The Rise And Fall Of Pete Best (The Beatles)
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- The Rise And Fall Of Pete Best (The Beatles)
#thebeatles #petebest #casbahclub
An overview of Pete Best's tenure with the Beatles from 1960 to 1962. From his entry into the band to his sackign by Brian Epstein and then what he did after the Beatles.
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I’ve grown quite fond of Pete, and while Ringo was definitely the best (no pun intended) fit for the Beatles without Pete there would never have been a Beatles. It’s a shame that the other 3 never spoke to him and it’d be great if Paul or Ringo could reach out to him on a personal level. They’ve nothing to lose
Absolutely. Re: Paul reaching out. I don’t know his personal circumstances of course but I’ve always perceived him to let the past go. Wasn’t it only a short time before Denny Laine’s death that it was reported that they’d recently been in touch with each other?
I think they liked Ringo better and felt he was a better fit. They used him as a stepping stone to get to Hamburg. Not saying it was right what they did, but in the end Ringo was the one to complete the band.
Ringo did seem to fit in with the other three even as early as the Hamburg days. I’ve read that Pete didn’t engage with them or socialise and was perhaps not on their level - with regards to humour perhaps?
Yes
They hired Pete to go to Germany the next day because no other drummer would play with them. Pete Best paved the way for Ringo Starr.
And if I recall, he had a drum kit!
Great sum up of Pete Best, fascinating that Pete may have played more live gigs with the Beatles than Ringo. At least he was actually a Beatle for a little while - something we can only dream of....
Yeah that fact amazed me when I found it out so I had to include it in the video. Kid of makes sense when you think about it 👍
Thanks for this Tudor. I really enjoyed your review. Great credit to Pete Best for being loyal to the Beatles over the past decades . He could for sure made a lot of money bad mouthing them. Great now that he is glowing now from early Beatle times and able to talk happily and positively about his time with the band…
Would be great if you could visit Liverpool to feature the Casbah and the Beatles Museum Pete and his family have created.
I also believe Neil Aspinal married Pete’s Mum ? ….. Neil is another important part of Beatle history that deserves credit….
Thanks Again Tudor….
If Best’s drumming wasn’t so poor, he would easily have been sucked up by another up & coming band due to his Beatle connected fame alone, but no one was biting for good reason, that being the fact that he sucked on his instrument, couldn’t even keep a steady beat.
Thanks Tudor. Amazing stat that Pete probably played more live with the Beatles than Ringo!
I’ve nothing but respect for Pete Best - rebuilding his life, working 9-5 as a top civil Servant, raising a family. Many would have “gone under” Good to hear he at last received some royalties.
He achieved his own success and a place in music history!
The big problem with much of established Beatles lore is that there is no way of separating the fact from the fiction. There are so many conflicting stories even among the members of the band that they can't possibly all be correct. Lennon was a king at contradicting his own self from interview to interview.
It's worth taking a look at David Bedford's videos about the "sacking" of Pete. He covers lots of details about the legal side of it.
I'll check it out 👍
Ringo was necessarily a better drummer than Pete, and that wasn't just George Martin's opinion. This was noticed by three other music professionals, and their experience made it clear that they would've to replace the drummer if they wanted to stay in business from any point of 1962 on - or use a studio musician for the records, keeping Pete only for the live performances. By Lennon and Harrison, Pete was doomed to be kicked out as soon as they found the right guy. George was conspiring to bring Ring in, and Lennon said in an interview that they were "pretty sick of Pete". Even though he was a hard worker as they were, Best was never good enough. First, he failed to impress Polydor German producer Bert Kaempfert during their very first recording session as The Beatles, in Hamburg, 1961. Kaempfert forced Pete to play with half the kit, just snare, hi-hat and cymbal, removing the toms and the bass drum, that's why they sound so raw on Tony Sheridan's My Bonnie single. Then they had that bad audition at Decca, in January 1962. Years later, sound engineer Mike Savage stated that if Decca had signed a contract, the studio wouldn't have used Pete as a drummer. Now this feedback cannot be that truthful, since it was said when Beatles were great and Decca had turned them down. However, still in 1962, they had a rehearsal at the EMI studio under the supervision of George Martin's assistant, Ron Richards. Regarding that session, Richards commented to Martin that the Beatles' drummer was "useless" (his word). Finally, after the second EMI session, the Beates faced George Martin's infamous verdict. Listening to that Love me do recording it's obvious that Pete had trouble keeping the tempo, and that he could only beat the bars and not much else. That was the end of the road for Pete. So many negative criticisms against your drumming from so many important players in this game would be more than enough for any band to deal with. They had to make a decision, and they just did it. For all the best reasons, Ringo proved to be better than Pete. He was the right guy for the Beatles.
George Martin said you can do what you want him live but u can’t use him in the studio. Now the other members may have said well we don’t want several drummers. Also Ringo they may have liked better.
