Jimmie Nicol

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Jimmie Nicol is an English drummer who became known for an exceptionally short job: in June 1964 he replaced Ringo Starr in the Beatles. He was born in 1939 and began his career in 1957, when the impresario Larry Parnes discovered him while he was drumming at the 2i's Coffee Bar in London. He played in various bands and in 1964 founded the Shubdubs, a jazz group in the vein of Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames.

Music and breakthrough

On 3 June 1964, the day before the Beatles were due to begin their tour of Australasia, Starr was admitted to hospital with tonsillitis. Manager Brian Epstein and producer George Martin quickly looked for a replacement. Martin suggested Nicol, whom he had used shortly before at a recording session. George Harrison at first did not want to tour without Starr. Nicol was given a trial session at Abbey Road, a Beatle haircut and an altered suit of Starr's. He gave his first concert less than a day later, in Copenhagen, for 4,500 fans. In all he played eight concerts, until Starr returned on 14 June in Melbourne. He received a cheque for 500 pounds and a gold watch.

Influence

After that the attention paid to him quickly faded. In 1965 he went bankrupt. He played with, among others, the Spotnicks and in Mexico and left music in 1975 to become an entrepreneur. His story shows how big Beatlemania was in 1964: the group remained in demand, even with an unknown drummer.

Listening