Beatles History 6: How and Why Pete Best was Replaced by Ringo Starr

[@fordprefect80]

I heard a demo recording with Pete on drums. I've never touched a drum kit in my life, but even I can detect his timing is quite off. Ringo is a charming guy, has swing, keeps the beat and he was already a good friend of the band before he joined.

[@angelicaquirarte]

Charming : drink comapanion and thats all

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

And which demo recording would that be?

[@thatguythatdrawzz749]

@@Cosmo-Kramer pick any one from anthology or listen to "My Bonnie", there's no kick

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

@@thatguythatdrawzz749 There's a reason there's no kick on that song. Let me explain. Pete was a natural, renowned for having the heaviest right foot in the Liverpool-Hamburg circuit, and for revolutionizing rock drumming with his signature style that famously became known as, "The Atom Beat". When The Beatles with Pete Best on drums hit the scene, every drummer in Hamburg and Liverpool tried to copy Pete's "Atom Beat", including Ringo. Pete also had faster hands than Ringo. So now, go listen to the 1961 Tony Sheridan song, "My Bonnie", that The Beatles played on (as The Beat Brothers), again. To make sure you get the right version, find the one from Anthology 1. Pete's right foot was so thunderous, the easy-listening German producer told him to just play the snare and hi-hat. So yes, the kick is conspicuously missing. But that's not what I want you to listen for. Listen for the drum rolls Pete executes. The first one is good but nothing too special, because he's starting from a standstill -- it's the drums intro into the song. But keep listening, because at least 3 other times in the song Pete does a fast drum roll *_at speed,_* transitioning quickly and seamlessly out of and back into the regular beat. That is not easy. Not with the impeccable timing Pete demonstrates. Well, what about Ringo's drum rolls? How do they compare?? Oh that's right, he couldn't do them, at all. Here's what George Martin said about his first meeting with Ringo, *"I didn’t rate Ringo very highly. He couldn’t do a drum roll, and still can’t."* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[@thatguythatdrawzz749]

@@Cosmo-Kramer ok so I isolated Pete's drums on the anthology version and no matter how much I played around with the synchronization of the track to the metronome, he would always drift out of tempo because the whole drum track is about 1 bpm off from the rest of the track which may not seem like a lot but any good musician can tell you that it makes a large difference aif you give it like 2 bars. the funniest part about it is that Pete wasn't allowed to play toms or kick because he'd go off beat whenever he'd use the kick according to the sound engineer at the time, he actually makes a slight mistake in the drum roll in the intro which isn't too noticeable with the rest of the stuff added on but isolated it's very apparent. Pete seems to be a good live drummer in the way in which he can keep it up but he seems to just be very slightly off on most recordings we have of him at the time, particularly on stuff like the decca auditions. Pete wasn't bad, but he wasn't a legend

[@robinrobyn1714]

This perfectly answers a question that I, as an American, have been puzzled about for years. I have asked how it was that Pete could be sacked, just like that, when he was under contract?

[@johnburns4017]

Pete could not be sacked. He was a partner, entitled to 25% of profits. He took bad legal advice.

[@theselector4733]

Absolutely great investigative work & research there David. You are SPOT ON!!!!! The thing I find is that people can't accept the truth. They think if you accept the 'Pete Story' then you have to dislike Ringo or The Beatles for what they did. It's almost a type of Cognitive Dissonance people have about the whole situation. It's understandable considering the massive social significance The Beatles had on people & society in general. I, myself, have no problem accepting The "Pete Story" & still being a massive fan of the band with Ringo. Knowing and accepting one doesn't discount the other.

[@Liddypool]

You're speaking my language. We can appreciate Pete for what he did, which was help create the group that Brian became a manager of, and got the record deal with George Martin. He was a great drummer for that time. We can thank him. And, as you rightly say again, let us give Ringo full credit for his amazing contribution to the Fab Four. We can like them both!!

[@jasona9]

I agree! The Ringo vs. Pete discussion (or debate) isn't a SCALE. If you say, "UP with Ringo". This does not have to translate into, "DOWN with Pete". The average Beatles fan today does not know or try to acknowledge the contribution that Pete made to the band. During his two-year tenue the Beatles achieved many milestones that they wouldn't have without a regular drummer.

[@deaconblue5211]

Some good insight here. In bands however, there always seems to be one guy on the outside looking in. This was the case with Pete Best. He wasn't like the other three. He also didn't show up for certain gigs according to both Harrison and McCartney. When Ringo sat in with them Best's fate was sealed. Ringo gave them the groove and fit in personality wise. Later on when McCartney had Wings he had a drummer named Geoff Britten for a short while in the band(less than a year) and he wasn't like the rest of the band and became difficult to work with. McCartney wasn't quite sold on his playing and fired him. He then hired an American drummer named Joe English who gave him everything he was looking for. Sound familiar?

[@thatguythatdrawzz749]

to be fair even McCartney's playing on band on the run is better than that drummer's and Macca isn't even a drummer

[@SuperGogetem]

Its too bad because Britten was a great drummer.

[@paulclinton5900]

David's insights are the most accurate I have seen on Pete's dismissal.

[@ktcarl]

It was BS. I can't believe so much crap continues to come out on this subject. If Pete was a great drummer they wouldn't have got rid of him. John is on record saying Pete was a lousy drummer. Paul said when they went to see Ringo play for the Hurricanes they thought he was a great drummer. George Martin is on record in a film called 'The Compleat Beatles' saying "Pete couldn't keep time very well" and so HAD to contract a session drummer. Check this video out where 4 different recording producers said that Pete was inadequate on the drums. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIaWkmSams6ZY9k Plus go and find Love Me Do on the Decca audition tape and listen to Pete's drumming. B-T-W, how do you know David's insights are the most accurate you've ever seen? Once you watch the video I posted you will feel very different about David's insights.

[@scottandrewbrass1931]

Ringo was a drummer and Pete Best owned a drumkit. There's the difference.

[@Valveus]

Nailed it!

[@muttsez]

what ? ringo didnt have a drumkit ?

[@johnsergei]

@@muttsez Drumkit? Ringo was having more financial success than the other Beatles @ the time.