That's true. And Ringo was already part of the fabric since the Hurricanes were on the circuit at the same time, so John, Paul & George were already aware of Ringo. It's not like they plucked him out of thin air. I like George Harrison's take on it where he said that Ringo was always part of the story, it's just that he came in at a different chapter.
@@TudorSmithRingo was NEVER the first choice to replace Pete. Three other drummers were asked to join: 2 before Ringo was approached and 1 after they had spoken to him.
At the time Ringo had a residency at Butlins with Rory Storm and The Hurricanes and only joined The Beatles b'cos they offered more money. £25 a week from memory.
Hi Tudor. Just watched and listened to you discussing the time that drummer Pete Best spent with the Beatles. I did not know very much about him. Sadly things did not turn out the way he would have liked or for the rest of the Beatles. Very informative and attention to detail. Thanks.
It’s a funny thing. Would the Beatles have made it with Pete Best? Many suggest Ringo wasn’t a good drummer. I personally disagree but when you think how important Ringo became as one of the Fab Four it makes sense that he would be the correct choice.
Lennon actually said that Pete best was hired because they needed a drummer for Hamburg. But he was only an average drummer. Why they got rid of him. See the Lennon video on UA-cam
I stumbled onto your site doing some Mystery Tour searches. I've enjoyed many of your vids. Thank you, for putting forth much effort in creating them for the enjoyment of others.
These personnel changes are easily understood. Particularly, if one has played in bands in their lifetime. It's not unusual to replace folks for a multitude of reasons. Recall, the Beatles themselves weren't very good (experienced) until the Hamburg sets made them well rehearsed. I would wager Best's removal it's a multifaceted decision.
Indeed, Best had considerable meter issues, and is shown to be a 'one trick pony' as evidenced on recordings. As mentioned here, he didn't improve and evolve like the others.
Moreover, its well documented that his mother (Mona Best) meddled in band affairs and was a nuisance to Epstein. This is underscored by that famous television interview (following The Beatles' rise) where incredibly, Pete has his mom answering most of the questions and speaking on his behalf. That alone, speaks volumes. Can you imagine any other Beatle showing up with a parent to gripe on their behalf during a television interview?!
All that said, Pete Best was a Beatle for two years, and he has that legacy. Recent interviews depict, he moved on with his life. And, has placed his time in the band in perspective.
Another great video Tudor. Whatever is said, Pete best played an important part in the early beatles history. Although it must have been hard seeing the beatles dominate the music world. He,s not done too bad since. Also the casbah is great place to visit, i spent a very enjoyable couple of hours there with Rory best. All the best Tudor, looking forward to your next video. Kev chatterley.
Cheers Kev. Yeah I really must visit the Casbah next time I’m up there!
After all, one has to admit that Pete Best has grown in to a decent an wise man over the years. He didnt get to experience the crazy Beatlemania ( Which anyway wasn't something the others enjoyed much either). But he's got his humble part of the fame and fortune and seems to be well off in the end.
Thanks for another great video, Mr. Smith. I just came back from a dream vacation of a lifetime, covering Beatles destinations in England, Liverpool, and Henley. We did a tour of The Casbah (at the suggestion of Roag Best, whom we met at the Beatles Museum), and it was absolutely amazing--one of the high points of the trip! Roag's son gave us a very exclusive tour, filled with facts, history, and a huge amount of fun. What surprised me most was that the Casbah is a *family* history, noting that the Beatles history runs through it, and not really the other way around.
Love your last sentence. Spot on!
You should have a history document of all the gigs that the Beatles were scheduled from 1962-64 in both years the performed every day full year local gigs and European gigs
That could make for an interesting video 👍
Simply, Ringo is much much better than Best. Maybe the three felt that their career was will not rise with Best. And the think Ringo is much better
I agree. He was the final piece of the puzzle that made the band that very special unit it was destined to become.
Another good video Tudor, thanks.
Thanks again!
Pete was good for the Beatles and helped in an important time period of them evolving.. you can’t take that away
Ringo probably was a more suitable drummer but undoubtedly many were attracted to Pete because of his good looks! Let's face it, this is normal behavior. I read an
interesting article from an elderly lady who related that she was a 13-year-old when she got to see the Beatles at the Cavern Club before they were famous. She sounded like she and her friends went to see the attractive Pete. They sounded disappointed when the announcer said that Ringo would be filling in for Pete that day because of absence. Her annoyance became more evident as she described each player and finally said of the drummer, "and there was Ringo with his homely grin". Oh well, we can't have EVERYTHING!
Ah yes! Pete certainly had his dedicated followers who apparently chanted “We want Pete!” When the Beatles started performing in the Cavern with Ringo!
I enjoyed your video . I would point out that they actually started in the Indra in Germany not the Kaiserkeller.
