren't machines. Ringo is pretty solid most of the time, but every once in a while, yes, you can hear him drift tempo-wise. (It's very noticeable in "You Won't See Me," for instance, which slows down quite a bit over the course of the song.) He's a better drummer than you're giving him credit for, though. His best talent was that he got out of the way of the song. I wouldn't want to hear Beatles songs with Neil Peart drumming.
Not always true. When Jimmy Page started Zepplin, he purposely set out to find the best singer, drummer and bassist. Jones was an established session musician, not a rock and roller. And even in jazz, there's exceptions. Mingus used Danny Richmond as a drummer because they were friends. There are other exceptions. Just sayin.'
Once again, Mr. Knowitall has no clue as to what he's talking about when it comes to The Beatles. The Beatles are in a class by themselves. At one point, The Beatles owned the Top 5 spots on the Billboard Charts. No other band in history has done that nor caused the level of hysteria amongst its fans as did The Beatles. Is it just me or does he look exactly the same upside down?
Penn's got a way with words, but I'll disagree on a couple of points. On the romantic ideal of rock band formations, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones cut their teeth as studio musicians well before forming the iconic Led Zeppelin, so I wouldn't use the inexperienced musician as a defining point of rock. Flipping over to jazz, there are many bassists known as soloists (which Penn isn't discounting) who hardly fit into the "know your role" idea. In short, rock and jazz aren't always so different.
Paul is a fine bass player and let's not forget, he was highly influenced in the way he played his bass and created bass lines by Brian Wilson's beautifully melodic and atypical bass parts.
And since George wasn't mentioned in the video, I'll go ahead and mention him. What do George and I have in common? He played the Sitar and I play the Sitar. He liked acid and I like acid.
Hi Penn fans. Penn Says videos have been discontinued, so you won't be seeing any new content on here. You can check out our Profile on our Channel Page for more info. We'll still be checking in, so hope to keep chatting with you all! Thanks!
It's true. A lot of rock musicians (not all) throughouit the ages are deficient. Bernard Purdie and Hal Blaine (both proficient drummers of jazz even though it's not their main thing) recorded so many of the hits in studio because the band's real drummer couldn't cut it under the mike.
I love Penn, LOVE Penn, but I have to disagree with him here. Ringo is one of the most solid rock drummers I've ever heard. Plus, ya gotta remember he was left-handed, playing a right-handed kit. (Same with Clem Burke from Blondie.) If you read about the Beatles recording sessions, Ringo was the most reliable musician of all the Beatles.
Also, I didn't listen to the whole video before posting that. As soon as I heard him say the first thing about Paul's bass lines I paused it to comment.
I just wanted to add that I totally forgot about the Beatles remastered. It was good but for some reason I was thinking "Is he talking about Love? No video isn't that old.. is he talking about Rock Band?... no.."
When I heard the remastered versions I noted to my gf that the bass lines stand out phenomenally.
Last comment, sorry I just had so much to say, I just discovered that Penn has this series of videos. I wouldn't credit him with getting me into skepticism so much but now I'm not sure. I watched BS a lot and liked it but didn't realize really that there was a 'thing' of skepticism. Then later I discovered it and THEN found out he was and it all made sense.
Anyway,what do you guys think? I feel like Abbey Road and Revolver would be the best. Yellow Submarine (the US one) is also a great choice.
One of the major problems it that, BEATLES FANS are the ones who try to get non-beatles fan into the music. They tend to show them something like the White Album, great great album and one of my favorites, or Sgt. Pepper because it's so well known and popular OR worst case (and very common) their OLDEST ERA (I wanna hold your hand type stuff) instead of what is great to introduce them with.
Teens today see them as boring because the only Beatles you ever see on TV is black and white Ed S. days.
But he writes the most PERFECT bass line that could possibly be conceived for each indivudal song. I've never heard bass lines quite like his and yet the individual notes aren't anything difficult. He has SUCH a groove.
The Beatles are such a famous band for a few reasons, one of the main things is the history and the.. aura of the band itself. Really though, MUSICALLY, if you haven't got into them you don't know what you aren't missing until you find it.
I have been trying to tell people for years that Paul McCartney is my favorite bassist. This came after years of not liking the beatles as a kid because, you know, I was born in '85 so it wasn't really 'hip' to like them.
I play guitar but I also play bass and what REALLY got me into the Beatles was something that I couldn't figure out for years.
I finally realized EXACTLY what you just said. Paul's bass lines are INCREDIBLE. I'm not saying hes the best TECHNICALLY.
@sluggxp "As for Ringo, he's a really boring, lame, untalented drummer. He was friends with the other guys in the band and had a good image, that's it."
@sluggxp ringo wasnt untalented and he wasnt just the drummer because he was friends with the other beatles, the original beatles drummer was kicked out of the band by their first manager so they found a random drummer they barely knew from another local band because they were about to start recording and needed a new drummer
I don't mean to sound like some beatle-freak, but in all seriousness saying something like that only reveals your ignorance of the development of popular music. They changed it. Very very radically. Trust me. Doesn't mean you have to love them, but you have to respect them.
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your exactly right i am ignorant of popular "pop" music...and if 13 year old girls ever scream and pass out at a bands concert, its ok to point out that they are just another stupid boy band whos music could only possibly appeal to teens with vaginas.
Some good observations . . . Of course saying that Lennon was a GREAT "rhythm" player is hardly news . . . and Paul pretty much plays every instrument great, but w/o question, his bass lines (composing/playing) is what separates the Beatles from most (rock/pop) groups.
George played "his role" brilliantly and Ringo (who often played "riffs" on the drums) actually had pretty solid meter.
