Dad's little drummer girl

Elliot Finn lays down the beat for her father Tim. Photo / Greg Bowker

Her dad is one of New Zealand's most successful recording artists, but Elliot Finn, 6, is following another musical superstar.

Mum Marie Finn said Elliot - who was yesterday accompanying her father Tim at the Vauxhall School fair in Devonport - had been in love with Ringo Starr since she saw the Beatles drummer in the movie Help! Since then she had wanted to copy Ringo's hair, hats and drumming style.

But the young drummer, who rehearses Beatles songs with her father and older brother Harper in the family's music room, is not strictly loyal to Ringo. She also likes Meg White, the female drummer of rock duo the White Stripes.

Marie said Elliot had proved a dependable band member yesterday, staying calm and focused while her Dad sang on stage. She had been accompanying her father at home since he bought her the drum kit at Christmas. It was too early to say whether her daughter or 11-year-old Harper, a talented singer, would follow their father Tim, Uncle Neil and cousin Liam into the music business.

"We don't want it to be too formal for her, it's just fun for her at the moment."