Why George Martin’s Doubt in Ringo Starr Led to a Feud That Lasted for Years

In 1962, The Beatles had the opportunity to work with the highly talented and revered music producer George Martin. At first, Martin didn’t view the collaboration as particularly promising. However, that would of course change, as The Beatles were the most successful and lucrative band George Martin ever produced. Regardless, what seemingly took the wind out of Martin’s sails was The Beatles’ drumming roster. At first, he didn’t like Pete Best, and when The Beatles replaced him with Ringo Starr, well… Martin didn’t like him either.

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When Martin requested that The Beatles replace Pete Best and find a replacement, he had already gone and booked session drummer Andy White, in case they couldn’t come up with a sufficient replacement in time. Subsequently, The Beatles discovered Ringo Starr, and they wanted him to play drums on the recording of “Love Me Do”. However, unsatisfied with Starr’s drumming, Martin insisted that he sit out and let White sit in. With no surprise, this decision would ultimately lead to a lengthy feud between George Martin and Ringo Starr.

How George Martin Insulted Ringo Starr

Nobody ever wants to get benched. In sports, music, and any endeavor, getting replaced by someone else is one of the most insulting and degrading things that can transpire. This is what happened to Starr, and consequently, he held a lot of disdain for George Martin in the years following that decision.

Concerning Martin’s decision, Starr recalled in The Beatles Anthology, “I was devastated that George Martin had his doubts about me.” “I came ready to roll and heard, ‘We’ve got a professional drummer.’ [White] has apologised several times since, has old George, but it was devastating — I hated the bugger for years; I still don’t let him off the hook,” added Ringo Starr.

Further recalling the decision, Paul McCartney chimed in by stating, “I don’t think Ringo ever got over that. He had to go back up to Liverpool, and everyone asked, ‘How did it go in the Smoke?’ He’d say, ‘B side’s good,’ but Ringo couldn’t admit to liking the A side, not being on it.”

One could only imagine what Starr was thinking in these moments. Though, he likely believed that his time with The Beatles was going to start and end in that moment. Evidently, it did not, and Starr and Martin seemingly buried the hatchet after working together for years.

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