Great introspect on the Beatles, Penn. I grew up listening to them and can say that Ringo originally inspired me to be a percussionist, but as I've grown musically and also as a person, I've realized that in terms of rock and roll, the only drummer with the ability to completely blow me away is Neil Peart.
Uh, Penn. According to George Martin in his book 'All You Need Is Ears', Paul played drums on the song 'Birthday', not Ringo. So, any time drift on that song would have nothing to do with Ringo.
Well different bands use different instruments in differenent areas. Bass is always depth of the song but RHCP bass is probably the most important thing
I don't get how you make that leap...I'm pretty sure they started around the same time, so not really influences on each other as neither had made it big enough to be an influence yet.
Les Claypool is the greatest bassist I've ever heard though, that's a band where the bass is undoubtedly the lead.
The Beatles were ultimately an incredibly fortunate grouping of guys who brought exactly what was needed to the table. The results speak for themselves. Paul was also a decent drummer. Didn't he do the drumming on "Birthday?" -- Can't remember.
Let's face it. Most of what we call "Real Musicians" were the Motzarts, Beethovens and the Bachs of the world. That was real music. Hell some of Beethoven's best work he wrote while he was deaf!!!! Shit!! He knew it was good by the notes!!!! If there is anybody alive that could do that I never heard of them.
Also, let's not forget that discussing some of this is like talking about a good hamburger you had. It was everything put together that made you like it. The sum of the they say.
You're absolutely right about Paul sort of taking the lead role. I've realized this myself as a bass player that Paul isn't really accenting the melodies like a bass player usually does. He is playing the melodies and the rest take after his lead.
Nothing makes for shitty music quite like people who are all technical skill and have no creativity. Look at all of those horrible singers who like to just warble their voice up and down for 3 minutes to show that they can do it, but haven't got a single word to say.
I like a lot of Beatles songs, but not one of them because I was impressed by physical ability.
If the whole band knows how to play each instrument...you have the makings for a GREAT band..they can show each other what they are thinking...if that makes since..
Penn, I usually love your videos, but please stop talking about musicians. Some of us do not enjoy the same genre of music as you. Granted, we all have and should celebrate different opinions; however, it is kind of getting repetitive. Just a thought.
Under normal circumstances, yes. But I think that after so many videos on the same topic, my opinion is warranted, and there are others out there who feel the same as I do.
Yes, but you see that is the difference, you can choose to not watch the video, I can't choose to watch the video if it doesn't exist. Why would you want to deprive other people?
Many great jazz musicians developed in late-night jam sessions and such. Quite a few in big bands too. There's still a lot of group development, Its just not necessarily the same group.
Take Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers for example.
Ok, I aked it before, but I guess you can't answer. Either way i would like to know.
You gave everybody a little hint about what you think about LOVE, but have yet to comment on Cheap Trick doing Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Concert.
BTW they had Ian Ball singing "I am the Walrus" and he nailed it perfectly!!!!
Penn's video essays are passionate and informed, but, having spent many years reading about the Beatles (and listening to their albums), I want to say a few things. Paul McCartney says he and Ringo worked very carefully coordinating the drumming with the bassline. George and Ringo both pointed out in interviews that John's timing drifted and George and Paul said in interviews that Ringo kept perfect time.
Funny how the people saying "drums aren't a real instrument" usually can't play them themselves (beyond just simple beats of course).
I think one guy up-comments said that drums don't deserve any more credit than a metronome. lol what? The history of rock music from the late 60's to present bows down to the reality you're created in your head. :P
Everyone who digs what Penn is saying should check out the band Phish. All 4 guys in Phish are masters of their instruments. Highly recommend Phish to everyone...
thanks i'll check them out. i think penn said something along the lines of "the romantic ideal of rock is to form a band with your friends and getting into an instrument that isn't necessarily meant for you". to me that just means ideally, in rock your just having a good time and not worrying too much about instrument mastery, and that there are exceptions.
maybe he means 'drummer' as in 'Willy Loman'..i dont know.. but in the pocket? that'd be maceo parker...i dont think sonny rollins wore pants when he played.
one time i played "imagine" on my great grandpas piano (who is an accomplished jazz musician) and he asked me who it was. when i said it was lennon he replied "now i know why they shot him". hahah it was pretty funny coming from an 88 year old man.
why didn't he just use a metronome? obviously there was a reason behind it. most drummers can't keep time perfectly throughout an entire song unless they use a metronome. i'm not a beetles fan but ringo is cool.
For examples of great bands in jazz, check out The Bad Plus and the late great Esbjorn Svensson Trio (EST). They really did develop their own unique sounds by playing in a band setting, which is less typical for jazz musicians, as PENN SAYS! :)
Yeah I've seen bands where they tried to get expert musicians who've mastered specific instruments together and they just ...fail, for some reason. I don't know if it's the clashing egos or what, but as Penn said the best bands do tend to be formed by friendship.
Interesting video, but you said drums aren't really an instrument? Did I hear that right? The drums are the foundation, the drums are the original instrument.
Sony killed Michael Jackson to clear the rights for releasing the remastered Beatles music as well as the new Beatles Rock Band series. Killing Jacko was a brilliant business move. If this comment is removed, then you'll know it's true.
Ya know, I was just thinking.."Penn would be a cool guy to have a beer with"...and then it occurred to me.."I'd never get a word in 'edge wise' anyway" :)
@ ijokayou: Penn's fans likely *do* enjoy what he makes his videos about, myself included. It sounds like you're referring to the interests of fans of his magic show, which may vary from fans of the man himself. You imply that if he talked less about these things his show would improve through the addition of new material, but if he wasn't thinking and talking about these things he'd be a different person, meaning the show would be different as well and you probably wouldn't even be here.
