RINGO - EVERYBODY'S *SECOND* FAVOURITE BEATLE? | Fab Forum | The Beatles Bible

I know this has been – partly – covered in other threads; but  thought it would not hurt to put up a new one here, just for this specific question?

In an interview, Ringo once opined – in his usual direct and uncomplicated way: “If you didn’t like Elvis, that was that” [The Beatles were often being compared, in the heyday of Beatlemania, for reason of sheer popularity, with Elvis Presley in the 1950s.  There were even some who sought to compare them, in the same regard, to the popularity of Frank Sinatra, even earlier, in the 1940s].  “But there’s four of us” Ringo continued – stating the obvious, yes, as he sometimes did, in his characterisitically engaging way “So, everyone can have their favourite Beatle.” – as, of course, they did.  In almost any poll, such as were ever conducted, Paul was always, of course, way out ahead.  George would come in very much behind as number one favourite with less fans, and John well behind even George.  But Ringo? 

“If you had a poll as to who was your favourite Beatle, I probably wouldn’t win” he continued; but with no sense of resentment or jealousy in his words here (he was right of course): “But, if you had a poll as to who was everybody’s second favourite Beatle, I’d probably come top!”.  I think he may have been right here too.  Paul’s devoted fans would probably not have placed Geroge high as a (rival?) second; George’s most devoted fans would probably not have placed (rival!?) Paul second here.  And John’s little cadre of fans from those days?  Well, I’m not sure – but most probably not either Paul or George as their second choice.  This even though, of course, these would all have been true fans, needless to say, of the whole group as well.  But I think Ringo was probably spot on here!  What was to NOT like about ‘good old steady regular and reliable sentimental old Ringo’?  Do others agree here?