Graduates, Lend me your ears and I’ll sing you a song — very off key.

Dear seniors, here’s one more class – a history lesson of sorts. You stand at the edge of a great beginning. With the best beginnings, we often learn from the past, even the history of rock music.

The Beatles – Google them.

Four lads from Liverpool who invaded America with four haircuts, three guitars, two drum sticks and a word I involuntarily whisper quite often, “Help.”

Who is your favorite Beatle? My neighbor, Judson Knight wrote an anthology on the band. If you want to study up on that question, I’ll loan you my copy.

John, Paul, George were terribly talented, but my favorite is Ringo. Many maligned Ringo saying, “He was the luckiest man in show business.” I think that fallacy. For a child with severe health issues raised in poverty to become part of an ensemble that changed history, more than luck was involved. In Ringo, there lies a great lesson.

It Don’t Come Easy. Download that song, pull out your parents’ CD or spin your grandparents’ vinyl. The lyrics Ringo wrote advise…“Got to pay your dues, if you want to sing the blues and you know it don’t come easy.” It’s not the easiest market to get a job. If opportunity finds you, work hard and don’t get hung up on being “dissed.” Musicians love to badmouth drummers. “What’s the best way to confuse a drummer?”

Put a sheet of music in front of him.

Sweep floors to get your foot in the door. Once in the band become the indispensable support. Come up with creative fills to keep the melody going. Always look that chance to step in and show what you can do. Ringo was not the first choice to replace Pete Best when the original drummer was asked to step down. But when the break appeared, he was ready.

Drummers hold the heartbeat. Rhythm pours from their soul through their hands. Ringo felt music rather than play it. What do you feel? Many people spend their entire life striking the drumhead – day in and day out — without knowing why. Don’t wait 80 years. Find your heartbeat now.

Collaborate and give others credit. On “It Don’t Come Easy” Ringo admitted that George Harrison co-wrote the song. It’s not easy to shift the spotlight to another talent. Be secure in what you do well. If you write great hooks, do that better than anyone. Check your ego at the door. Be the glue that held The Beatles together.

“What do you call a beautiful woman on a drummer’s arm?

A tattoo.

Nonsense. Be yourself. Nothing is more magnetic than confidence. Dissected piece-by-piece Ringo wasn’t the best looking chap but people fell in love with the whole package. And so did Barbara Bach, a Bond girl (Google her), who has been on his arm for 29 years.

“What do you call a drummer with a credit card?”

Married.

“I didn’t play drums to become rich and famous.” Ringo remembered, “I did it because it was the love of my life.” Find what you love to do.

By discovering your passion, the rhythm naturally flows. What fun would ease and comfort be? Overcoming obstacles is the adventure in life. Just like a left-hander from across the pond playing a right-handed drum set, all you got to do is act naturally.