I love how butthurt people get when someone says "Drums aren't really an instrument", or "it doesn't really take much musical talent to be a drummer."
Basically everyone involved in music agrees with that, and people who either play the drums, or don't actually know what they're talking about get all indignant and pretend to know more than they actually do.
The drummer is to the ruck band, as the metronome to the piano player.
I NEVER heard of a drummer coming up with a song unless he plays an instrument like piano or guitar. I don't see how a percussionist can come up with a tune.
Granted it is as hard to master. On the other hand you gotta have a sense of rhythm
I was having this conversation once. Metal is like an in between of the two thoughts; one person specializes, finds others, and they make a band. But of course, metal was invented by a Jazz guitarist (Tony Iommi)
Penn's comments on the Beatles reminds me how I always saw the Who...John Entwhistle played lead (on bass), Moonie played the guitar-like solos and Pete held the shit down with his wonderful chords.....
(Disclaimer: ALL typos are to excused. I have a cast on my right arm...If you don't like it...pix off..Thank you and have a great day!)
Too funny. I play guitar, used to play Lead in a band. After the band split up I got roped in to playing in another band...playing Bass this time. Rock n Roll man.
Meh I always thought Ringo was venerated because he would drift. Drifting is what makes their songs so memorable. If you sit down an instrumentalist and let them play with no backin drum or click, then you can really start to feel the instrument. There is a lot to be said for drifting in time.
It is much more noticable these days, however, with Pro Tools and its ilk where one can make any drum player perfect, literally perfect down to the milisecond.
Hm. I can't imagine John on drums.. though the beatles could've certainly done it as a trio I'm glad Ringo was there just to be Ringo. Who else could've done that cheesy drum solo at the end of Abby Road?
I disagree with George on base. I really like George's guitar playing, he had his own personal sound that brought something special. Paul could and did play all the instruments, he's as good on piano as base and his guitar picking on acoustic is the best. Paul is a genius, by far my favorite.
did the same thing with the three stooges...been a subscriber for a few months and now im seeing the sales pitch patterns. its usually something sony is selling that he reviews for days...
Well, it's not like he's selling shit products he doesn't believe in.
I know for a fact that Penn's been a long time fan of the stooges.
As for the Beatles, I don't remember him mentioning them specifically, but I'm pretty sure he has. Even if he hasn't, I'm sure he really does love their music.
o yeah, i have no doubt that he is an actual fan of what he reviews. and im a huge fan of his, i dont want that twisted. the beatles are rightfully called legends because they are incredible and the stooges are untouchable in their work.
another example, he disses american idol in one "penn says" but puts over DWTS because they were on it...and guess which show sony is involved with.
im just saying these are moving away from penn's thoughts and more toward selling products.
It... doesn't really sound like he's selling it to anyone but himself. I highly doubt that there's someone in the back pushing money on him to make these statements. Just cause someone famous talks about something he enjoys the guys gotta be selling it? That's kind of ignorant. Just saying, isn't it more appropriate to assume the guy is just talking about something he likes in the absence of evidence?
I agree. Having a guitarist who acts like a drummer and a bass player who acts like a guitarist, etc... Really does make for interesting music. Tool does this very well, but it never occurred to me to think of the Beatles in this way. :-)
pretty much every rock and roll band I was ever in, everybody could play every instrument to a certain degree....it made in easy and fun to write stuff
Thats how most punk rock bands start. The only difference is, that most punk bands dont actually learn how to play untill about 5 records in. And lets all not forget a Mr. Les Claypool. He doesnt "know" how to play bass, he's self taught. But he's one of the greatest bass players of all time.
What a waste of 5min listening to this clown talk pure dung hahaha they way he looks tho did give us all a laugh :-)
pyleen 3 months ago
What a fucking prick to suggest that Ringo was comic relief, that George was incidental and that the beatles individually weren't great instrumentalists individually. It comes from that snobbish and cranky stupid school of thought that suggests only wank off self indulgent Jazz players are the only technically gifte
n136h 4 months ago
Penn's grasping and way off here. This is a bad analogy comparing the Beatles to a cheesy 80s hair band and an attempt to compartmentalize their roles within the band. The Beatles were a lot more creative and groundbreaking than that. Also, dismissing Ringo and George is really lame. George wrote "Here Comes The Sun", "Something", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", Ringo is an amazing drummer (would "Come Together" be the same without his crazy rolls on the verses? I think not) This video's lame
YusifRock 7 months ago
Everyone knows that Ringo is the coolest beatle.
Jcolinsol 1 year ago
I'm so sick of motherfuckers dissecting the Beatles... get the fuck over it.
Gravitymann 1 year ago
Ringo was and is an excellent drummer! When he came on board with the others Ringo was considered one of the best in the local circuit of musicians. In an interviw, Ringo pointed out that with the music, John and Paul were very specific about how the drums should be played. All four of them went on to successful solo musicians with each member being a fantastic musician in his own right. Any changes in time were, for Ringo, either intentional, or very slight!
SoTiredOfIdiocy 1 year ago 3
I love Ringo. He's great.
dsrtflwr 1 year ago
When asked in interviews about The Beatles, Ringo says that he doesn't remember much because, he spent most of his time either drunk or stoned. So you can forgive him for not being at the top of his game most of the time.
panterguy 1 year ago
I smell BS.
George once said; Ringo never needed to warm up. He was always ready and tight as a clock. They hired Ringo once they got a record contract. Producer George Martin was unhappy with sloppy Pete Best. Rather than have a studio drummer, they got Ringo who was in another semi- popular band at the time. Once Ringo was part of the band things clicked. He had a great attitude and influenced lyrics and song titles. Insulting him isn't fair.
