The Beatles fans are still wondering whether Ringo Starr played drums on The White Album song Dear Prudence.
A theory over Starr having left the band at the time of recording for Dear Prudence has been circulated by fans of the band. A post to r/Beatles on Reddit suggested Starr may not have performed on the track, suggesting he was instead in Sardinia at the time. The post reads: “Of course we all know the story: Ringo leaves the White Album sessions in a huff and goes to Sardinia, leaving Paul to record the drums on Back In The USSR and Dear Prudence. But does anyone else think the last minute or so is far too good to be Paul drumming?
“On top of that, surely it’s Ringo singing ’round, round, round,’ at 1:48. What do we think?” Fans have since suggested Dear Prudence is the reason Beatles fans and the band joke Starr is not the best drummer in the band. One user wrote: “Dear Prudence is one of the reasons for the meme/joke that Ringo wasn’t even the best drummer in the Beatles.
“While I’m not saying whether Paul was or wasn’t a better drummer than Ringo, he certainly could carry his own behind the drumkit. His solo albums McCartney, Band on the Run, McCartney II, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard, and McCartney III also showcase McCartney’s drumming skills.”
Another added: “It’s definitely Paul on drums… and this isn’t a knock at him, but he’s a bit sloppy towards the end of the song if you listen closely (he even misses a beat or two before the coda if I remember correctly).
“His drumming gets better as his solo career takes off, but in The Beatles it’s merely adequate and doesn’t hold a candle to Ringo’s legacy.” A third added: “Agreed! Paul is an incredible musician. But, he plays drums like a bass play would play drums. Certainly serviceable, but a bit stiff and unimaginative.
“I don’t know if Paul could be the glue on a song like Here Comes The Sun like Ringo, for example. his work on that song SOUNDS simple, but he’s tying the sections together with his fills.”
Whether Starr missed the recording sessions is still up in the air, but some believe McCartney was the man on the kit for Dear Prudence. One user disagreed, adding: “Personally, I think it just makes a good story. Ringo leaves, Paul plays drums until halfway through Prudence where Ringo comes back and the song explodes with joy until the end. It’s romantic in a way.”
Another countered: “It is Paul all the way through. Paul is a good drummer, and this is coming from a drummer. But Ringo is obviously great too, and I think Ringo’s feel is what makes him great. Laid back, groovy and reliable. Even in the faster/crazier songs, there is a calmness behind it. It’s a big reason to why the Beatles makes you feel good and happy.”
