I have to go with experience on this one. My cover band has worked with six different "actual" drummers, and several fill-ins on more or less the same set list over four years.
Most of them have managed a lot of various John Bonham, Joey Kramer, Bun E Carlos, Mitch Mitchell and Nick Mason parts with either relative ease, or a bit of work, but every single one of them has had a much harder time nailing Ringo's parts on:
- Don't Let me Down
- Yer Blues (lots of time changes!)
- While my Guitar Gently Weeps
Ringo had a completely different part, and distinctive style on each one of those, and many other Beatles songs. He was absolutely a BRILLIANT drummer, and played with an excellent feel, and had an instinct for the material. He made songs BETTER with his drumming ability, and was probably one of the all time great drummers.
When Lennon said, "Ringo's not even the best drummer in the Beatles," he was half-joking. Lennon was a joker. I don't know why people don't get that.
Ringo wasn't a TECHNICAL drummer. He had trouble rolling across the toms, because he played backwards, being left handed but set up for right handed. He had some interesting deficiencies, technically speaking, but he more than made up for them in creativity and style. And he was rock-solid; every bit as solid as any drummer you can name.
As soon as someone starts telling me how "bad" Ringo is, all they've done is proven to me that they either haven't really listened to the drums on Beatles songs, (and I mean right back to the early stuff,) or that they are completely ignorant about rock drumming.
Could Ringo play in Rush?
Hell no.
Could Neil Peart play in the Beatles?
Not a chance.
Ringo's drum contributions are singularly unique, and stand up very well over the test of time. He will be famous forever.