They did get a spot in the Kaiserkeller in due course before moving to the Top Ten. However George got deported for been too young and Paul and Pete got arrested for allegedly trying to burn down the Bambi Kino which was I believe an old cinema where they had lodgings there while playing the Indra and Kaiserkeller.
They also signed a record deal with Polydor ( Germany) but only as a backing group for Tony Sheridan. They were listed as The Beat Brothers and recorded their first single out there with Sheridan called My Bonnie.
It was some guy coming into Brian Epstein's record shop called NEMS requesting My Bonnie by The Beatles that brought the band to Brian's attention for the first time . I don't think they would have made it at all outside Liverpool without the expertise of Epstein.
However well done . I enjoyed your video. I've seen Pete play last year at the Casbah with his band and God willing I'm going back to see him play again in Liverpool towards the end of August 2024.
Some sources claim that George Martin never thought they should sack Pete Best from the band. He just said that he wasn't good enough a drummer to be on the records, but in those days it wasn't uncommon to let a professional session drummer do the drumming on the records, while the official drummer played with the band live in concerts. It's easier to get away with a lot of things live, but on a record the flaws become much more obvious. Thus they could have kept Pete Best as their drummer on tour, which makes it likeley that the main reason for sacking him had to do with his personality.
I’m with you on this one. It’s not that Pete Best was used because they’d have likely got rid of him after the Hamburg time, but I’m sure that the ambitions of John & Paul would have meant he would have not been able to keep up with them. Still, he was there at the beginning and that stands for something I guess?
I've met both Pete Best and Colin Hanton. Both are lovely down to earth fellas. The Casbah is an interesting venue and their August Bank Holiday Shows are quite the experience. Thanks for another fantastic video. ❤
Amazing. Did they have a few tales to tell?
@@TudorSmith Colin told an amusing story about why he quit. Apparently George's dad got them a gig and they played their gig and then celebrated in the dressing room. After getting rather smashed, the compere walked in and said, "Right lads, your second spot is in 5 minutes". They thought they were doing one show. The compere was not impressed that they were all drunk. It was then that they were told the Chairman was coming to see them to over a residency, which was obviously not offered. The chairman had previously been at an event and was wearing make-up and when he walked in the dressing room, John Lennon laughed and mocked his appearance and questioned his sexuality. This incident was the moment Colin knew he'd had enough. Colin also mentioned that they have recently made a film about the Quarrymen. The special thing about this project is that McCartney has been interviewed to share his memories.
What a great story! 🙏
Class.
His involvement went back with her, oh... at LEAST nine months or so.
Tavistock didn't like Pete? Good for him. Kept his soul.
11:07 Good questions, but on one hand, at the live performances it wasn't a big problem, that Pete Best has limited skills. Bert Kaempfert turned down the drum part, it wasn't his favorite kind of music, he didn't care much for an excellent performance. Decca didn't exactly say, why they doesn't want the band and maybe George Martin was the first who told it.
Pete wasn't aware, that his place in the band wasn't because his excellent skills, but other reasons, that are more important.
Drums set were a very expensive instrument pete best mother could afford the equipment and pete was the only one who could play
COME TO FATHER by APOLOGETIX a great Beatles parody you would like, it's on UA-cam
No one really would know what happened then. It’s all questionable to me, unless we can really see and hear both drummers in action FOR REAL to compare. It’s all speculation to me.
Well, well. well. I've learnt something from this video. Thank you 👍
Every day’s a (rock n roll) school day 🙂
Ringo could not have been replaced.
He was replaced, twice, and The Beatles didn't miss a beat. As was pointed out in the video.
He’s done financially very well out of being a crap drummer
It took a while though eh? Perhaps in choosing material for the anthology project, it was realised that his inclusion was important for the whole Beatles narrative and as such, needed to include the early material which perhaps meant some royalties were due?
Can’t think of anyone less deserving 😂
🤣
Drummers were few & far between in the day due to the cost of a drum set. Hence that -thanks to Mona, & Pete being available having split from playing with Ken Brown = the initial Hamburg offer. That's paraphrased from one of the Beatles & Cynthia in "John" (2005) if I recall accurately? She had no historical dog to protect in that hunt especially in 2005 when she wrote it as the other three Beatles did after their perfidious and the abhorrent way they went about that dismissal.
They did audition Pete according to Alan Williams. But it was perfunctory fee containment exercise (from Pete's mouth told him later by Williams) and a fait accompli unless he couldn't find the kick & crash pedals as drummers weren't exactly growing on trees. All the argument about respective drumming proficiency between Ritchie and Pete is historically excusive semantics and moot AFAIC. Although not a fly on the wall at the time, it's evident to me that the real reason was that Pete was THE oddball fit with the other tightnit three regardless the subsequently revealed imperfect dynamics within that trio, and which is not to be denigratory of Pete in any way other than observation of that. Stu was too, and a worse musician if truth is to be revealed, but was Lennon's pet. Fortunately for Paul, Astrid and subsequently fate resolved that problem without it coming to the critical moment betrayal Pete was presented with. I'd have been in prison and there would have been no Beatles as was had they pulled that stunt on me. Kudos to Pete he took it on the chin as well as he did.
it should be fall and rise ! anthology paid him big time
Yes he did reap some benefits eh?
