The Beatles Live Manchester 1962

The Beatles
John Lennon: Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
Paul McCartney: Bass/Vocals
George Harrison: Lead Guitar /Vocals
Pete Best: Drums
7 March 1962 - Wednesday BBC Playhouse Theatre St. John's Road Hulme, Manchester
This is The Beatles' debut radio appearance.
It also marked the first time they were seen publicly in their new Beno Dorn suits.
1- Dream Baby
2-Memphis, Tennessee
3-Please Mr. Postman
11 June 1962 - Monday BBC Playhouse Theatre Manchester
The Beatles performed "Ask Me Why", "Besame Mucho" and "A Picture Of You". The program was broadcast 15 June. It was The Beatles' second BBC performance.
1-Ask Me Why
2-A Picture Of You
3-Besame Mucho

[@hakanergul]

0:08 Dream Baby 2:03 Memphis, Tennessee 4:31 Please Mr. Postman 6:46 Ask Me Why 9:16 A Picture Of You 11:44 Besame Mucho

[@mandypainise1949]

Thank you! 😄

[@hakanergul]

@@mandypainise1949 You are welcome :)

[@cenajohn5589]

appreciate it boss !

[@hakanergul]

@@cenajohn5589 thanks

[@brez9091]

So cool...Thank You!

[@billparandes2486]

I love all the speculation and questions concerning Pete. My friends and I have known Pete and his band for a long time, we've played with him, partied and hung here on this side of the pond. Our band (the mockers) opened for him twice, it was all just fun. At a party in NH after a show Pete and I had a few whiskies and he talked about John and Hamburg and some of the early stuff. Pete never held a grudge, never disparaged the Boys. I'm just lucky to know him! And he has a T shirt, it says "I am not Ringo". Bless you Pete, have fun!

[@magneto7930]

Seriously? I would have been honored to meet him. He is obviously a very likable human being. I'm a little sick and tired of people finding it necessary to hate on him in order to justify Ringo's position in the Beatles. Thank you for sharing that story, it was greatly appreciated!

[@christopherseat9871]

That's so cool He's the Atomic Beat 🤘🤘✊✊✊♥️♥️🥁🥁🔊🔊☢🇬🇧

[@charwest9449]

Aw, great story! Pete sounds like a great guy! Love his-shirt -- he's got a good sense of humor. Pete Best (and his mom, Mona) will always be a beloved part of The Beatles' story.

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

Since you've actually heard Pete play, tell us, do you personally buy the narrative that John, Paul, and George sacked Pete over his alleged lack of drumming ability? Or, do you think it must've been some other reason--ranging from just liking Ringo (who'd sit in for Pete a few times) better, to pure jealousy that Pete got all the hottest girls and the band was becoming known in Liverpool (after they returned from Germany) as, "Pete Best & The Beatles"?

[@RockinRobin411]

@@Cosmo-Kramer The thing about knowing Pete Best in more recent years vs. when he was with the Beatles is people change, both as people and as musicians.

[@maggierae9918]

John and Paul's voices sound so young and fresh. They were a great band.

[@garethb1961]

@Queens Logic It's not bogus! There are bogus videos - and they are easy for a Beatlemaniac to spot - but this is legitimate. Some very clever recordings surfacing ARE the Beatles, but with added instruments, vocals etc.

[@ReviewsChannel-e4r]

It sounds very different than when they began harmonizing. That's when their sound really took off. Timeless!

[@holliebryan7509]

Aren't we all so very lucky that someone had the sense to record this, save it and then share it with us all. The most interesting part of the whole story is pre 1963!

[@grouchosays]

Amazing. Hardly anyone was recording back then.

[@d.arnoldmarshall2100]

It was for BBC. BBC recorded it

[@magneto7930]

This is a BBC recording, naturally they recorded it to air it on the radio.

[@tannwich5350]

@@d.arnoldmarshall2100 Did not know they were "discovered" this early.

[@raymondullmer2222]

It's a performance for the BBC. But this is surely recorded by someone taping the radio show. The BBC transcription disks for broadcast elsewhere in the world (the primary source for high quality BBC songs) would never sound as bad as this. But when you consider these live performances were unique and went away forever, Im sure many were rolling tape at home. But not so much in '62. So yeh, we are fortunate to have this.

[@ColossusRhodes]

Man that's a rocking cover of Please Mr. Postman.

[@scottmoyer1357]

They played it quite fast....could be the uppers they used to take to stay up long hours doing extended gigs.

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

@@scottmoyer1357 They were rockers, it was their style to play fast. "Mach schau!"

[@andrewhudson8966]

The first airing of a Tamra Motown song on the B.B.C.

[@charwest9449]

Pete Best (and his mom, Mona) will always be a beloved part of The Beatles' story. They were THERE when The Beatles needed to stay together and go to the next level.

[@christopherseat9871]

👉🇬🇧🇬🇧🤘🤘✊✊ CHEERS...WELL SAID MATE‼🤘🤘🖤🖤

[@charwest9449]

@@christopherseat9871 thanks!!