Vivzid 1 year ago
MOST rock drummers drift a little. That's because human beings aren't machines. Ringo is pretty solid most of the time, but every once in a while, yes, you can hear him drift tempo-wise. (It's very noticeable in "You Won't See Me," for instance, which slows down quite a bit over the course of the song.) He's a better drummer than you're giving him credit for, though. His best talent was that he got out of the way of the song. I wouldn't want to hear Beatles songs with Neil Peart drumming.
SirHatchporch 1 year ago
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john lennons sucks
parlock480 1 year ago
Not always true. When Jimmy Page started Zepplin, he purposely set out to find the best singer, drummer and bassist. Jones was an established session musician, not a rock and roller. And even in jazz, there's exceptions. Mingus used Danny Richmond as a drummer because they were friends. There are other exceptions. Just sayin.'
plangentmusic 1 year ago
Paul played drums on Birthday.
plangentmusic 1 year ago
@plangentmusic And on The Ballad of John and Yoko
romans52345 9 months ago
Once again, Mr. Knowitall has no clue as to what he's talking about when it comes to The Beatles. The Beatles are in a class by themselves. At one point, The Beatles owned the Top 5 spots on the Billboard Charts. No other band in history has done that nor caused the level of hysteria amongst its fans as did The Beatles. Is it just me or does he look exactly the same upside down?
AceOfHeart2012 1 year ago
Penn's got a way with words, but I'll disagree on a couple of points. On the romantic ideal of rock band formations, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones cut their teeth as studio musicians well before forming the iconic Led Zeppelin, so I wouldn't use the inexperienced musician as a defining point of rock. Flipping over to jazz, there are many bassists known as soloists (which Penn isn't discounting) who hardly fit into the "know your role" idea. In short, rock and jazz aren't always so different.
KaineSpawnX 1 year ago
Paul is a fine bass player and let's not forget, he was highly influenced in the way he played his bass and created bass lines by Brian Wilson's beautifully melodic and atypical bass parts.
And since George wasn't mentioned in the video, I'll go ahead and mention him. What do George and I have in common? He played the Sitar and I play the Sitar. He liked acid and I like acid.
JoshSitar 1 year ago
Hi Penn fans. Penn Says videos have been discontinued, so you won't be seeing any new content on here. You can check out our Profile on our Channel Page for more info. We'll still be checking in, so hope to keep chatting with you all! Thanks!
pennsays 1 year ago
It's true. A lot of rock musicians (not all) throughouit the ages are deficient. Bernard Purdie and Hal Blaine (both proficient drummers of jazz even though it's not their main thing) recorded so many of the hits in studio because the band's real drummer couldn't cut it under the mike.
jermo6676 1 year ago
Rock and roll is an idea, like liberty
libertarianjury 1 year ago
I love Penn, LOVE Penn, but I have to disagree with him here. Ringo is one of the most solid rock drummers I've ever heard. Plus, ya gotta remember he was left-handed, playing a right-handed kit. (Same with Clem Burke from Blondie.) If you read about the Beatles recording sessions, Ringo was the most reliable musician of all the Beatles.
skrason 2 years ago
Also, I didn't listen to the whole video before posting that. As soon as I heard him say the first thing about Paul's bass lines I paused it to comment.
I just wanted to add that I totally forgot about the Beatles remastered. It was good but for some reason I was thinking "Is he talking about Love? No video isn't that old.. is he talking about Rock Band?... no.."
When I heard the remastered versions I noted to my gf that the bass lines stand out phenomenally.
I can't express how much I agree
LanIost 2 years ago
Last comment, sorry I just had so much to say, I just discovered that Penn has this series of videos. I wouldn't credit him with getting me into skepticism so much but now I'm not sure. I watched BS a lot and liked it but didn't realize really that there was a 'thing' of skepticism. Then later I discovered it and THEN found out he was and it all made sense.
Anyway,what do you guys think? I feel like Abbey Road and Revolver would be the best. Yellow Submarine (the US one) is also a great choice.
LanIost 2 years ago
One of the major problems it that, BEATLES FANS are the ones who try to get non-beatles fan into the music. They tend to show them something like the White Album, great great album and one of my favorites, or Sgt. Pepper because it's so well known and popular OR worst case (and very common) their OLDEST ERA (I wanna hold your hand type stuff) instead of what is great to introduce them with.
Teens today see them as boring because the only Beatles you ever see on TV is black and white Ed S. days.
LanIost 2 years ago
But he writes the most PERFECT bass line that could possibly be conceived for each indivudal song. I've never heard bass lines quite like his and yet the individual notes aren't anything difficult. He has SUCH a groove.
The Beatles are such a famous band for a few reasons, one of the main things is the history and the.. aura of the band itself. Really though, MUSICALLY, if you haven't got into them you don't know what you aren't missing until you find it.
LanIost 2 years ago
OH.
MY.
FUCKING.
GOD.
I have been trying to tell people for years that Paul McCartney is my favorite bassist. This came after years of not liking the beatles as a kid because, you know, I was born in '85 so it wasn't really 'hip' to like them.
I play guitar but I also play bass and what REALLY got me into the Beatles was something that I couldn't figure out for years.
I finally realized EXACTLY what you just said. Paul's bass lines are INCREDIBLE. I'm not saying hes the best TECHNICALLY.
LanIost 2 years ago
Penn, you're the man, but drums aren't instruments? You may have broken my heart a little bit.
I'm not mad at you, but I'm just assuming that you haven't been exposed to the wide realm of percussion.
Long story short, a drum is DEFINITELY an instrument. Drums are a lot harder to play correctly than most people realize.