[@jackthebassman1]

Very well put

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

Oh really?? Well this drummer disagrees. Here's what a contemporary drummer of Pete's said when he was asked in an interview what he thought of Pete's drumming: *"He was a genius. You could sit Pete Best on a drum kit and ask him to play for 19 hours and he'd put his head down and do it. He'd drum like a dream with real style and stamina all night long, and that really was The Beatles' sound, forget the guitars. I was amazed when they replaced him. I even thought about learning guitar so he could be the drummer in my band. The Beatles didn't hate Pete Best, but they didn't want to be outshone by their drummer. Ringo was a good drummer but he was more ordinary."* -- Chris Curtis, drummer for The Searchers, a great Liverpool band who scored a 1964 Top 3 Hit in the US charts with their classic, "Love Potion # 9". Chris saw Pete Best play many times in both Hamburg and Liverpool during Pete's two years as The Beatles' drummer.

[@jasona9]

5:20 Too bad that the Merseybeats were a bit too young at that time for Pete to feel comfortable joining them. They eventually had six Top 40 hits. SORROW is my personal favorite song of the Merseybeats.

[@jasona9]

@@pinksax What exactly?

[@jasona9]

@@pinksax you’re splitting hairs over name and personnel changes….band members and band names changed. That doesn’t make what I wrote wrong.

[@jasona9]

@@pinksax I don’t understand what you’re trying to explain or prove….all my original post did was agree with David (the creator of this KZbin video). And I mentioned my favorite Merseybeats song from my Spotify playlist…SMH

[@paulorobertopedroso9933]

Pete Best was invited to come to Brazil, he was honored by a rock brazilian Band called * paralamas do Sucesso* and had participate as a drummer ina Samba Scholl , in Rio de janeiro, it was wonderfal, pete will be always in my heart

[@joannebeauchamp1169]

Glad to see Pete Best is doing so well today. He deserves it. One thing a lot of people overlook is that regardless of what you think about Pete’s drumming, he was more attractive than Ringo. Back in those days, fans didn’t give a rip about the drumming part, but wondered…was he cute? After Pete left, Paul became more of the focal point of The Beatles due to his good looks. Looks really counted back in the 60’s…

[@muttsez]

just ask ringo

[@pascaldeslongchampsmoncton1490]

You might be right when you say fans didn't care about the drumming, but the producer and the other guys in the band did care, and that's why Pete got canned.

[@edwardrossman9448]

Interesting terminology here about 'Ringo joining to make a new group.' That Pete never quit The BeaTles and there was a legal snafu in that because all 4 were equal partners. Good insight.

[@mikeymutual5489]

All of this is legal technicality. None of it matters. This guy is clueless.

[@techdad5606]

I’m sure there were social/political/personal reasons they dumped Pete, but the main reason was musical. In an interview with John, he says they were always going to dump Pete eventually and I believe him. The push or impetus to act on this was George Martin expressing Pete wasn’t solid enough to use on studio recordings. So, on the cusp of a big break, they unceremoniously fired Pete because they knew they needed a better drummer. Not very nice, but that’s why they called it the music “business”. Paul Weller broke up The Jam at their peak because he had to move on, change and grow. Look at the career he’s had and, look the massive impact of The Beatles with Ringo. Ringo Starr is just a better, more solid and imaginative drummer than Pete Best. Martin only used Andy White on their first record because he didn’t want to get shown up by these punks and their “new” drummer. Martin was a professional and was in charge. After he saw Ringo play, he had no reservations using Ringo on every other Beatles recording, because he was a solid time-keeper. Compare the Decca tapes and the first session with Parlophone with officially released versions of songs like “Money”, “Til There Was You” and “Love Me Do”. Pete was pretty good at the surf/jungle beat, but it was one dimensional. “Money” rocks harder with Ringo and he plays a reverse backbeat on the verses and turns it around for the choruses, much like the original Motown recording. Also, Pete has no subtlety on ballads on “Til There Was You”. What’s with the sixteenth-note hi-hat? In contrast, Ringo plays a basic latin-type groove which suits the song. Ringo was always good at playing what suited the song. “Love Me Do” with Pete is atrocious, changing tempos all over the place. Listen to any Beatles recording and the drumming is solid. Pete was average and limited at best and off-time at his worst. To be honest, the Decca audition isn’t great as everyone was probably nervous. But the evidence, to me points more toward a musical decision to have a better band.

[@oldhippiejon]

And yet Lennon claimed Ringo was not even the best drummer in the Beatles?

[@ozrob8726]

I always thought the Beatles treated Pete Best shabbily, but the rest was history.

[@Liddypool]

They did and I think the way they treated him since is bad too. Can't change history (some try to!) I just like knowing the truth.

[@kenneth2656]

@@Liddypool I agree that have treated him shabbily since as well, I wonder if he ever bumped into any of them afterwards, for example McCartney supposedly visits Liverpool quite often imagine if they bumped into each other do you think Paul would run a mile to avoid him, I know he's got some royalties in recent years but why didn't they sort their old mate out with a few quid when they were millionaires and they were throwing money around like confetti buying vast houses etc, they must have known he was working in the employment exchange as a civil servant it sounds heartless to me after all they had shared together. One interview I heard Lennon give when he said Pete was a useless drummer and was only there because he had a kit and they used his mums house to rehearse and were always going to get rid of him was well cruel and uncalled for .He obviously couldn't give a damn about anyones feelings or Petes mental health i suppose Lennon was just another fake in a certain sense. All in all though their story is a fascinating one especially for me the early days in Hamburg and Liverpools clubs there's so many stories and anecdotes including how Lewis Collins the late actor in the Professionals was working with Pauls brother Mike as trainee hairdressers and Mike recommended Lewis to Paul for the drummers role he later played for the Mojos I think.

[@Liddypool]

@@kenneth2656 Pete has tried reaching out to Paul in the media to invite him to meet up again in private, no press, just old friends catching up. Paul never has and never will. Only Beatles are John, George and Ringo to him. No one else. Such a shame, but the Beatles never looked after those close to them. Pete is in a good place and has been for decades, thankfully.

[@nigellee9824]

They were young lads, and to be honest, he never fitted in ...

[@UAL320]

If anyone says they knew Ringo would be as great as he became they’d be lying. In hindsight, of course, he was a superb choice. Pete did phenomenally well helping to create the “buzz” around the band after the return from Hamburg. It all came down to George Martin “spooking” Eppy and the Beatles by seeming to put the sessions in question due to Pete’s lack of fine technical skill (although George made it very clear it didn’t matter who they kept up on stage). After they’d come all this way, they wanted NOTHING in the way of the recording sessions. It was 50% that and 50% that he (and his mother) didn’t really fit with the other three.