[@jasona9]

I enjoyed reading Pete's autobiography. Pete is the misunderstood Beatle. He and his mother did a lot to help the Beatles on their amazing journey, things the average Beatles fan has no idea about.

[@charwest9449]

@@jasona9 Yes! And I think the thing that rankles is that, unlike the other early members who drifted away or decided themselves to leave, Pete did not leave. He performed a vital role for years and then at the brink of success was just told to leave. Unwillingly. He should have sued for one amazing severance package, and I'm talking millions. He wasn't fired because he wasn't good, but because they'd found someone they thought would be better or fit better. If that happened in any other industry, firing without specific cause, it would never fly without huge compensation.

[@charwest9449]

@@jasona9 Arguably, without the Casbah, the early Beatles may have drifted apart.

[@paulnicosia8804]

I saw Pete in a recent interview, and he was asked if he regretted joining The Beatles, given the crap he's had to deal with. His answer was an immediate no......I was the drummer in the beginning of the biggest band in the world. How can you regret that? Enough said.

[@christopherseat9871]

🤘✊🇬🇧‼🥀

[@magneto7930]

Bless his heart, he's definitely a great guy!

[@Harriet-Jesamine]

We love Ringo.. But we love Pete also He was a Beatle, nuff said!

[@matthewgiffin]

Yep, that's a great response by Pete and true. He helped bring them a long way.

[@Marco-HidalgoMusicRecords]

It´s a pretty stupid question I think!!!! Who would regret joining The Beatles!! It´s like asking Stuart "Did you regret playing with John Paul and George!!! lmao

[@johnandrews1780]

I saw the Pete Best band a few years ago at a local recoed store that has shows. Alot of fun. They did songs that the Beatles did with Pete and performed songs off their new record. I bought a reprint of the Hamburg railroad poster and had Pete sign it. I now have a Beatles autograph! Pete was was very nice and engaging.

[@denisemarie3510]

I got to meet and watch them perform in 2007. Pete was so soft spoken and polite. Seemed like such a nice guy. An experience I will never forget.

[@allancerf9038]

john's singing is simply awesome in this show.

[@charwest9449]

before Yoko and heroin and macrobiotic diets

[@paultaylor4647]

Allan Cerf He was by far the best singer in the band although Paul was pretty good and George and Ringo could hold a tune too!

[@hectorrodriguez7002]

You noticed, it wasnt untill later that John began to have his voice distorted on recordings.

[@Rockstaralan]

Agreed! John's vocals here are definitely full of fire and 100% ON POINT!

[@ewest14]

@@paultaylor4647 Paul was the best singer. He could sing anything

[@vashna3799]

If I could go back in time to see the Beatles live it would be 1962, before they became huge.

[@marksitts2290]

That would make a good Quantum Leap Episode where Sam leaps into Peter Best in 1961.

[@justinuptonn261]

shit you could probably hire them for your wedding in 1961 1964? not so much

[@Pharoset]

Yeah, whatever...

[@Pharoset]

Stormy Hawk: If I could go back to before Bitcoin became huge, it would be in 2010 when each Bitcoin was $10.00.

[@justinuptonn261]

@@marksitts2290 youre right surprised they never thought of that

[@larryfine4950]

We love you Pete and Ringo and Stu too!

[@claudioperotti9439]

Wow! The guitar work on "Ask Me Why" is amazing. George 's phrasing with the tremolo bar, is a tribute to both Hank Marvin and Duane Eddy..

[@bobwerber2984]

Good call that's great playing

[@larrylewis5721]

Not to forget Chet Atkins, of whom George was a huge fan, even playing Gretsch guitars. Also, just in the spirit of accuracy, it's called a vibrato bar.

[@enteecee.]

@@larrylewis5721 Yes, Chet Atckins I think is who George was really trying to channel - much as Paul was channeling Orbison. That's what young bands do. You try to be like your heroes till you find your own signature in the differences and then punch those up. And, just in the spirit of accuracy, it's called a vibrato bar... but also a whammy bar, vibrato arm, and yes; vibrato bar.

[@martshankleman]

@@larrylewis5721 in uk it’s a tremolo arm

[@paulallen3557]

That's what we called it in Eastern Kentucky back in the '60's, a tremelo arm. I still call a Bigsby a "tremolo."

[@totaltwit]

I think it's rather cruel and un-necessary to say nasty things towards Pete Best, I'm sure he carries his own burden on the matter, leave him alone. Bands start up with the people available and interested at the time, band members then tend to change due to many reasons. It just so happens this was one of the biggest high profile changes ever. Leave Pete alone, think more he was a part of launching the ship. Luv him for that.

[@RoxxHoffner]

Totaltwit, right on.

[@toms4442]

I always tell people he was a b e a t l e for two years, which is 2 years longer than anybody else outside of John Paul George and Ringo! LOL!