As for Ringo, he's a really boring, lame, untalented drummer. He was friends with the other guys in the band and had a good image, that's it.
sluggxp 2 years ago
I'm pretty sure that was just a joke.
Flatliner0452 2 years ago
listen to abbey road, ringo was a great drummer
FlyingFooBalls 2 years ago
and she says she says
FlyingFooBalls 2 years ago
@sluggxp Here's Penn playing the drums, pretty sure it's a joke: watch?v=_z2eQDNGSGA
pennsays 2 years ago
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@sluggxp "As for Ringo, he's a really boring, lame, untalented drummer. He was friends with the other guys in the band and had a good image, that's it."
You are fucking retarded.
triforce10155 1 year ago
@sluggxp A lot of musicians say drums aren't instruments or drummers aren't musicians. Drummers are in a category by themselves.
dsrtflwr 1 year ago
@sluggxp ringo wasnt untalented and he wasnt just the drummer because he was friends with the other beatles, the original beatles drummer was kicked out of the band by their first manager so they found a random drummer they barely knew from another local band because they were about to start recording and needed a new drummer
Preston060796 1 year ago
Great video, I agree with everything except for the comment about drums not being an instrument.
kizzume 2 years ago
Drums aren't a instrument? That better have been Penn the comedian and not Penn the musician.
CheifJay 2 years ago
Right on! As a (electric) bass player, I admire McCartney and Lennon as incredible at rhythm and melody makers.
stefestella 2 years ago
I remember Eddie Van Halen saying (in an old guitar mag interview) that he was really just a frustrated keyboard player.
padseenoodle 2 years ago
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who cares , the beatles are just the backstreet boys, nsync, of their generation. just another stupid boyband.
bearshaman0 2 years ago
I don't mean to sound like some beatle-freak, but in all seriousness saying something like that only reveals your ignorance of the development of popular music. They changed it. Very very radically. Trust me. Doesn't mean you have to love them, but you have to respect them.
Manwithcam 2 years ago
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your exactly right i am ignorant of popular "pop" music...and if 13 year old girls ever scream and pass out at a bands concert, its ok to point out that they are just another stupid boy band whos music could only possibly appeal to teens with vaginas.
bearshaman0 2 years ago
Don't get me wrong dude. I respect the beatles a whole lot, but....I'm die-hard on Queen man...sorry.
-R78
Rodimus78 2 years ago
@Rodimus78 YES! Queen freaking rock. Hard.
JoshSitar 1 year ago 3
Penn isn't even the funniest guy in Penn and Teller.
bobbyt65 2 years ago 2
Penn, if you have one great skill, its that you can have a great point and be completely full of shit at the same time.
jordanowen42 2 years ago 12
The drummer from Def Leppard's only got one arm
The drummer from Def Leppard's only got one arm
The drummer from Def Leppard's only got one arm
RitusG 2 years ago 2
Bloodhound Gang.
MarkTheMagnificent 2 years ago 2
which drummer?
Saternoc 2 years ago
Drums are not really an instrument?????!? Child, please!
BeefPies 2 years ago 2
I believe he meant it's not an instrument as much it is a combination of instruments, which it is.
SuomiMetal 2 years ago
Some good observations . . . Of course saying that Lennon was a GREAT "rhythm" player is hardly news . . . and Paul pretty much plays every instrument great, but w/o question, his bass lines (composing/playing) is what separates the Beatles from most (rock/pop) groups.
George played "his role" brilliantly and Ringo (who often played "riffs" on the drums) actually had pretty solid meter.
RonPaulGeorgeRingo 2 years ago
Great introspect on the Beatles, Penn. I grew up listening to them and can say that Ringo originally inspired me to be a percussionist, but as I've grown musically and also as a person, I've realized that in terms of rock and roll, the only drummer with the ability to completely blow me away is Neil Peart.
kittenen 2 years ago
Uh, Penn. According to George Martin in his book 'All You Need Is Ears', Paul played drums on the song 'Birthday', not Ringo. So, any time drift on that song would have nothing to do with Ringo.
dimone 2 years ago
You can't lough at your own jokes. You need a Ph.D in comedy first.
oldarney 2 years ago
anndahh.....
n0md3plum 2 years ago
Well different bands use different instruments in differenent areas. Bass is always depth of the song but RHCP bass is probably the most important thing
dandaman2207 2 years ago
No Flea=No RHCP.
blackrainuponus 2 years ago
No RHCP=No Primus :-0
Scrapheap71 2 years ago
I don't get how you make that leap...I'm pretty sure they started around the same time, so not really influences on each other as neither had made it big enough to be an influence yet.
Les Claypool is the greatest bassist I've ever heard though, that's a band where the bass is undoubtedly the lead.
blackrainuponus 2 years ago 2
Yeah, I guess they didn't influence eachother much. Les Claypool calims to have been inspired by Rush, Frank Zappa and Pink Floyd.
RHCP helped pave the way for Primus, in a pop-culture sense, since they got popular a couple of years before Primus did.
Scrapheap71 2 years ago
And George Martin was the glue.
The Beatles were ultimately an incredibly fortunate grouping of guys who brought exactly what was needed to the table. The results speak for themselves. Paul was also a decent drummer. Didn't he do the drumming on "Birthday?" -- Can't remember.
pitbull103 2 years ago
Let's face it. Most of what we call "Real Musicians" were the Motzarts, Beethovens and the Bachs of the world. That was real music. Hell some of Beethoven's best work he wrote while he was deaf!!!! Shit!! He knew it was good by the notes!!!! If there is anybody alive that could do that I never heard of them.