[@c.syde65]

Pete Best contributing more hours than Ringo Starr ever did as a drummer for The Beatles can't possibly be a true statement. And even if it is, that doesn't change the fact that Ringo would have spent more hours in the same room as the other Beatles. The final four members of the Beatles did spend a lot of time together outside recording. At least until they split up. Also it wasn't that Pete couldn't play drums. He definitely could. It's just that once the Beatles began to record demoes of what would become their first chart topping hits, it was evident that Pete was no longer able to meet the standard the other Beatles wanted. Because they'd become more selective about the standard the drums needed to reach. With a lot of the tracks recorded before the first version of 'Love Me Do', the quality of the drums wasn't that important. You could play the drums almost any way you wanted on the tracks recorded before 'Love Me Do', and they would have sounded marginally okay, regardless of who was drumming or how they were drumming. As long as they knew how to drum.

[@richarddunne9802]

Ringo had such a melodic ear, his beats are almost hooks. Not many rock drummers played like that before him, and he fit The Beatles like a glove.

[@shb7772000if]

Good video. I didn't know they couldn't fire Pete. I had heard, that the lawyers found a technicality, that allowed them to get rid of him. Just because a producer wants to use a session musician, doesn't mean the band musician is bad. Andy White said that sometimes, the whole band, would be replaced with studio musicians.

[@Liddypool]

Thanks. It has been a long investigation over many years to finally get to the truth.

[@mikeymutual5489]

That "session musician" argument is just a head fake by an author that doesn't want to admit the obvious. George Martin didn't like Pete's drumming at all, and for good reason. This author is trying to reinvent history.

[@mgconlan]

I remember when I first heard The Beatles' surviving recordings with Pete Best - the July 1961 Hamburg recordings with Tony Sheridan and the January 1, 1962 Decca audition - I thought that Pete was a better drummer technically than Ringo but Ringo fit in more with the band. When my then-girlfriend Cat and I first got the bootleg LP of the Decca audition we both thought, "If THIS is what we'd had to go on, we wouldn't have signed them, either!" Once Ringo played those thundering tom-tom parts on "Please Please Me," it was clear he deserved the gig.

[@carlnielsen3477]

An interesting and thought provoking video. Thanks for that!

[@carlnielsen3477]

Maybe this could interest you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qp62o4N7bNF5p6s

[@glennbentley4226]

Because John Lennon , Paul McCartney and George Harrison were users.

[@angelicaquirarte]

Agree why people still defended them is beyond me even john said they weren't good people they were asholes say it for herself in his words , im sure he hates how people worship her today as idiots

[@shb7772000if]

Your next book, could be about Bon Jovi's firing, of bassist Alec John Such. I thought it was strange, that Jon and Richie Sambora were making statements to the press, about how bad his playing was. Then I found out, he did a magazine interview, that Jon didn't like.

[@Liddypool]

The interesting "sacking" I discuss in my book, Finding the Fourth Beatle, is of Don Felder from The Eagles. That was done, by the manager, but he couldn't be sacked as he was a partner in the group. Took them years and a hefty out of court settlement to resolve that one. Plenty of other examples too. Pete's was the first in a long line!

[@arniezanzibar5309]

Great video on the Pete / Ringo saga, alot more informative than Pop Goes The 60's who is of the opinion that any information coming out of anyone from Liverpool is misinformation and is not credible

[@justmaximumpublicity664]

Just listen to Pete Best on Love Me Do, and make your own mind up. - it's on the Anthology - the 3 versions Pete Best, session drummer and Ringo. Before he joined The Beatles we all knew who he was with Rory Storm. On Love Me Do the main drumming is more like the drummer with Freddie and the Dreamers - all cymbals. Also the first time they recorded for George Martin they used Pete Best and that's when Martin made his mind up as he didn't like Pete's drumming. Martin wouldn't accept Ringo at first, and that's when they used the session drummer, and Ringo, according to Martin, always held it against him. I heard George Martin introducing some Beatles songs and when it came to The Ballad of John and Yoko, only two Beatles were on this: John and Paul. Paul played the drums and George Martin pointed out that it wasn't a patch on Ringo - he just kept the beat, which is the main role for a drummer.

[@Nikitas1978]

I think there is nothing controversial with Pete being replaced by Ringo. What is controversial is the way it has been done. They've should meet him in person and deliver bad news to him directly, as men and business people supposed to do, instead of cowardly relegating this duty to Brian. There is also no doubt that Pete, despite all shortcomings of his drumming, has played important role in development of early Beatles and this should never been neither forgotten nor underestimated.

[@rockykoast7065]

That finally makes sense. I've heard different versions of 'why' & 'what happened '. The contractual thing has a ring of truth. Bands follow the same rules of evolution as we all do biologically; 'survival of the fittest '.

[@bobdavis2128]

I have listened to Pete best. He is a gentleman, but John said they were going to get rid of him .He never improved. When Pete was sick Ringo set in and they fell in love with his drumming. Now Pete is successful in his own right He has been married 60 years to his wife .He was given money from the anthology project ,about 12 million ,he was technical advisor for backbeat the movie .And he got over it.He is still alive ,John and George are dead .As I said he is a gentleman and he has had more success than I have.He has been married 60 years raised a family and he tours with his brother roeg. Keep it up Pete I wish you success.

[@Liddypool]

I agree with a lot of what you said about Pete. Lovely guy, family man too. However, until George Martin suggested using a session drummer, they had never considered replacing him. As Paul said, they felt bad, but if the producer (George Martin) was going to replace him they should too. John's comments were said many years after the event, so what else were they all going to say? John also said that if you didn't see the Beatles around the halls and clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg, you never saw the real Beatles. That is when they were at their best as a rock n roll group. That was with Pete. So you have to balance everything they say. And they said a lot!

[@bobdavis2128]

@@Liddypool If you watched the Beatles anthology John said he was not a good drummer .He said they took him because they needed a drummer he never improved and they said they were going to get rid of him .I have listen to Pete's drumming and you listen to the Decca recordings .And you can watch him playing on you tube .He was not that good.Ringo is much better.But as I said he has had success. More than I have .I think he made 12million on anthology. He was technical advisor for backbeat. I don't think he went through the drug scene like the Beatles did.And another thing he is alive Both George and John are dead .He has had a successful marriage of 60 years ,raised a family he tours with roag his brother and has some fame .And he is a Gentleman and a good person .The Beatles tried to smeer him and he sued them for libel and he won.The image of the Beatles is a image and today they have kept the image alive .John and yoko were strung out on heroin. Again a image .And people use images and it is not reality.

