Simon on Ringo Diss: Just Havin' a Laugh!

By PopEater Staff Posted Sep 11th 2009 11:37AM

Simon Cowell picked the wrong week to speak poorly of the Beatles. The 'American Idol' judge known for his unfiltered flapper said that if the Fab Four had taken part in his British talent show 'The X-Factor,' he would have rejected the poor blokes because of their drummer, Ringo Starr.

But now he tells RadarOnline.com he was just having a laugh, and meant no disrespect to the band, which has a video game and remastered LPs out this week. Simon eats crow, after the jump.

"Regarding my comments on the Beatles, it was a joke. I have always said they were the group I have always wished I had signed."

Cowell's original zing of the Beatles: "We'll take those three – Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison, but you'd probably have to lose the drummer. With Ringo around, I'm afraid we would have said 'bad news'."

He also cleared up a report alleging he declined signing the Spice Girls back in the day.

"In fact, I offered the girls a recording contract before they were signed and actually offered to double the offer they had on the table."

Watch Ringo Pummel the Skins on 'Long Tall Sally' ... CLASSIC >>

Tags: american idol, AmericanIdol, beatles, ringo starr, RingoStarr, simon cowell, SimonCowell, the beatles, TheBeatles

Comments

(54)

Friday 11 September

By NICK

Vote down Vote up Report this

SIMON COWELL NEED TO BE IGNORED BY AMERICANS.

THEN HE WILL GO AWAY.

HE IS RUDE, ARROGENT, NON-PROFESSIONAL, AND BESIDES HE IS QUEER.

OVERPAID WITH AMERICAN DOLLARS BRITISH TWIT!

By Fred

You can't be serious, can you? The BEATLES couldn't rest in peace if they wanted to. John and George will always be brought up as two of the GREATEST rock stars in the greatest rock band in rock 'n' roll history. But they were so much more than that. Paul and Ringo are still idolized by their older fans, middle aged fans and even teenagers and teeny boppers! The Beatles as a group will never die! What is your problem? They brought, and continue to bring, more hope, happiness and love to people of all generations throughout the world. And believe me, long after you and I are gone, THE BEATLES will still be alive with their music playing in all parts of the world! And what is wrong with that? When things get bad and people are down, just listen to a Beatles song and your mood will change for the better. Maybe the Beatles were put on earth by GOD to soothe us through trying times. Geez, don't speak against them because you make yourself look like a bitter old fool (on the hill?) Enjoy the BEATLES! If you don't you really don't know what you're missing. Thank God for The Beatles!!!!

By Steve

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

If you mention the names of John, Paul George and Ringo I would bet that almost everyone you ask would know that you were referring to The Beatles. I'm wondering if in the year 2049 you mention the names of Simon, Randy, Paula and Cara would anyone know you were referring to the judges on American Idol?
Get a life Simon, you're a footnote in the annals of history. Ringo Starr and the rest of The Beatles are history!

By srsnakes

What's a limey doing on AMERICAN Idol anyway?

Chris, Charlie Watts is 82 and still keeps perfect time. He was the steady backbeat that enabled Keith and Mick to get where they are today.

Saturday 12 September

By BeatleFan4Ever

Chris are you the weak link in YOUR band? Geez where so you people get these ideas. Charlie Watts is 69 not 82....Gawd!

By mcrforeverr

simon is just losing his mine since paula left american idol. dont worry simon... u can go on!

By kyleb

Rubin Studdard has Star Power???????? Where??? what???? How????? I haven't seen it. He can't carry a tune.
black people like him because he is black. that's how he sells records, it isn't talent?

Hey You Guys,
Simon said he was joking and if you can add and subtract, you know he was. My mom said the Beatles came to the US as stars when she was 5 years old. Simon is was about 8 year old then. Now unless he was a child genius, he couldn't have signed the Beatles because they were already stars when Simon was 8 years old.

By pat ratchet

ringo rules! there were other tracks he did not appear, though. several on the white album."got to get you into my life" featured the inimitable bernard purdie, the master of melodic drumming.
he did a great ringo imitation on it!

starr's style always fit the song, understated it, allowing the other beatles to shine, in short he did what good drummers should: Make THE BAND sound better!

i reject the entire premise that ringo's beats were simple. Try playing them! His fills were deceptively simple, as a leftie on a right kit, his fills have that "off" sound that somehow is just RIght. That's called being a natural.

he was the only beatle to appear on all the other beatles solo albums! why would they choose him
when they could have hired the best in the biz?
it's called chemistry, and pure talent my friends.

some great ringo trax;
IN MY LIFE- the drumming makes the track in the middle eights, with the best sounding snare crack
on any sixties song by anyone

WAIT, with it's wild flourish into every chorus

TICKET TO RIDE, distinctive time changes that still
maintain an even pulse throughout, just genius

another great example of that is MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR, where he drops into half time giving the impression that the song has slowed down, then
seamlessly brings it back up [all within 4 bars!], like a train getting up to speed. Brilliant drumming!
i could go on and on, but ringo has the respect of Musical drummers everywhere,case closed!

By whatever

simon is a well know ignorant fool..he has no talent..therefore, he is no judge. Plus he's an idiot and crass...Ringo Starr has more class and talent than Simon will ever have..please cancel that ridiculous show..who cares if america has talent? we have so many other issues to deal with

By Jim

I think Ringo sleeps well at night. I think it was George Martin who actually selected Ringo. Let's see George Martin, Simon Cowell, hmmmmm...No contest..

By Hana

My favorite drumming of any Rock'n'Roll song is "Rain" by the Beatles

By J. Golden, Jr.

Kidding or not it's just one more untalented individual with an uninformed comment. There is not one TRUE musician who does not recognize Ringo's talent and contribution to The Beatles music. Ringo's breaks and fills are imaginative and if played as he played them very difficult to execute.Try playing the fill leading into the chorus of HELP! as he did. Very hard without alot of practice. Music lovers get it.

Page 3 of 3