Also, let's not forget that discussing some of this is like talking about a good hamburger you had. It was everything put together that made you like it. The sum of the they say.
jehjeh3712 2 years ago
You're absolutely right about Paul sort of taking the lead role. I've realized this myself as a bass player that Paul isn't really accenting the melodies like a bass player usually does. He is playing the melodies and the rest take after his lead.
zanarian11 2 years ago
Nothing makes for shitty music quite like people who are all technical skill and have no creativity. Look at all of those horrible singers who like to just warble their voice up and down for 3 minutes to show that they can do it, but haven't got a single word to say.
I like a lot of Beatles songs, but not one of them because I was impressed by physical ability.
dgdfhfghgfhgfgffjhj 2 years ago
.... and George Harrison is chopped liver?
mapmanic 2 years ago 3
Ideally! :D
chrisuzwhite 2 years ago
George Harrison was the most musically talented of the Beatles... and therefore the most supressed.
Scrapheap71 2 years ago
If the whole band knows how to play each instrument...you have the makings for a GREAT band..they can show each other what they are thinking...if that makes since..
savemefrommyselves 2 years ago
not bad
steveKmoss 2 years ago
Pffft. All you drum players are forgetting that Penn is also a comedian of sorts.
mobako 2 years ago
you know so much about music, one day you may learn about how much you don't know just by not being a musician.
1revjay 2 years ago
You do know that Penn plays the bass, right?
zanarian11 2 years ago
wow, sad he doesn't understand then. Thanks for the insight. ew
1revjay 2 years ago
"...Jazz has the right guy on the right instrument, where rock and roll rarely has the right guy on the right instrument.."
My dad would happily agree :) Are drums really not considered an instrument? I've never thought it as anything but before..
~Kat
Luminasita 2 years ago
Penn, I usually love your videos, but please stop talking about musicians. Some of us do not enjoy the same genre of music as you. Granted, we all have and should celebrate different opinions; however, it is kind of getting repetitive. Just a thought.
gohoya 2 years ago
So because you don't like it you want to deprive everyone else who does? Don't you think that's a little selfish?
altoid2k4 2 years ago
Under normal circumstances, yes. But I think that after so many videos on the same topic, my opinion is warranted, and there are others out there who feel the same as I do.
gohoya 2 years ago
Yes, but you see that is the difference, you can choose to not watch the video, I can't choose to watch the video if it doesn't exist. Why would you want to deprive other people?
altoid2k4 2 years ago
drums, definitely an instrument. but i hearya, john did keep the songs together so to speak.
chipdspenser 2 years ago
WTF Penn, drums are an instrument!
imover18gotityube 2 years ago 3
Since the Beatles box set dropped everyone has been talking about the band, I for one think the Beatles were and are over rated.
rudenoodle 2 years ago
Oooh, and I suppose you're going to claim what a musical genius Michael Jackson was...
snore
Scrapheap71 2 years ago
off topic but i just saw the run dmc it's tricky video with penn n teller. i was like 4 when that came out.......
ANDERTHALRADIO 2 years ago
Drums not really an instrument?!?
IsThatEasy 2 years ago 2
I dunno what he was going with that, but if you go anywhere and search for percussive instruments, you'll most likely find drums.
t3hubern00b 2 years ago
your funny....
imdanhoover 2 years ago
Many great jazz musicians developed in late-night jam sessions and such. Quite a few in big bands too. There's still a lot of group development, Its just not necessarily the same group.
Take Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers for example.
Ormaaj 2 years ago
Ok, I aked it before, but I guess you can't answer. Either way i would like to know.
You gave everybody a little hint about what you think about LOVE, but have yet to comment on Cheap Trick doing Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Concert.
BTW they had Ian Ball singing "I am the Walrus" and he nailed it perfectly!!!!
jehjeh3712 2 years ago
Penn -Your opinion of the Beatles is like your magic!
A Fucking illusion!!!
Iracord 2 years ago
Penn's video essays are passionate and informed, but, having spent many years reading about the Beatles (and listening to their albums), I want to say a few things. Paul McCartney says he and Ringo worked very carefully coordinating the drumming with the bassline. George and Ringo both pointed out in interviews that John's timing drifted and George and Paul said in interviews that Ringo kept perfect time.
thurberdrawing 2 years ago 2
What are drums?
Gihaal 2 years ago
They hang between your legs. Hit them real hard with a hammer and they'll make music.
X-P
Scrapheap71 2 years ago
Jimmy Chamberlin!!!Thats a master of the drums!
sginblack 2 years ago
i like that song 'watching the wheels'..he might be be with us today, if he had ringos sense of humor.
InternetTzar 2 years ago
What are the Beatles??
culwin 2 years ago
Funny how the people saying "drums aren't a real instrument" usually can't play them themselves (beyond just simple beats of course).
I think one guy up-comments said that drums don't deserve any more credit than a metronome. lol what? The history of rock music from the late 60's to present bows down to the reality you're created in your head. :P
ezmorningrebel 2 years ago
Everyone who digs what Penn is saying should check out the band Phish. All 4 guys in Phish are masters of their instruments. Highly recommend Phish to everyone...
RustyCyler 2 years ago
thanks i'll check them out. i think penn said something along the lines of "the romantic ideal of rock is to form a band with your friends and getting into an instrument that isn't necessarily meant for you". to me that just means ideally, in rock your just having a good time and not worrying too much about instrument mastery, and that there are exceptions.
NorseRonin 2 years ago
Phish is a great reference, RC! I would go with their second album "Lawn Boy" as a first time listen :)
toastyplatters70 2 years ago
maybe he means 'drummer' as in 'Willy Loman'..i dont know.. but in the pocket? that'd be maceo parker...i dont think sonny rollins wore pants when he played.