I've heard from several sources a few years ago it was 11 million - dollars, pounds, or euros, I don't know.
Pete Best's story is an unfortunate one, but his shortcomings as a drummer (as recognised by no less than 3 producers) are well documented in this video ua-cam.com/video/jU3a1deif-w/v-deo.html
That was a great clip. Thanks for sharing. It really does make sense doesn’t it?
@@TudorSmith No, it is not a great clip. It is full of lies, half-truths, and egregious bias. I can refute every single point made against Pete in it. That guy who made the video is a card-carrying, rabid Ringo Apologist.
i think Pete was a boxer . also evidently he did not get his hair styled like stuart and the others . Band are a package to sell . he might also have been difficult to manage from a managers point of view . Ringo was completely controllable (and remains so ) he got the gig . that makes sense to me . Pete was given his own band i think :)
I think you’re right. Pete didn’t conform and needed to be replaced.
@@TudorSmith Hi it was a good video , Bernie Purdey ,i think thats how you spell it, has a lot to say over who drummed on the recordings . interestingly the songs are more complex in the first albums than they are on let it be . i did wonder if they had help at the beginning . Anythings possible :)
He was never part of the group socially, he never joined in outside of the stage
@@Riffwood432hzwhat Bernard Purdie said was hogwash. He has been asked details about those supposed recordings and his story fell apart. He did rerecorded some demos, but Pete was the drummer on those. He recorded some Beatles songs as cover from other artist, but he never played on a Beatles album.
One last thing when the Q men split the moondogs songwriting team JL N Pm leaving Harrison to gig with brother as the rebels before Harrison joins new band then gets back with the now called Johnny N moondogs the other x Q men regroup under New Name can't remember but the x Q men started playing Trad jazz this act was part off the 300 Liverpool acts that got records out in early 60 s they made 3 45 s then later reform the Q men and still gig to this day the Beatles version off Q men made a local record that Emi put out as a Ltd 45 N 78 also Gerry N pacemakers skiffle group had the same thing with there earlier band The Marz Bars for radio as the big skiffle super star was still chatting in early 60 s Lonnie donegan Alex Alex corner the Rn B star later off CCS hit makers had to back track with his old skiffle demos coming out as LP with other having early Skiffle demos out out the Q men songs unreleased being updated by Ringo for use on the fabs White LP as well as a new edit off there 45 on the anthology Lp
Peter best was in the black jacks before he joined the Beatles they I think had x members off George Harrison band the Rebels Harrison then join the band who split before ( can't remember name) gigging at casbah Harrison then rejoin the moondog love in writing team band who never giged the moondogs become J N moon dogs now x Q man Harrison was back they replaced the band whose name I can't remember that Harrison had been in after the Rebels who had Harrison brother they the Rebels did one gig Harrison back the Johnny N moondogs giged the casbar with out drummer soon the Beatles as the silver Beatles tour Scotland with first drummer now Best went not for one reason he was very popular with girl fans good for band not the reason he was very intelligent so did not take drugs the rest were intelligent but best especially at school so did not participate in drugs but also after they sacked N did not pay first manager bests mum stood in that was a pain for Epstein she still have influence on band when making Sgt pepper she provided the medal 🏅🥇 s on the cover now best played on the German LP that had hit in Europe 45 s N come out in Australia and new Zealand before the Ringo stuff but Ringo was street wise did not do well at school cos off illness been playing with top act Roy storm N the other backing band on the German LP Beat brothers N many other local acts so had more Experience at time the German producer was top dog kepford Bert first to Germany to go top 10 in usa after
Part 2 after the second world war George Martin not at one of the test recordings and best N stand in engerner at EMI fell out a bit Martin was always going to use a session drummer but wonted best to stay he did not use Ringo at first they panicked he best was on the decca Demo LP the early Australia beer gees copy the German LP drumming had poster's of best all over it also hit in the med south euro then best after the Beatles join Lee Curtis All stars they had hits in Europe then he had hits with his own band Inc Two USA LPs the members of the best combo went on to write number one hits for the sugar baby love band rubettes so not a bad drummer well liked but Epstein did not won't his mum and the rest of the reasons Ringo more experienced like to get hi hi hi very working class as the rest were more middle class like best and he got a lot off girls screaming before they went cross over but I think Epstein had issues with bests mum as well that and the studio incident plus they changed the best to love me do to a skip beat that did not work then changed back to a more merseybeat beat pop style after bests version off love me do went round on promo so Alan white N Ringo are playing something that works with the song not the skip beat best had to play
Funny Pete had a more solid beat and Ringo couldn't carry a roll but he was the best choice and he clearly grew perhaps Pete would not of ! 🤡
Both had their strengths and weaknesses I guess?