[@Liddypool]

I've analysed every quote on Pete Best from the Beatles in my book Finding the Fourth Beatle, which doesn't give me enough space here for the full results. In anthology etc what were they going to say? "Pete was great so we got rid of him?" Because John Paul and George are biased, I enlisted 3 objective drummers to analyse Pete's drumming and I was surprised at how positive they were. Pete was a great drummer for what they were playing back then. Do you think they would have put up with someone who couldn't play drums for 2 years? No way. You have to examine the evidence of what they were saying in 1962. Paul was very clear - they didn't want to replace Pete but felt they had to. Now, my conclusion in that book is very clear. The Beatles stopped being a covers rock n roll group when they signed their contract. They were changing. They were becoming a pop group writing thei own songs. I believe only Ringo could have successfully helped them achieve that. A very different drummer to Pete, but it is possible to like them both.

[@bobdavis2128]

@@Liddypool It is not about liking or disliking them.In reality I really don't know them ,I don't visit them .As people They are not my friends .All this stuff happened between 1960 and 1963 .I have watched Pete Best on you tube ,and I was not impressed with his drumming ,he another drummer so his band had two drummers .They were playing stuff from hamburg, and it was not very good .But he was a Beatle, and he was very cordial .He has some success and he has not badmouthed any of the other Beatles, And I don't know why Paul or Ringo don't reach out to him.Only they know and the myth keeps on growing and Paul likes to mess around with the history .Pete got over it ,but as long as people keep talking about it the revision will go on and on.and only Paul and Ringo are left and they don't have too many years left

[@jasona9]

Bob Davis, Pete Best was NOT a "technical advisor for backbeat the movie". Backbeat (1994) was loaded with historical inaccuracies including how Pete Best was portrayed. The actor that played Pete (Scot Williams) wanted to meet Pete but was denied the opportunity by the producers.

[@TomByron-h7s]

I feel so bad when people fight over Ringo or Pete. Ringo was better for sure. Pete was ok too. Just leave it alone already. What tripe.

[@Liddypool]

Absolutely right James

[@muttsez]

UM.......I THINK PETE IS/WAS BETTER....EVEN TODAY

[@johnsergei]

@@muttsez "Stupid keyboard, cap stuck on again!" Pete was & still isn't professional. Ringo wrote dozens of parts of songs. It's easy to play what somebody has already written (well, maybe not for Pete??)

[@doctorsocrates4413]

Big question for me would be...if you didn't know who was on the drums how many people could tell just by "listening" to a beatles track on vinyl or cassette for example...is there a clear distinction and would we as the listening public be really able to tell who was drumming on that session...i do know on some recording sessions even john did a bit of drumming as did george and paul.

[@andrewhudson8966]

The Bobby Graham story is interesting,and it may apply to the other drummers,but when Bobby Graham told George Harrison that Brian Epstein had asked him to join the Beatles,George didn’t know anything about it.Did John and Paul know about it without telling George,if so why?Or was Brian doing something behind all the Beatles backs and again why? According to Tony Sheridan has said that Pete was a vital part of the development of the Beatles because they developed a style of playing necessary to cover Pete’s inadequacies and when Ringo came along it freed them up to become what they became,the greatest entertainment phenomenon ever. We can discuss forever the reasons why John,Paul and George wanted to replace Pete with Ringo but ultimately all that matters is that on the morning of August 16th 1962 John,Paul and George wanted Pete out and Ringo in,it’s as simple as that. P.S.Great book by the way.

[@tonyvardy2399]

Ringo s contribution to the beatles is just as significant as the rest of the band

[@joymahiko]

After recently viewing 3 of Bests live performances there are obvious stylistic differences between him and Ringo. Ringo is much steadier, less busy, and consistent, whereas Best plays excessive crash cymbal parts that are not needed and tends to get in the way of the main vocal parts.

[@pedromanuel9581]

“We never rocked harder or sounded better than the Hamburg gigs” - John Lennon. (Paraphrasing). Pete Best was definitely a part of that “Best Sound” in Hamburg. After Pete Best, they went from a hardcore Proto-type punk/rock band to a highly commercialized (and extremely successful) Pop Band. Yes, absolutely… TWO different bands. You can definitely tell in the way John Lennon sometimes reminisced about the “old days” in Hamburg that he missed that “other” Beatles Rock Band. John was the purest rocker of all 4 Beatles

[@vinrusso821]

One, "Hamburg" sounded like an kid band that did covers. The actual Beatles that they became was the most trend setting, time changing original band in history. Lennon was a weird dude that said weird things.

[@klauskruger6187]

Hi there, I live in Hamburg St. Pauli. I know the places and I am very proud of the fact that here the Beatles learned their profession. It's a tough place. On weekends. But during the week it's like a little village. Come here and you will see. And by the way, your accent is very funny. So much different to the english I have learned in school. 😄

[@Jay-nq2jl]

The one thing I don’t understand is what happened if Martin didn’t like the other drummer anymore then Pete. That was a huge risk to take when you don’t even know. I think they were tired of Pete and heard this and said yea let’s dump him

[@meanderer06513]

If you were to tell Pete that, because he joined another group, HE ('legally') quit the band, and that he wasn't technically 'fired'...that would blow his entire narrative and kill the cash cow he's been lugging around since 1962.

[@dannyholmes2801]

Don't think Pete could be the emphasis of Hard Day's Night and Help. They had more than just the music. It clicked with Ringo. Glad to hear Pete made some hefty money from the Anthologies.

[@anthonyD2365]

What happened to Pete was horrible. And he had to deal with it, For the next nine years listening and watching them get bigger and better. I was so happy when he got his anthology money. But aside from that Ringo was better, I remember when I was a little kid Watching the Beatles play you’re gonna lose that girl and Ringo just had perfect timing, I remember watching the first Beatles concert from Washington when Ringo was playing out of his friggin mind. Fantastic. Yes Pete best got a raw deal but Ringo was funnier, fit in perfect with the other three. And a better drummer! Thank you God for The Beatles!

[@elementrypenguin3116]

There were other producers that didn’t think Pete was a very good drummer. Bert Kampfert was one of them.

[@Liddypool]

I have answered this one somewhere on this thread, but that comment isn't quite accurate. Kaempfert never worked with rock n roll drummers ever, so he asked Pete to play his snare and cymbal only. When you listen to Pete's drumming on My Bonnie is is incredible. No producer apart from George Martin ever mentioned a problem. Certainly not Mike Smith at Decca, who had no problem with Pete. In fact, Smith recorded with Pete the following year. So there was only George Martin, with Ron Richards, who had a problem. In fact, George Martin and Ron Richards similarly had a problem with Ringo and replaced Ringo with Andy White. So Pete and Ringo had the same problem with the same producer.

