“Ringo listened very carefully to what was happening on any song in progress. … He was critical, in the same way that I could be critical of what the others were doing and not afraid to voice that criticism. He would suddenly say to John, “John, that’s crap,” whereupon John would look up over his glasses and murmur, “Oh really,” and change it. Either that, or he’d make a rude remark back and then change whatever it was the Ringo had picked up on. Paul also took a great deal of notice of what Ringo said. He was a very effective guide, musically speaking; he had a good ear. Although he might not have always had that much to do, you could never forget that he was a major part of the group.”

— George Martin, Summer of Love (1994)