Pete wasn't Best
Not as a fit for the band anyway!
Please don’t run out of Beatle related topics Tudor. The professionalism in your work is second to none (again)
Thanks. I’m sure there are still plenty of things to talk about 👍
I went to the Casbar many years ago back and was a great place to visit. Just so happened the day i went i was the only one of the tour and Pete Best’s brother showed me round, felt a very special moment
Does Roag Best run the museum?
I believe he does, I went there back in 2012 and he was running it then, whether he still does I don’t know. I believe he has set up a museum in the centre of Liverpool with Beatles memorabilia
As you and others have said, it's a brilliant that he was eventually recognised via Anthology 1 and got a decent sum of money from it. It's a shame he wasn't able to forge his own meaningful career in the music industry. Maybe it was a bit ambitious to form his own band post Beatles? Given the proliferation of Merseybeat groups that came in the wake of the Beatles, shouldn't he just have joined one or other of these groups as a drummer? Or perhaps there were no takers because he wasn't that good in reality.
He seems like a very amiable guy and he was treated rather shabbily when he was removed from the group. My feeling is that he was recruited in haste purely out of expediency and that he just didn't really fit in with the others, whereas Ringo did and was an ace drummer also.
Yep that’s the way to story goes - and went! He served a purpose because he had a kit but I’m pretty sure he didn’t fit the Beatles equation. History has proved that Ringo was the better fit.
I love George Harrison’s explanation about Ringo being the right drummer for the band, but that he came into the story at a different chapter.
Ringo has feel and played for the song .. I don’t think Jimmy Nicol or a session drummer would have contributed as much
Pete’s popularity in the band caused a lot of descent- particularly from Lennon. He was often photographed in front of the band and was considered the best looking. I think George Martin was the one who really wanted him out though. He had very high standards. Although, contrary to popular belief, Ringo did actually play on the first cut of Love Me Do, Martin had it re-recorded with Andy White, which was then released from the beginning of ’63. So even though Ringo’s version had already been released, Martin hadn’t full confidence yet in his drumming, and cut the second version- also for single release. Pete Best’s ‘atom beat’ was important to their early sound but I think George Martin recognised he was limited for recording purposes.
You're right about Pete's popularity causing jealousy within the band, but John was the last one to join the conspiracy to sack him. George Harrison admitted in his Anthology interview that he started the conspiracy. Paul was easy to convince, except that Paul wanted to wait 'til a record deal was attained before making the switch to another drummer. Pete had such a colossal fanbase that Paul considered sacking him might pose an existential threat to the band, and they'd better have a record deal in their pockets to stoke Liverpudlian pride before they committed the betrayal. The Beatles were signed in late July of '62, with Pete's name and signature on the contract, and three weeks later they dumped him. Just six days prior to their first time in front of a TV Crew, that Pete and Mona Best had arranged to come to The Cavern to film them. That footage still exists, with Ringo on drums, ironically playing the song, *"Some Other Guy",* as fans shouted out, *"We want Pete!"
As for George Martin, I'm afraid you're mistaken about that. George Martin *only* wanted to replace Pete in the studio, he explicitly told Brian Epstein that the session pro would be uncredited, that no one would ever know, and that Pete would remain the drummer doing all the live performances and appearing in all the photos, etc. The use of session drummers was the norm in that era. Martin actually sounded a bit disappointed Pete was gone, when he said, *"Pete Best had a sullen charm. I was surprised to learn that he had been replaced. Pete was the best looking Beatle, and the most marketable among them."*
And I must correct you on one other matter, the timing of the Ringo and White recordings of, "Love Me Do". Ringo did record it first, when he showed up unannounced on September 4th, and Martin rejected it, citing Ringo's poor timing -- an assessment agreed with by Paul McCartney. That session was supposed to be just for the 3 guitarists to prep them for a date not yet determined for an official recording session with a pro drummer. But Martin allowed Ringo to record, figuring if he's good enough then he won't need to hire a pro. The Threatles (John, Paul & George) knew that if Ringo wasn't on the record he would very likely quit the band. So Paul tried to persuade Martin that Ringo had only been practicing the song for two weeks and that if he'd give him a little more time, he'd nail the drumming on the song. Martin wasn't having it and told Paul (and Brian) that he was going to hire a session pro for the following week, September 11th. The Beatles went back to Liverpool, and no one told Ringo that he was going to be replaced.
So on the 11th Ringo and the lads walk into the studio where Andy White is setting up his drum kit. Ringo was livid, and sulked so demonstrably in the control room that the EMI engineers handed him a tambourine so he could go play with the band on the record. To this day, Ringo says he's never forgiven George Martin for replacing him.