[@neonskyline1]

The irony of it is that they couldn't hear themselves and became a studio band, Pete was a live performer.People should shut their mouths calling Him, he WAS stabbed in the back regardless.

[@RawDaDa]

There are no loyalties when the smell of success is in the air.

[@Liddypool]

Exactly They had to be ruthless, it was their last chance of success. You cannot blame them for making that decision.

[@LeftyKen]

Just a couple of points to add to your piece. Harrison had been trying to get rid of Pete for some time but couldn't do it on his own so he set to work to enlist McCartney. Once he had done that, Lennon was brought on board. It looks to me as if Harrison really was jealous of Pete and his attraction to the girls. McCartney certainly was as his father complained to Pete about hogging all the tottie. Epstein had chanced his arm with Pete and been rebuffed and he also had a very bad relationship with Mona Best, Pete's mother who had handled the group's finances before Epstein arrived. So you have everyone connected to this group who all want Pete out for different reasons. The record deal just hurried things along.

[@Liddypool]

You make some good points Ken. There is no contemporaneous evidence to suggest George wanted rid of Pete - there is a letter from Hamburg where George talks about Pete drumming good. What is more clear is that when they decided to replace Pete after George Martin's comments, George pushed for Ringo, his friend. He convinced John and Paul that Ringo was the one to choose. The jealousy angle seems more Paul than anyone else and not come across a suggestion that George felt jealous. But those reasons, collectively, helped John Paul and George justify replacing Pete with another drummer, who ended up being Ringo.

[@muttsez]

and in the end, it was jealousy that got pete sacked because his ATOM BEAT rocked England for 2 years !

[@mikeymutual5489]

Congratulations for perpetuating baseless myths and lies surrounding Pete and the band. Something that this author is allegedly trying to stop. But there you go, keeping the lies and speculation going. Fool.

[@ianwoff7000]

Fascinating!

[@timberland451]

If Pete was such a great drummer, why did he end up working in a bakery ! There were plenty more bands in Liverpool.

[@wesleycook7687]

In Lennon's own words, he called Pete a lousy drummer. John's jealousy of Pete's looks was when Epstein was told to fire him. Lennon later said that they all were cowards for not telling Pete themselves. Ringo wasn't any better than Pete and he said so years later. Lots of groups used session drummers of course, the DC5 was one. Dave was in the booth while the songs were being recorded and he knew more about the music industry than most bands did. But as for Pete, Martin should have explained to the band and Epstein what they were doing . I don't think Martin actually had a part in it . I think it was all John Lennon.

[@1rwjwith]

Well certainly at the time August 1962 when Ringo replaced Pete Best, Pete was NOT a drummer who could cut it in the studio, not a drummer who you would call great by any means…The main thing to know is he only was asked to join in 1960 because they NEEDEDa drummer to get the first Hamburg gig. In fact by 1962 Pete may have still only been playing drums for maybe 3 years at most, regardless of whatever other cause there was The Beatles wanted RINGO who rose to the occasion and as you say was an innovator on their recordings , he was incredible. Pete of course finally got a big payday when the Anthology came out in the mid 90’s , good for him!

[@muttsez]

i know drum styles are a matter of taste, i prefer petes ATOM BEAT over ringos simplistic style.

[@prschuster]

What i heard was that Pete could only play one beat and, he wasn't creative like Ringo. Also, Ringo fit in personally. Ringo had a better personality, with his cheeky humor.

[@ruelitocayamanda8162]

It is always a different story playing on stage and playing in the studio. One can get away with a mistake or two on stage. But it won't do in the studio. Why do you think it takes so many takes to record one measly song?

[@johnsmith-wk2tb]

He was too up front and drew attention to the drums but Ringo backed them up.

[@clarkewi]

Pete Best was a good drummer for live gigs but Ringo was better and he was more fun to watch. And Ringo fit the group image better. Had the same quirky personality.

[@Liddypool]

Yes, Ringo also had a greater variety to his drumming, having started in skiffle, country, jazz and other styles. This made him more adaptable in the studio too and his personality certainly gelled with the other 3 too.

[@williardbillmore5713]

Beats per minute. Pete was always speeding up and slowing down. Ringo is a metronome.

[@mustafa1name]

First let me admit that David Bedford probably (definitely) knows a lot more than I do, and I respect his opinion. But!!! Was replacing drummers on pop records really "standard practice"? Surely only done if the drummer wasn't good enough? Ringo played on the records, even though George Martin didn't want him to, at first. It wasn't just one producer/engineer who didn't like Pete, Decca didn't like his playing either, I think one of them said he could find a better drummer in any pub in London, and the German producer on the Hamburg recordings took half his kit away, for some reason. John said they only took Pete on originally because they needed a drummer at short notice. John also said Pete was the only member of the band who didn't improve in Hamburg (even Stuart! Ouch!). Admittedly, John said a lot of things. Someone analysed Beatles early demos and found Pete's tempo varied a lot, Ringo's didn't, but most people would be nervous first time in a studio, so that is probably not as conclusive as it 'sounds'. Astrid said Pete's hair was too curly to allow the moptop look, which, I'm sure everyone can agree, is truly tragic. The most likely reason why he was replaced though, imo, is that his personality wasn't right - he didn't seem to hang out much with the others outside of gigs, and wasn't as quick-witted as them. The "sacking" was awkward for another reason too: Pete's best friend was the bands tour manager. He was also having an affair with Mona Best (Pete's mum). Having said all that, the Beatles were magically, mystically transformed as a group while Pete was in it, and no-one can ever take that away from him. It was a shame the way the Beatles shy away from some aspects of their past, but very pleasing that Pete eventually made a small fortune from Anthology. David's idea of thinking of the Beatles with Pete as a Rock n Roll band, transitioning to a pop band with Ringo, is superb analysis.

