It was 48 years ago that Ringo played with the Beatles at Christchurch's Majestic theatre on a wintery June evening in 1964.

Love him or loathe him you have to admit the guy can hold down one of the best beats in the business. Think of that opening shot for the movie Help, that close up of him banging away on the tubs - brilliant. But my favourite drumming by Ringo is found on George's song Here Comes the Sun - gets me everytime.

Ringo's a Renaissance man these days, using the computer to produce artworks which can be viewed here. And the generous man donates ALL of his proceeds from sales to the Lotus Foundation Charity who offer financial aid and assistance to facilitate family and child welfare, women's issues, animal protection, and addiction recovery and education.

One of the highlights of a visit to the Met in New York some years back was seeing Ringo's Ludwig snare drum - it held my interest just as much as a room full of Rembrandt's and Dou's.

and here is a great account of a Tall Dwarf meeting a Beatle at Hanmer Springs.

Hello, Mr. Harrison;
I was just having coffee with my Mum.
Sorry to interrupt you and your wife--
I wondered if I could have your autograph

Meet the Beatle (x4)

It's funny, 'cause when I was five,
I waited for you to go by our drive.
And I know that guys like me are a drag--
You must have had it up to here with fans.

Meet the Beatle (x4)

So much of our lives just seem unreal
The way we are, and how we feel
I guess it's the same through the eyes
Of bigger people with bigger lives.

Meet the Beatle (x4)

Alec Bathgate, 'Meet the Beatle' from the Tall Dwarfs' album Sky Above Mud Below (2003)