While it's true that Ringo's version did get released as the first single, that was likely a mistake. Or, a compromise arranged privately between The Threatles and Martin, to keep Ringo from quitting the band. I believe the latter reason is what happened. So yeah, Ringo's came out first, but not before White had recorded his cut.
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@@thethirddoctor52 That's not a sincere question. Music history is filled with former members of successful bands not getting anywhere after leaving the band. It's certainly not as if Pete is unique in this aspect.
Pete was a MOMMA'S BOY
Was he the best drummer or a good Beatle? I'd have to say no. What would he have done on "She Said, She Said" for example? It's almost comedic to think about it. I don't think he had the aptitude musically to endure in that band. John and Paul would have eaten him alive no doubt by 1966.
I'm a Canadian, and had the pleasure of meeting Pete Best in Dartmouth , Nova Scotia in 1998 when he walked into a pub during the noon lunch hour. I was there having lunch with my work mates, and I said to them "Did Pete Best just walk through the door?" None of them knew who he was, so I scoped him out to make sure. Definitely him. I went over and said hello, and he was the nicest, most welcoming person imaginable. Very lovely guy. A bit later, while he was having lunch with his bandmates, the overhead music played "Got my mind set on you". He didn't seem to notice. Class act 100%
I think Pete suffered an astonishing blow when being dismissed from the Beatles, and even to a greater degree when they became world famous - while he tried to support his family in Liverpool at the same time. I read somewhere about him loading bread trucks when the Beatles were recording the White Album (could be conjecture as well). Pete remained dignified through that phase, and displayed amazing humility.
But Pete also got paid with the Anthology release while still in his 50's, so things haven't been all bad for him, and better late than never. I think Pete might agree.
He's also a hugely respected and well-loved elder statesman in Liverpool whether McCartney acknowledges him or not.
Thanks for the great video!
And just what was it that Ringo did on, "She Said, She Said"? He did just what John and Paul told him to do. Ringo has admitted this.
Moreover, it is grossly unfair for you to compare 1960-62 Pete with any Beatles albums, let alone songs from 1966. Good grief.
Both Pete and Ringo in '62 were playing almost exclusively early rock covers, and they both did it very well. Many who saw them both considered Pete to be the better of the two.
Had Pete remained a Beatle, he very well may've evolved in his drumming the way Ringo did, in the presence of 3 genius songwriters. But he was robbed of that chance.
It's all before my time, I only got involved with the Beatles in 1964, I was 12 that year. I think it happens quite often, members of a band shafted but told about it by another party not part of the band. Yes, John, Paul, and George were gutless about it, but hey, Epstein was the manager. It doesn't affect how I feel about the fad four, Brian Epstein or Pete Best just as the fad four's time with the Yogi or the fallout over money doesn't either. No human is perfect. I thought the Beatles in Hamburg were called the Silver Beatles when Sutcliffe was with the band.
Epstein could have put a super group together with best N Roy storm but he did ask him to join the Mersey beats instead but best was pissed off mean N moody the Mersey music press called him when in the Beatles but he worked behind his back to get him in the Lee Curtis band who become a solo act in Germany Decca wanted the lee Curtis all stars that become the Pete Best combo who pick up a couple off covers off there stuff in USA by 80 s indi chart acts there good records like the best combo original s
Best still refuses to accept the obvious reason Martin insisted he be fired…. He Sucked‼️ Just listen to his recordings with The Beatles. Couldn’t keep a steady beat & boring.
Plus if read that he didn’t push himself to improve so it was a case of stalemate for poor old Pete.
Martin never insisted that he was fired , he actually thought that he had great showmanship, but insisted that a session drummer was used for the recording...
@@nigellee9824 if it got out that he did not play on the records the beatles would have become a joke
Ringo has feel and played for the song .. I don’t think Jimmy Nicol or a session drummer would have contributed as much
The fall and fall of pete best😅😅😅😅😅
lol That’s the thumbnail I should have gone for!
A very sensitive portrayal of Pete Best's tenure, delicately told. I guess the truth of this is lost in the mists of time but relatives of mine who were Cavern members informed me over the years that Pete's sacking was very unpopular, locally. Also, even though battle hardened, at the time the Beatles were just one of the bands of the 'Merseybeat' sound so perhaps they were looking at the long game and national exposure. I may be wide of the mark here but even after Hamburg they were still very young men and ex college boys.. John had attended Quarry Bank (hence the Quarrymen), Stu, left in Hamburg was John's art school companion and best mate. Paul and George, who were eager to form a close bond to John, were both Liverpool Institute boys and friends but Pete was from the rival Liverpool Collegiate School, both situated in the city centre. I went to the Collegiate and can confirm the rivalry between the two schools. This may be purely coincidental but a thought nonetheless.
It’s difficult not to take sides when retelling some stories. 👍
I remember school rivalries when I was a kid so it’s definitely likely that there was rivalry between the lads!