[@Liddypool]

Thanks for your comments especiallyon giving Pete credit for what he did. The problem is that certain authors have made some of these statements which skews the truth. Decca producer Mike Smith had no problem with Pete and even worked with him 12 months later. In Hamburg, The producer was famous for schlager music, easy listening, where drums were used as gentle rhythm. So Kaempfert asked Pete to only use his snare and hi hat to achieve that sound. When you analyse that with drummers, which is what I did for my book Finding the Fourth Beatle. I trusted drummers opinions as I am not a drummer. Pete's performance is incredible on My Bonnie. The guy who was dug up somewhere for the Decca comments was a junior tea maker or something who made some outrageous ridiculous comments to sound good. Evidence doesn't support him. On the Decca audition I again enlisted the help of 3 objective drummers who didn't have a bias, were of ages from 18 to 66 and they praised Pete's drumming! If you listen to the audition the problem is with Paul's vocals and George's guitar work. To answer the first point, yes it was very common practice for session musicians to be used on records, especially early in a group's career. Ringo suffered the same problem as Pete. His drumming was not what George Martin wanted so he replaced him with Andy White. Paul has said Ringo's timing wasn't so great at first but he soon found his rhythm and was so reliable after that. Bobby Graham, the first drummer asked to replace Pete, was one of the busiest session drummers ever. He played on about 15000 songs and on 50 #1 hits for groups like the Kinks, Dave Clark Five etc. But they had to keep it a secret. Some records had none of the group playing on them! So let's celebrate both Pete and Ringo. Ringo was the perfect man for the job and nobody could have done better. If you want the full story backed up with solid evidence and quotes, it is all in my book and too much to summarise here.

[@clayformations1638]

I wonder how the drummers who turned them down felt a few years later??? 🤣 I bet they ate their drumsticks!

[@mikeystheone]

i wonder if consideration was giving, to pete going Rory storm and was ringo not happy about being with rory

[@franktaconelli9095]

don’t need to watch this one; any musician with ears & good timing just has to listen to the available recordings of The Beatles with Pete…and I maintain that, if you have an opinion about Pete, you better be a musician…I have asked all my musician pals this question: based on his recorded performances with The Beatles, would you want him in your band? All of them answer ‘no’…the recording engineer in Hamburg took his bass drum away (explains the lack of bottom on those recordings), the guy at Decca told Brian he was no good, and George Martin hired session drummer Andy White for the first official recording (not realizing Pete had been fired) what else do you need to know?

[@muttsez]

why no one noticed the ATOM BEAT pete invented, so far ahead of the rest of the boys at the time....they didnt realize what they had until it was gone

[@franktaconelli9095]

@@muttsez you’re kidding right? Read my earlier comment; it’s all you need to know about Pete

[@muttsez]

@@franktaconelli9095 true story, true story

[@franktaconelli9095]

@@muttsez oh please; are you high? better yet are you a musician?

[@muttsez]

@@franktaconelli9095 both

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

Hello David. I'm wondering, is it your contention that the Fab 3 were not jealous of Pete?

[@richardchubb8504]

The Beatles were the worst band in Liverpool in the beginning. They couldn't get to Hamburg without a drummer. Pete Best accepted to play. They went to Hamburg and the rest is history. So in the end, if it wasnt for Pete, The Beatles wouldn't have made it. Thank you Pete.

[@thesonforgives3249]

What about John Lennon, who went on microphone publicly and said that Pete Best was a horrible drummer and they were only using him until they got somebody else. ? ? ? I heard the audio of John Lennon directly!

[@muttsez]

YEA...BUT WHAT DOES JOHN KNOW ABOUT DRUMMING....NUTHIN'

[@nigellee9824]

Bobby Graham...tuning down money, fame and history...smart move..

[@yell50]

So best was cheated out of the Beatles because legally they could not sack him wow that is a revelation so they fooled him into leaving now that puts a different light on the whole subject of Pete best.

[@Liddypool]

Yes, they tricked him to get him out quickly. He still wouldnthave played with them again, but, as they said later, the way they handled it was not good, they were "cowards".

[@Ocelot1962]

I listened to the whole Beatles oeuvre, including their early years with Pete Best at the drum kit. I ran out and bought the Decca Tapes audition it was released in the 1980s because I wanted to know what Pete sounded like. I've also listened to Pete during his time with the All Stars. I'm not a musician, but anyone with two good ears can hear why the reason The Beatles sacked him. He was serviceable on Like Dreamers Do, but only that. On everything else his timing was chronically off, especially on the bass drum. His work on with the All Stars is a sloppy mess, like dishwater in the ear canals. The Beatles didn't sound like The Beatles until they replaced Pete with Ringo. Pete was holding them back. He was a lousy drummer, and that's the painful truth. If you want to get to the technical details of this, then I refer you to this KZbin video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIaWkmSams6ZY9k Look, he's lovely guy, a gent with a kind heart. He found his niche with the Civil Service as an employment counsellor at a Job Centre. From what I understand, he was very good at it. He worked at it for 20 years and retired with a pension. He's been married to the same woman for over 50 years and has two daughters and grandchildren. My cousins live in Liverpool, and they tell me he is known and loved by his community. As far as his career and his life goes, he is a very successful man. His strength is working with people. But as a drummer for The Beatles? No, that wasn't his place. You either have the talent for it or you don't, and he didn't and still doesn't.

[@johnszczybor4509]

Pete could barely keep a simple beat, listen to the Decca audition. As for the other three being jealous, not possible considering how tight they were. Pete was just a hired hand to do a job. Also watch Pete on I've got a secret, he himself said he left the band because he didn't think they would make it. So I don't pity him for the way it turned out for him

[@Liddypool]

Sorry, but I cannot agree that Pete couldn't even keep a simple beat. I've played with many drummers, including those who struggled to keep time. If they can't do it, the band doesn't work and you replace them. Pete spent hundreds of hours playing with the Beatles and if he couldn't keep a simple beat he would have been out very quickly. He wasn't. If you listen to Decca, overall, Pete performs better than John, Paul or George who were shocking. As it is so subjective, for my book "Finding the Fourth Beatle", i got 3 drummers, with no bias, to listen to Pete's drumming on the Decca audition. They surprised me with the feedback on the variety and quality of Pete's drumming. Listen to "My Bonnie". His drumming is perfectly in time and the speed of his drum rolls on the snare is incredible. Unfortunately, some Beatles historians and so-called experts have tried to decry Pete's ability for whatever reason. That's why I sought out the opinions of objective drummers. John, Paul and George obviously had to play down Pete's ability to justify supporting and recruiting Ringo. Again, I will also reiterate. They needed someone of Ringo's quality and experience for the group they were becoming and I still don't think Ringo gets the credit he deserves. But it is possible to like them both and give credit to Pete for what he did in those 2 years with the Beatles.

[@jasona9]

John Szczybor, None of the Beatles played particularly well during the Decca audition, yet Pete is the ONLY one that gets singled out. BTW, on the TV Show I've Got a Secret, Pete was told what to say. The TRUTH was spun by TV producers and writers so neither side would get hurt.

