How one session drummer became the secret weapon for three different former Beatles

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Jim Keltner is widely considered the premier session drummer in American music history. From the psychedelic era to the peak of the singer-songwriter movement, his deceptively simple, precise style defined the sound of countless classic records. He remains the only drummer to have worked extensively with three different former Beatles.

Born in 1942, Jim Keltner initially pursued jazz, but the mid-1960s pop and rock explosion provided his entry into the Los Angeles recording scene. His early career was a struggle; he relied on his wife’s support until he secured consistent session work toward the end of the decade. By the 1970s, he had become an indispensable rhythmic force, contributing to iconic albums like John Lennon’s Imagine and George Harrison’s The Concert for Bangladesh.

Keltner’s relationship with the Beatles was unique. While Paul McCartney famously avoided working with him, Harrison and Ringo Starr leaned into the connection, even using the 'Jim Keltner Fan Club' as a recurring joke on their 1973 albums to mock McCartney. Beyond the Beatles, Keltner’s versatility allowed him to thrive across genres, from the R&B-inflected tracks of Steely Dan to the folk-rock of Bob Dylan. He famously wept during the recording of Dylan’s 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door,' calling it a monumental moment in his career.

His technical approach is defined by a casual, loose feel paired with extreme precision, an aesthetic that influenced legendary drummers like Jeff Porcaro. Whether playing a standard kit or overdubbing a modified garbage can lid for Steely Dan’s 'Josie,' Keltner’s creative problem-solving made him a go-to collaborator for artists ranging from Ry Cooder to the Traveling Wilburys. His career spans decades, encompassing everything from 1970s pop hits like 'Dream Weaver' to posthumous work on Harrison’s final album, Brainwashed.

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