I did another watch on Pete Best from a different perspective on another platform. I was quite saddened to see how low in mood he appeared. Yes he was very smiley, nervous at times but also genuine in his responses. I knew he had some health issues and had been receiving medical treatment. All in all a really nice chap with a pleasant demeanour. Appears to have moved on with his life and good luck to him.
Yes if anyone were to have regrets, Pete Best would be a strong contender what with the Beatles becoming what they were. I’m glad he received credit on the Anthology project.
And so say all of us!!!
Not a bad video
I met Pete once he was a nice man
From the interviews of Pete that I’ve watched I do get the impression that he’s a decent man.
yes but the band was not a charity . can't cut it ? you're fired
Rory storm and the hurricanes was great too! 😊
Was surprised to learn of Neil Aspinals involvement with Pete's mother!! Giving birth to a son just a few weeks before Pete's sacking!
I believe Neil and Mona’s son still runs the Casbar as a kind of museum. I’ve not actual visited it. I think I must sometime.
@@TudorSmith Neil died getting on for 20 years ago. I believe the museum is run by Pete - and quite possibly his half brother. Yes I was thinking the very same thing! Apparently Lennon’s girlfriend’s silhouette sketch/painting of him is still on the wall all these years later!
Petes combo also released an album " Best of The Beatles "
That's interesting. I didn't do enough digging about whilst researching! I didn't know that.
He was actually sued over that album and accused of fraud as despite the title, it contained no Beatles music. But he prevailed because the Best in the title was him and he was in the Beatles! 🤣🤣
It was a kind of revenge and also misleading, as a cover version record, where the studio band has the name "original artists"
11:48 well, if you think about it that would have meant MORE MONEY for John, Paul and George, since the drummer on studio recordings would have been a session drummer paid for the session only and not entitled to royalties.
It’s certainly a way of looking at it!
Yet one more reason that Martin's desire to use a session drummer in place of Pete was nothing more than a pretext to sack him - something they'd already wanted to do (at least Paul and George) for a long time, over jealousy of Pete's status as the far and away most popular Beatle.
I recall John Lennon has commenting on Pete best joining the band . I think his interview is like everything else on UA-cam . He said just as you did that the needed a drummer for Hamburg and it was Pete who was available. Johns attitude came across that Pete was just a stop gap , there didn’t seem to be much affection
John became very tight with Pete.
It would be nice if PAUL AND RINGO would call PETE a get together and just go out eat together again, PAUL RINGO AND PETE COULD ACTUALLY MAKE A BEATLES ALBUM TOGETHER, PETE COULD SING AND PLAY DRUMS, RINGO CAN SING, IN A STUDIO,YOU CAN DO MANY THINGS
I love your your drive with cere cannel and this cannel and can you do a history of pete best please and the quarrymen
Yes I should put something together in the Quarrymen!
11:50 I could imagine that The Beatles would possibly got a contract with Decca, if Best would have been better. But also, that maybe the music would have kept the style of the 2 first albums.
Yes that’s possible as it was all just rock and roll in the early days. Lennon & McCartney had already started writing songs together but the Decca audition and their live performances were all about playing songs that were already known. I think I read that when recording for Tony Sheridan (Bert Kampfart producing?) Pete’s drumming wasn’t liked.
@@TudorSmith Yes Bert Kaempfert. The man with the strings, the choir, the mute bass.
If it wasn’t for Pete Best, the Beatles would have not gone to Hamburg and other places where they worked hard every night and got their style… however they needed Ringo to complete the band to get to the next level. Pete Best there when they needed him.
Yep he was there when the other three were honing their live performance skills 👍
One theory is that because of Pete’s alleged crap drumming, it made the rest of the Beatles better players than they would have been otherwise.
When Ringo joined, the Beatles were already ripe. Ringos drumming then put the band in over drive.
No rock drummer can swing like Ringo. The missing magical ingredient.
Excellent video -much as Pete was key to the early Beatles - Ringo was most definitely the right fit - as time would prove………Pete was such a good sport over it - he could have been very bitter about it all, but he didn’t dish the dirt. I’m glad that he finally saw some financial reward for his contributions to the early Beatles.
As a Beatles fan, Pete Best issue was the only thing about them I don't like. While they had the right to replace him, he should have been compensated shortly thereafter. They did not act correctly at all.
This was excellent Tudor. I share your view that Pete's recruitment was out of expedience; he was available for Hamburg and his Mum was worth knowing because of the Casbah. Also, Alan Williams would have seen it as ultra convenient (I've read somewhere that Bruno Koschmeider (sp?) insisted bands he hired had a drummer).
Pete was not treated well but the others aspired to synergistic standards he couldn't reach. And yes, I believe that George Martin's views influenced the decision to sack him. I'm pleased that, belatedly, he got some financial recompense via Anthology.
It was the right time and place for Pete…for a time. But knowing what we all know now about the journey from 1962 onwards it was a forgone conclusion that Ringo was the better fit…well in my eyes anyway. The Beatles in a paradox uni era with Pete Best as one of the band would have been a different entity all together!