[@muttsez]

why pity him....hes rich in both cash & life

[@ktcarl]

Mr. Liddypool, George Martin is on video saying that Pete Best couldn't keep time very well. The Beatles auditioned for Martin without any session drummer. After Martin heard them is when he decided to use a session drummer. Martin also told Epstein that he didn't care if Best was used when The Beatles were on stage but that he would use a session drummer in the studio. There are 3 other studio producers and engineers that didn't like Pete Best's drumming.....in the studio. B-T-W, I still like your videos. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIaWkmSams6ZY9k

[@julianho7672]

Pete got a drumkit & Ringo got a drum beats........................................

[@danielfisch389]

In addition to this video, here are John‘s comments on Pete: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWWUlWBoot9_rNk

[@kenneth2656]

It's a shame Pete didn't realise at the time he couldn't be sacked and said to Epstein ill move aside as long as I have in writing that I'm still a partner and get paid my partners share go all further earnings,

[@Liddypool]

The sad thing was that Pete did take legal advice and a solictor repeatedly tried to sue Brian for wrongful dismissal. Brian, as I have proved, couldn't be sued because he didn't employ The Beatles. They employed him. Now if he had had good legal advice, who knows what would have happened?

[@johnsergei]

@@Liddypool Interesting, but probably not much (would have happened). Nobody expected them to be music superstars by 1963 & considering the attitude towards Pete, by the other Beatles, I'm almost certain they'd have found a way to dump him. They may not have been able to use the name Beatles, but if Please Please me was recorded by The Thunderites, would it have made any difference??? No way would they want Pete's fingers in their multi million $ pie. & though Pete is a nice guy, I don't blame the other Beatles.

[@shb7772000if]

One thing not mentioned here, is that sex appeal is important for a band. You watch the early American concerts, and almost all the fans were female, screaming about the Beatles appearance. And Pete was the best looking Beatle, whereas Ringo was the worst. Maybe the producers didn't like Pete's drumming, but did any fans ever complain about it. The caravan club fans protested when pete was fired.

[@Liddypool]

That was a huge factor in Liverpool and Hamburg for The Beatles. Pete had legions of screaming fans and Brian Epstein had to employ a bodyguard to keep him safe! Lots of protests against the decision and Ringo had a hard time initially. Nobody could understand it in Liverpool. But that was an asset to the group and none of the others ever felt jealous as such, though Paul's dad did tell Pete off for taking all the attention one night in Manchester when Pete got mobbed by fans. It wasn't as if Pete went looking for it, it was just part of that early Beatlemania.

[@muttsez]

'CUZ THEY KNOW A GREAT DRUMMER WHEN THEY HEAR ONE !

[@muttsez]

thats right ! another vote for ATOM BEAT PETE !

[@tonyfordgolf9438]

Pete bashed the drums! Ringo played them!

[@edwardrossman9448]

Ringo was a more talented multi faceted individual.

[@Liddypool]

He was the perfect foil to the other 3 and had much more variety to his drumming skills having played in skiffle groups and all age entertainment at Butlins.

[@christophpeschel3848]

1:55 EMI had to my knowlege an Employmentgaranty for their own Sessenmusicians. Thats absolutely Illeagal these days. Don't sighn Contracts with studios, wich replace the bands musicians!

[@raider-d2843]

Pete's mom also had a place to play so

[@JoggoJuniorMan]

Pete was not a good enough drummer. There's nothing daft about it, and no mystery. There are recordings with him and his playing is dull, unsteady and unimaginitive. For a professional band that's disastrous. Lennon did say they were at their best in those gigs, but he was also irritated to have to go back to Hamburg in '62 before going back to EMI, and in the 70's he said that Pete was a "lousy drummer". He had no reason to talk bad about him and the recordings from Decca support this. About George Martin using a session drummer, yes that was indeed standard practice. So what? It was also standard practice to use a whole band made of session musicians for the backing tracks. But the Beatles were no standard band and they wanted to be the same band on the record as on stage. Because they had that much integrity, and because they were that good.

[@craig7350]

I heard he quit.

[@dmlevitt]

you are gonna explain it to me. the whole post is about you getting your face on the internet. sad. this is all common knowledge.

[@Liddypool]

I don't need to, I'm a well established author and historian so I don't have any need like that. And the information I have shared has been revealed for the first time in my book after years of research. So I'm not sure what your point is. Maybe watch it again?

[@edwardrossman9448]

People expect a young talent to improve but Pete didnt in the words of John.

[@muttsez]

YEA....BUT WHAT DOES JOHN KNOW ABOUT DRUMMING........NOTHIN'

[@iblacka1]

John said he sucked as a drummer on a KZbin video. Ringo was not much better.

[@muttsez]

no, john and the others were jealous. its a proven fact.

[@bernardbarroga1497]

It’s a plain and simple JEALOUSY !! The 3 are jealous of Pete’s popularity. That’s it!🙄

[@Liddypool]

That is a factor, but it is a secondary factor, like him being "quiet" or "shy", or not mixing with them. They aren't a primary reason to get rid of a bandmate. It all comes back to George Martin and his comments on 6th June after the Parlophone audition. That was a musical decision.

[@edwardrossman9448]

Was George Martin jealous too ?

[@muttsez]

@@edwardrossman9448 YES...LIKE EVERYONE WHOS AROUND PETE

[@muttsez]

finally...someone who knows the REAL truth ! petes drumming was/is FAB !

[@muttsez]

@@Liddypool for ALL the wrong reasons, even george martin didnt catch on to petes famous ATOM BEAT !

[@obugger]

1. We know Pete Best was a crap drummer because a) we can listen to the recordings eg Decca tapes b) the three professional producers - Bert Kampfert, Dick Rowe and George Martin - who heard Pete, all rejected or restricted him. c) The other three Beatles have said so. 2. George Martin didn't audition The Beatles, they were already under contract to EMI before they met. The Beatles first visit to Abbey Road was for their first recording session.

[@Liddypool]

Did you ever see him play? I have spoken to many people who did, including drummers, who said he was a very good drummer, especially live. John Paul and George also said he was a good live drummer. Pete's drumming on the Decca tapes isn't bad. In fact, he was one of the best on the day. Dick Rowe never turned him down. Mike Smith had to choose whether to sign the Beatles or the Tremeloes and chose the latter. Smith later recorded Pete for Decca in 63 and 64, so he wasn't rejected. Kaempfert didn't restrict Pete - that is a myth. The other 3 Beatles of course said these things in hindsight because they had Ringo. It was George Martin who when he said he would use a session drummer that ended Pete's career, though he never suggested getting rid of him. They weren't under contract on 6th June 62 and I have proved that with evidence from a top lawyer. All of this and more is in my book, Finding the Fourth Beatle with evidence. And Pete was never sacked/ fired. Proved that one too. However, what I also conclude is that, with the Beatles changing to a recording pop group, Ringo's versatility was better suited and he was the perfect replacement and, for some reason, Ringo is still underrated. I show, again with evidence, why Ringo was one of the greatest drummers ever. You can like them both.