InternetTzar 2 years ago
one time i played "imagine" on my great grandpas piano (who is an accomplished jazz musician) and he asked me who it was. when i said it was lennon he replied "now i know why they shot him". hahah it was pretty funny coming from an 88 year old man.
maggotbrain90 2 years ago
why didn't he just use a metronome? obviously there was a reason behind it. most drummers can't keep time perfectly throughout an entire song unless they use a metronome. i'm not a beetles fan but ringo is cool.
maggotbrain90 2 years ago
For examples of great bands in jazz, check out The Bad Plus and the late great Esbjorn Svensson Trio (EST). They really did develop their own unique sounds by playing in a band setting, which is less typical for jazz musicians, as PENN SAYS! :)
urbster1 2 years ago
it seemed to work for them
dragonflychainsaw 2 years ago
Penn has this weird almost autistic view of a drummer. It's not drifting. It's call "feel" and "groove." Ringo had it.
memnoker 2 years ago
If you wanna help take America back from the corporations, please watch my video to Michael Moore!
Yostiemonster 2 years ago
"Rock 'n' roll rarely has the right guy on the right instrument." -- Penn
Really? *Rarely*? How about: "usually, but not always"?
jkono29 2 years ago
way to be finnicky and stupid
errskin 2 years ago
Totally right about jazz, it really does require mastery.
DStroyU 2 years ago
I'm the illegitimate son of Ringo's ex-roommate's cousin's friend's nephew and I'm offended by what you said.
ArsSpiritia 2 years ago
Yeah I've seen bands where they tried to get expert musicians who've mastered specific instruments together and they just ...fail, for some reason. I don't know if it's the clashing egos or what, but as Penn said the best bands do tend to be formed by friendship.
OjikesShadow 2 years ago
Interesting video, but you said drums aren't really an instrument? Did I hear that right? The drums are the foundation, the drums are the original instrument.
Wolffanator 2 years ago 2
Drums aren't really an instrument? What?!
How the fuck do you figure that, Penn? Just because it's percussive rather than melodic, that doesn't mean it's not an instrument.
TomConger 2 years ago
beginning*
Hazard590 2 years ago
I would watch this but youtube sucks and puts ads in the begining
Hazard590 2 years ago
great video.
my favorite so far.
EscFwd 2 years ago
beatles suck!
vampzim 2 years ago
Now, have ever listened to them?
ronpaul101789 2 years ago
Oh yeah and the music you listen to is just awesome. Have you ever listened to them you prick?
ronpaul101789 2 years ago
YOU SUCK
itscrunk22 2 years ago
Sony killed Michael Jackson to clear the rights for releasing the remastered Beatles music as well as the new Beatles Rock Band series. Killing Jacko was a brilliant business move. If this comment is removed, then you'll know it's true.
planetdarwin 2 years ago
That, or Crackle thinks you're a fucking moron - which is kind of hard to argue.
rkm0001 2 years ago
HaHaHa....There are some mean ass goings on in the world man but, c'mon....Sony killed Jackson?....you tool
Omexoplex 2 years ago
drums..not really an instrument?? that, my friend, was a faux pas...otherwise good shit, interesting vid
lightmobile 2 years ago 4
Ya know, I was just thinking.."Penn would be a cool guy to have a beer with"...and then it occurred to me.."I'd never get a word in 'edge wise' anyway" :)
Omexoplex 2 years ago
Plus he doesn't drink... :)
FinkKid 2 years ago
You have no fucking idea what the fuck you are fucking talking about.
lnstrumentalist 2 years ago
@ ijokayou: Penn's fans likely *do* enjoy what he makes his videos about, myself included. It sounds like you're referring to the interests of fans of his magic show, which may vary from fans of the man himself. You imply that if he talked less about these things his show would improve through the addition of new material, but if he wasn't thinking and talking about these things he'd be a different person, meaning the show would be different as well and you probably wouldn't even be here.
Ass.
behnnie 2 years ago
I love how butthurt people get when someone says "Drums aren't really an instrument", or "it doesn't really take much musical talent to be a drummer."
Basically everyone involved in music agrees with that, and people who either play the drums, or don't actually know what they're talking about get all indignant and pretend to know more than they actually do.
The drummer is to the ruck band, as the metronome to the piano player.
Neither should really get a whole lot of credit.
hossrex 2 years ago 2
Drums are as much an instrument as guitar or piano.
treytrey3 2 years ago
I NEVER heard of a drummer coming up with a song unless he plays an instrument like piano or guitar. I don't see how a percussionist can come up with a tune.
Granted it is as hard to master. On the other hand you gotta have a sense of rhythm
crackmunch 2 years ago
Phil Collins ring a bell
JustinC721 2 years ago 2
So does Neil Peart.
Scrapheap71 2 years ago
Only Al Qaeda, Socialists, and Telemarketers hate the Beatles! KILL THEM ALL WITH A RUSTY SHOE!!
ajr5086 2 years ago 2
john ment pete best. ringos not the original drummer
darkstarwood 2 years ago
"Drums...not really an instrument."
What?
HexDemon666 2 years ago 3
In later songs Paul always put his bass on last. He took the Brian Wilson method of bass and expanded on it.
And while RIngo wasn't the greatest drummer, the Beatles weren't the same without him (See Pete Best and Jimmy Nicol)
cranie4 2 years ago
What do you mean when you say the drums are not really an instrument?
darkforestzero 2 years ago
I was having this conversation once. Metal is like an in between of the two thoughts; one person specializes, finds others, and they make a band. But of course, metal was invented by a Jazz guitarist (Tony Iommi)
JerkyChid 2 years ago
Penn's comments on the Beatles reminds me how I always saw the Who...John Entwhistle played lead (on bass), Moonie played the guitar-like solos and Pete held the shit down with his wonderful chords.....
