The Beatles and Pete Best

[Billy20801]

I've heard in a lot of places of a guy named Pete Best who was the original drummer for the Beatles but was soon fired and replaced with Ringo. Does anyone know what caused this split? Thanks!

[Jimmy1104]

Pete Best never really knew why he was cut from the Beatles. Any other speculation would be just that, speculation. I suggest you read this interview with Pete Best done in 2000. Pete Best Talks

As a side note - Did you know that Pete's mother was responsible for booking the Beatles first gig at the now infamous Cavern Club.

[beatleant]

It's been mentioned numerous times. George Martin (producer) felt Pete's drumming wasn't up to par and told the other lads to find a replacement. Even for their first tune (Love Me Do), George Martin brought in a session player (Andy White). There were two versions recorded - one with Ringo and the other Andy (with Ringo on tambourine). The former version was released for the first singles and the latter is the version on the album AND later issued singles.

Also, Andy played drums on 'P.S. I Love You' (w/Ringo on maracas).

I have also read somewhere (could of been at bookstore or possibly here at home - can't recall what and where the source) that Paul was a bit envious over Pete's looks. In summary, Pete was the better looking of the lads and would of got all the girls (and attention) and so, Paul didn't want him in the band.

[Danielj]

A friend Of mine saw Pete Best in concert and after the show asked him why he split. His answer

"We were'nt getting along well at the time"

I've also read that when Best was sick, Ringo would step in. They grew to like Ringo more than Pete...... so they fired him.

[Jugband_Blues]

yah, i've heard that the other group members were getting less attention because pete was a, "sex icon," but that his drumming skills were not top quality either.

[Billy20801]

Thanks a lot everybody, all of these sound like legitimate reasons. I guess we should be glad he did get fired...else we never would've discovered the future Conductor on "Shining Time Station" with Thomas the Tank Engine.

...No one else remembers that?

[edna]

Anyway, the Cavern was owned by Pete´s mother and there´s where the Beatles became local heroes. I guess that Parlophone just didn´t need the Cavern anymore after the big discovery...

[lotsahits]

Actually, Pete's mother didn't own the Cavern. She did, however, own the Casbah, where the Beatles got early bookings thanks to her handsome son being the drummer at the time. It was actually in a home (hers) in Liverpool and is well documented in the Beatles Anthology series.

[edna]

Yes, you´re right, I´m growing old...!

[Charlie Clown]

I was talking to someone a couple of weeks back who told me that later in their careers the Beatles actually gave Pete Best a substantial payback by way of compensation/apology. Not sure how true that is.

He tours with his own band a lot these days as well.

[Jimmy1104]

the Beatles actually gave Pete Best a substantial payback by way of compensation/apology

I posted a site above which is a Q & A with Pete Best. What I get from that session is Pete Best was not compensated until ten songs he played on were added to the Anthology 1 CD. Hit the link in my post above for a review of that Q & A session.