[@ktcarl]

@@Liddypool Where did John, Paul and George say Pete was a good live drummer? George Martin also said that Pete couldn't keep time very well and that the Beatles needed a drummer to tighten them up. Go watch the film 'The Compleat Beatles'. You may have some good info on the mechanics of how they got rid of him because of contractual commitment butttttt...I could doubt you and believe you are incorrect about that also.

[@ktcarl]

O'Boogie - You are more correct than Liddy. Even Tony Sheridan said, "Pete was a crap drummer. You can take my word for it. He was just not confident." And that was after the recording sessions for 'My Bonnie". Tony Sheridan also said in another video that Bert Kampfert took away the bass drum and toms and left Pete with the snare and cymbals. You left off the 4th producer, Mike Savage - Session Engineer, whom said, "You could pick up a better drummer in any pub in London." You also left out Ron Richards, who was an assistant to George Martin, that said, "Pete wasn't very good....We've got to change this drummer." All this info that is out there to check out makes this video another painful watch in the growing myth of Pete Best. O'Boogie...check out this video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIaWkmSams6ZY9k

[@Liddypool]

@@ktcarl Thanks for your comments. I have studied every word said about this event over and over. Paul McCartney told Mark Lewisohn in 1987 "George Martin took us aside and said, "I'm not happy about the drummer." He said, "Can you change your drummer?" and we said, "Well, we're quite happy with him and he works great in the clubs." (Complete Beatles Recording Sessions) For Anthology, Paul remembered when it came to making the decision to change drummers. "No! We can't. It was one of those terrible things you go through as kids. Can we betray him? No. But our career was on the line." Seems quite clear to me. The Beatles sound was based on driving rock n roll, with a strong dominant back beat provided by Pete Best. But they were changing and had to change to get that contract and career. I believe that Ringo was the only drummer who could have done that, and now he is finally getting the recognition he deserves.

[@ktcarl]

@@Liddypool Lennon is on record saying Pete "was a lousy drummer". Obviously Pete couldn't hack it in the studio since 4 different producers said Pete was inadequate. Martin says in the film 'Compleat Beatles' that Pete couldn't keep time very well and would provide a session drummer for the Beatles' recordings. Martin DID tell Epstein that he could do whatever he wanted with Pete on stage. Martin didn't recommend firing Pete. But when you have 4 studio producers say the drummer is inadequate you have a problem and The Beatles took care of it. IMO, they waited too late to fire Pete. The timing made them look bad. They should have made the move to get Ringo sooner. Anyway, Pete was doomed to eventually not be a Beatle. Watch this video on Pete's firing. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIaWkmSams6ZY9k

[@phantomstrangermedia]

This is a fairytale. Pete Best was DEMONSTRABLY an incredibly poor drummer - he struggled to keep time & had minimal talent. Listen to the recordings. Ringo was a machine - tireless, innovative, inventive & yet also able to fit in with the other Beatles. Dumping Pete Best was necessary. He was NOT a great drummer unless you are deaf & incapable of appreciating rhythm.

[@fullcircle3357]

So many lies have been told about this I'm not sure anyone knows the truth and it's irrelevant now.

[@thekitowl]

This isn’t the hole truth either.

[@Liddypool]

We now know the why it was done and how it was done and when it was done. Not much more to discover now.

[@muttsez]

the truth is, he was sacked 'cuz the other members were JEALOUS ! !

[@thomascumberton9827]

Ringgit was not top drummer never was lots out there leave him far behind

[@thomascumberton9827]

Shame on them I think Pete was better drummer not only did they sack him snobbed him for life

[@fenian123]

Just being associated with the Beatles raised his profile a thousand percent, If he had been that good, top bands would have been clamoring for him. He would playing for people like Winwood, Clapton, Spencer Davis, John Mayall etc

[@HonkyReduction-b2g]

Pete Best is an awful drummer and his personality didn't fit the others. Ringo is one of the greatest drummers of all time with timelessly inventive drum parts and his personality matched the others. One slight change in events could alter the course of history. They might not have made it big with Pete Best in the band. No one would've guessed that The Beatles would be that big. Pete's got nothing be upset about.

[@JeniPugh]

❤l😊😮😅😂😢❤😊 love you hahaha Jeni pugh Love ya guys 💞💋💞❤ sir Paul McCartney Beatles George Harrison and Ringo John Lennon Paul McCartney Beatles song songs 💋 awesome thanks ❤ Big fan of Paul McCartney Beatles Ringo Paul McCartney Beatles ❤.

[@markstevens1729]

Poorly conceived revisionist history on Pete. Listen back to back to versions of Love Me Do, one with Pete, one with Ringo. No contest. Pete sucked. Plodding 4/4 and no flair. Ringo was and is brilliant as a drummer. Didn’t you know that Ringo was also in Hamburg, putting in those hours? That Ringo had far more than two years experience when he joined the Beatles? You don’t mention Stu Sutcliffe in that early line up. There are very well researched tomes on the history of the Beatles, perhaps read a few. There is no need for muddling the water with poorly conceived content on one of the best documented phenomenons in modern history. There is nothing referring toPete as a full Beatle partner. In fact the only reference to it anywhere is your own. The chances of you having exclusive access to this fact do not compute for me.

[@Ukraineaissance2014]

Its not nonsense that Pete couldnt play. He cant play. Watch some of his videos.

[@muttsez]

I HAVE WATCHED ALL OF PETES VIDS...WHATS NOT TO LIKE ?

[@muttsez]

I've watched them all and petes ATOM BEAT is unsurpassed !

[@davedoogan6650]

No other band employed him,...that proves that he was a crap drummer .

[@muttsez]

no, all that proves is those bands dont know a GR8 drummer when they hear one.

[@johnlander4635]

A few points. Beatles were a nothing band in 1962 so Pete Best leaving was no big deal. Drummers were ten a penny so again Ringo was no big deal. The only issue here is that some unknown band called the Beatles would become big and famous years later. This was certainly not the case in 1962. What did exactly Ringo contribute? Singing Yellow Submarine? He fitted into the Dynamic of the Beatles but he played no part in the art of the Beatles. He was just there. So the idea that they panicked and ditched Best makes sense to me. And Ringo wasn't even their first choice.

[@muttsez]

or their last....ordinary at best

[@angelicaquirarte]

Exactly