(Disclaimer: ALL typos are to excused. I have a cast on my right arm...If you don't like it...pix off..Thank you and have a great day!)
cheappassion 2 years ago
The u2 ad was shit and I did not watch because of it! Facism is shit. I also her the spryaer plane in the backgroud...
qualisarx 2 years ago
Oh, u mad cuz he stylin' on ya?
crackyflipside 2 years ago
Too funny. I play guitar, used to play Lead in a band. After the band split up I got roped in to playing in another band...playing Bass this time. Rock n Roll man.
spudw2k 2 years ago
Meh I always thought Ringo was venerated because he would drift. Drifting is what makes their songs so memorable. If you sit down an instrumentalist and let them play with no backin drum or click, then you can really start to feel the instrument. There is a lot to be said for drifting in time.
It is much more noticable these days, however, with Pro Tools and its ilk where one can make any drum player perfect, literally perfect down to the milisecond.
Dejoblue 2 years ago
Penn your thoughts on Rush? They are better friends, better musicians, and no Yoko Ono can tear them apart.
MrDeppness 2 years ago
Iron Maiden is the same way. The "gut" of the songs are written and arranged by the Steve Harris, the bass player.
Morphis 2 years ago
i think he meant that drums arnt an instrument in the way that percussionists dont use scales and notes and stuff like a guitarist or pianist would
its more about timing, its like a creative metronome for the others in the band
thats just my opinion, i would still consider drums an instrument for sure tho
MoRgUe27 2 years ago
is there a smudge on the lens?
And the "drums aren't an instrument"? Err...ok... then what are the drums?
myargonauts 2 years ago
I think he might have meant not commonly an instrument in jazz.
JokeDeity2 2 years ago
It takes great skill be comic relief. comedy is hard, its either funny or its not, i mean you can bs drama not so much with comedy.
USBCORD11 2 years ago
Hm. I can't imagine John on drums.. though the beatles could've certainly done it as a trio I'm glad Ringo was there just to be Ringo. Who else could've done that cheesy drum solo at the end of Abby Road?
I disagree with George on base. I really like George's guitar playing, he had his own personal sound that brought something special. Paul could and did play all the instruments, he's as good on piano as base and his guitar picking on acoustic is the best. Paul is a genius, by far my favorite.
MaryOMackie 2 years ago
"And Ringo is comic relief..."
POOR RINGO, THE BUTT OF EVERY BEATLES JOKE. D:
thedancemetaltwins 2 years ago
Interesting analysis,
Thanks Penn!
MysteriousBarricades 2 years ago
did the same thing with the three stooges...been a subscriber for a few months and now im seeing the sales pitch patterns. its usually something sony is selling that he reviews for days...
still a great guy though, make your money penn.
mysticx0 2 years ago
Hes gotta feed his chitlins
K2Tanner 2 years ago
Well, it's not like he's selling shit products he doesn't believe in.
I know for a fact that Penn's been a long time fan of the stooges.
As for the Beatles, I don't remember him mentioning them specifically, but I'm pretty sure he has. Even if he hasn't, I'm sure he really does love their music.
Phoboskomboa 2 years ago
o yeah, i have no doubt that he is an actual fan of what he reviews. and im a huge fan of his, i dont want that twisted. the beatles are rightfully called legends because they are incredible and the stooges are untouchable in their work.
another example, he disses american idol in one "penn says" but puts over DWTS because they were on it...and guess which show sony is involved with.
im just saying these are moving away from penn's thoughts and more toward selling products.
mysticx0 2 years ago
It... doesn't really sound like he's selling it to anyone but himself. I highly doubt that there's someone in the back pushing money on him to make these statements. Just cause someone famous talks about something he enjoys the guys gotta be selling it? That's kind of ignorant. Just saying, isn't it more appropriate to assume the guy is just talking about something he likes in the absence of evidence?
malachitransfer 2 years ago
I agree. Having a guitarist who acts like a drummer and a bass player who acts like a guitarist, etc... Really does make for interesting music. Tool does this very well, but it never occurred to me to think of the Beatles in this way. :-)
EscpdFrmPsykward 2 years ago 3
You're absolutely right. Tool is just like that.
Havik385 2 years ago 3
HAHA RINGO IS COMIC RELIEF!
20lbsledge 2 years ago 3
did he say paul plays bass like me...HAHAHAHAHAHAHA ....i love penn who has an ego like that ......
dropdeadgregg 2 years ago
lol irony
lastrites84 2 years ago
Your e-rage. It makes me lol.
MetalGearFool 2 years ago
fuck you haters, if you don't like it don't watch
ViperRob42 2 years ago
I like Penn's vids, but he is very wrong about George's guitar playing. He was very innovative and much more talented than he is given credit for.
pretorious700 2 years ago 5
pretty much every rock and roll band I was ever in, everybody could play every instrument to a certain degree....it made in easy and fun to write stuff
pretorious700 2 years ago
Thats how most punk rock bands start. The only difference is, that most punk bands dont actually learn how to play untill about 5 records in. And lets all not forget a Mr. Les Claypool. He doesnt "know" how to play bass, he's self taught. But he's one of the greatest bass players of all time.
b3rtne 2 years ago 4
Well said Penn. Totally agree with your characterization of these guys. I love Paul's melodic basslines. Power to us bass players!
pyroseed13 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I'm unsubscribing. Enough of the god damn beatles! Idiots!
TheAmishking 2 years ago