Yeh I just checked again it’s on a UA-cam clip called “ why Pete best got sacked by the Beatles “ it’s John Lennon talking about. He says it all about Pete best . He says they just needed a guy and Pete wasn’t a great drummer but he would do until they found someone else . Typically John he didn’t hold back and not a lot of decorum with his words
Yeah John was know for his caustic comments. Say it as it is right? But yeah, Pete was a stop gap although he did stay around for 2 years right? Imagine a Beatles sound without Ringo on the sticks though? Ringo knew about providing “space”.
@@TudorSmith I think 🤔 people was just a “ local guy “ and didn’t have the innate level of intelligence / chemistry or creativity as the rest of the group . The sensory sensitivity to gel with the group and gel with the world just wasn’t there and would never be there as your born with it …. One of the greaest gifts in life is working to the maximum of your potential and being happy with that otherwise you’ll have no peace
Sorry Pete was a local guy
@@TudorSmith I was up my dad’s house the other day and I noticed he had a new vinyl record player . My mum bought him it for Xmas so he could play his old records ( I’m 53 he’s 75) I looked through his records and amount others there was Bruce Springsteen collection I bought him when I was a teenager, he had tons of Roy Robinson records and then there 2 sgt pepper albums . One was a first edition I assume from the release days and the other was from the 70s or 80s he bought because he fancied a fresh copy because of a few scratches on the first copy lol 😝
I grew up in the 80s listening to all my dad’s Beatles albums from the 60s . I didn’t buy any myself because he just had them in the house 🏠
@@Johndoe10007 Rubbish. Pete was the most intelligent member of the band. He was the only one who passed his exams to get into college. And I don't mean Art College, I mean real college, academic college. Pete also served as The Beatles de facto manager and booking agent for long stretches, even before he joined the band. Brian Epstein considered Pete the most punctual and professional member of the group. As for Pete's creativity, he showcased it frequently with significant input on creating new arrangements on both the covers they were doing, and even recommending changes to Lennon and McCartney originals that were approved by John and Paul. And regarding chemistry, Pete was very close to John. The two of them spent a lot of time together at Pete's house after gigs, raiding the kitchen and listening to records. John, who was always splitting his pants on stage, would routinely say to Pete's mom, Mona (Mo), *"Mo, i've got another 9-stitcher for ya!",* and she'd always happily oblige. Because of this tight relationship, and because Pete was such a great drummer, John initially pushed back on the idea of sacking Pete when George and Paul tried to enlist him into their conspiracy to replace him.
Pete was a very likable bloke, and the only reason a chemistry did not develop between him and Paul, and him and George is because they were jealous of Pete's status as the far and away most popular Beatle with the fans, the club managers, and the press, alike. Chemistry is a two-way street. But Paul and George always kept Pete at arm's length, due to their own insecurities. That's on them...not Pete.
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That was very interesting. I didn't know most of what you brought to us here. That was very enjoyable and enlightening. Thank you
We did a tour of the casbah and can highly recommend it . Allso met Pete at the Epstein theatre when he was doing a show a lovely humble man . Thanks Tudor i enjoyed that .
Amazing that you met him. I’ll have to get to the Casbah someday!
Cheers Tudor.
Tudor: Hi. I read somewhere Pete rivaled Paul in "the pretty face department". Any truth to that? Cheers! 🥨
I read somewhere that Pete had the upper hand in charisma and holding himself with management of their gigs as well as being able to talk to the “press” when needed. As far as pretty boy goes - that’s got to be subjective right? 🤣
@@TudorSmith Actually, Tudor, even though a person's looks are subjective, there is ample *objective* evidence that Pete the hands-down best looking Beatle. For instance:
* Paul McCartney: *"Of all of us, it was Pete the girls would always go for."*
* George Martin: *"Pete Best had a sullen charm. I was surprised to learn they'd replaced him. Pete was the best looking Beatle, and the most marketable among them."*
* Geoff Nugent, guitarist for the contemporary Liverpool band, The Undertakers, said, *"You'd see 3 or 4 girls around John, Paul and George after a Beatles show, and you'd see 50 around Pete. Pete Best put The Beatles on the map."*
* Bill Harry, editor of Mersey Beat, said: *"*"Pete was so popular with the girls that DJ/promoter Bob Wooler suggested something unprecedented -- place Pete and his kit in front of the other three members of the group. This unusual stage line-up was presented only once -- at the St. Valentine's Dance on 14 February 1961, at Litherland Town Hall. Only once because the stage was mobbed when the girls surged forward and almost pulled Pete off into the crowd. This never happened when John, Paul and George were in the front line."*
@@Cosmo-Kramer Hi. Thanks for your info. Did you pay George back for the computers you destroyed yet? Just wondering. Cheers! 🥨