In 1962, Ringo Starr played one song. Paul McCartney called it the real beginning of The Beatles

Paul McCartney recalled that Ringo Starr’s performance on “What’d I Say” was the moment The Beatles recognised how well he fitted the band. Starr had recently replaced Pete Best, and McCartney said the group’s reaction to hearing him nail the challenging drum part marked “the beginning” of The Beatles.

The article argues that Starr’s feel and musical chemistry mattered more than technical showmanship, helping give the band its distinctive rhythm. It contrasts his playing with Best’s, while acknowledging Best’s role in the group’s early development, and notes that Starr later broadened his studio work with varied percussion and changes to his drum kit.