Jimmy Nichol: Temporary Beatle
by David Haber, Beatles Webmaster
In June 1964, the Beatles were to tour Scandanavia, Holland, the Far East and Australia. But on June 3, the day before the tour, Ringo collapsed at an early morning photo session for the Saturday Evening Post at a portrait studio in Barnes, London. He had a 102-degree fever and tonsilitis and was rushed to the hospital.
While having his tonsils out in London, he was temporarily replaced for the Denmark and Holland concert dates by shy 24-year-old session drummer Jimmy Nicol. Beatles producer George Martin suggested Jimmy because he had recently recorded at EMI with Tommy Quickly and he'd also recently become familiar with Beatles numbers while drumming on a recording session for an album called Beatlemania.
At first, George Harrison didn't want Ringo to be replaced and refused to go on the tour without him, but Brian and George Martin convinced him. Paul thought he was okay for the tour, but that the fans would definately know the difference if he recorded with them. And Brian thought it was a good choice because he thought he "looked like a Beatle".
Jimmy was interviewed in 1987 about his time with the Beatles, and it offers some very rare and interesting insights into a side of the Beatles very few if any other people ever saw:
Interviewer: Why haven't you written a book about your time with the Beatles?
Nicol: Anyone can write a book about someone who is famous that they met or knew. There is so much trash written about the Beatles and not one shows their good side. I guess I could very well write a book. Lord knows, I could use the money. I guess I really don't know. I think maybe my angle is not strong enough.
I: What did you think of Ringo Starr when you first heard and saw him drumming?
N: I thought he was good, innovative and all. By that time, I was getting pretty good at the traps, and Ringo was making the drums an interesting instrument for all aspiring musicians. But what I liked most about Ringo is that he was probably the first drummer known by name. He is also the first drummer to have girls cry their eyes out to get a touch of. Another thing, musically I mean, that I liked was his style of rim shots on the snare then onto the shell to-turn. In "Ticket To Ride", he used it as an accent of George's chords and in "She Loves You", he used it as a lead-in to the bridge. He was different. I loved how he used to attack the hi-hat instead of just pussy-footing about with them.
I: What were you doing just before that phone call which put you in the limelight as the newest Beatle?
N: I was playing around in a small band [the Shubdubs] and in the studio wherever I was needed. I was actually making money as a drummer, something many were not doing... Brian called me and I went down to his office. I nearly shit in me pants when he told me he wanted me to play for the Beatles in place of Ringo, at least until he was well enough to rejoin the group somewhere in the tour. I was truly shocked by it all...
Brian ... asked me if I had practiced with any of the Beatles hits and I said I had. It was 1964 and the Beatles had so many hits but they had a hell of a lot of good album songs as well.
I: You speak of the Beatles with almost a reverent tone. Why?
N: I am not alone, am I? There is just a feeling I get when I hear their songs. Not just because I played with them but that like millions of other fans, it was part of my... life. Me dad listened to Frank Sinatra and I listened to the Beatles. Both have stood the test of time.
I: What happened then?
N: Well, Brian had all of the Beatles--with the exception of Ringo who was already in the hospital getting the swelling down in his throat from his inflamed tonsils--in an outer office. In a passing motion, he waved them in to meet me. I was floored. The Beatles were actually there to meet me! Me mind was blown. I would have played for free for as long as they needed me. I shook all their hands and blurted out tones of admiration that I think made them embarrassed. They were very nice.
When Brian talked of money in front of them, I got very, very nervous. They paid me 2,500 pounds per gig and a 2,500 pounds signing bonus. Now, that floored me. When John spoke up in a protest by saying "Good God, Brian, you'll make the chap crazy!", I thought it was over. But no sooner had he said that when he said, "Give him 10,000!" Everyone laughed and I felt a hell of a lot better. That night I couldn't sleep a wink. I was a f---ing Beatle!
I: When did the real change start for you?
N: When a wardrobe lady came over to me flat and a hairdresser cut me hair in a mop-top. In the mirror, I cut a mean figure as the new Beatle. I was on top of the music world, for sure.
I: How did the Beatles treat you?
N: Fantastic. Even Ringo kidded me when they took me over to introduce me as his replacement. There were a lot of jokes over that scene. John was super nice as well as Paul and George, with George being about as nervous as I of the tour.