[@evetsnitram8866]

The only criticism I'd give Pete is that he didn't use his cymbals. Ringo was all over his cymbals! Pete's timing was great and that let the other Beatles learn their craft.

[@garrymcarthur9853]

Double right on,totalwit,high five! That poor fucker has had to endure ridicule from Lennon AND Faul/Paul for 50 fFKN years! He’s now reduced in his senior years to peddling a book about THOSE days!! To make ends meet

[@mickavellian]

As a drummer I agree. Pete could NOT have fooled the other Beatles into thinking he was any good, because NO OTHER band in Liverpool wanted him. But his MOM did have a small night club (Casbah) in which The Beatles were the home band. You may now connect the dots.

[@FultonCalvery]

Great singing and playing. Pete has his place in rock history. Ringo also has his place.

[@tbx59]

Pete had his place, and Ringo took his place.

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

Yeah, Ringo's place is in the backstabbing Hall of Fame.

[@maggierae9918]

Paul's voice sounds a lot like Elvis' voice on Dream Baby. Man he was so talented back then as just a young kid.

[@liverpix]

Think he was trying to sound like Roy Orbison who also sang the song.

[@TallRingo]

Nope. That’s the Beatles. And that’s Paul trying to sound like Roy.

[@FenderBassMustang]

Paul definitely sounds like Roy Orbison on that song, but also a bit like Elvis as well. I always thought Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley had similar vocal styles. And doesn't John sound a lot like Buddy Holly on "Memphis"? And yes I know it's a Chuck Berry song.

[@mgconlan]

@FAB4 At first I thought it was Orbison's record they were playing as an intro. Orbison was a major influence on the Beatles; the song "Please Please Me" was originally a ballad patterned after Orbison's "Only the Lonely" until, after George Martin rejected it, John decided to speed it up and turn it into the rocker that became the Beatles' first British #1 hit. And of course George Harrison eventually got to record with Orbison in the Traveling Wilburys.

[@pepeladdrockperuano]

Actually when he wasn't rocking, Elvis always tried to sing like Roy Orbison.

[@terencehennegan1439]

Whatever one thinks about Mr Pete Best you have to admire his self respect, courage and genuineness under the immense pressure of being dismissed from The Beatles, many would have caved in. Here is a man who took it on the chin and got on with his life without self pity. He comes over as being a decent man. Get over it, he did long ago.

[@patuberTV]

I attended a Beatle convention that Pete appeared at, and during the Q&A a person stood up and simply said, "I never been in the same room with a Beatle, thanks Pete!" The whole place cheered and Pete's expression was priceless, a mixture of surprise and pleasure.

[@hectorrodriguez7002]

It's been said that Pete did have a bad time with it all for a time but eventually went on and did end up receiving royalties for his part in the anniversary sets, in the millions.

[@MDBellamy]

Absolutely agree with you. None of us should judge, I think, until we've walked in his shoes. Personally, I can't imagine ever getting past that enormous (and apparently cowardly) snub by the "boys". Pete Best seems to have forgiven, which makes me rate him very highly indeed.

[@robertoverta4489]

100% agreed

[@allancerf9038]

He tried but failed to end his life. Chance saved him - thank God. He's a good bloke.

[@norbert967]

I'm glad that three of The Beatles are still alive.

[@michaelandrew964]

3?

[@tunggulbawono7059]

@@michaelandrew964 Paul, Ringo and Pete

[@jenniferw4068]

Pete and Billy and Ringo. Only Pete is an original.

[@mez5590]

@@jenniferw4068 Billy? lol

[@geniousgeorge4973]

@@jenniferw4068 watch the real paul mccartney and tourists on KZbin there are still 4 and possibly six ! Watch the silverbeatles on youtube.

[@peterbland7227]

Their harmonies are spot on already.

[@jorgeb555]

That Italian guy on YT who posts all those how to sing Beatles harmonies videos mentioned in a video that someone who played with them in Hamburg made the same observation; that is that they were ALREADY very good at singing harmonies in ‘62. 😬

[@michaelepp6212]

​@@jorgeb555Galeazzo Frudua

[@rosemarie92123]

Just when you think you have heard all the songs, you get this, great post. Jt from mex

[@brendanwalsh108]

Pete Best contributed a lot to the Beatles sound and image during the period he spent with them. They grew from a rag tag outfit into a band that had enormous popularity in Liverpool and Hamburg who were then able to attract a manager and a record contract. Clearly Ringo replacing him was the right thing to do but let's not overlook Pete's invaluable contribution.

[@crazmos]

The argument can be made, No Pete, No Beatles. They could not keep drummers and they needed one desperately in order to go to Hamburg. Pete answered the call with days to spare before departure. He stayed with the band from anonymity to the brink of fame. He logged more time in live gigs than Ringo. Maybe the magical 10,000 hours. He and his mother managed a lot of the gigs for the band, stored their gear at Hayman's Green as well as provided a place to play when they returned from Hamburg, the Casbah. The Best family cannot be removed from the Beatles story.

[@UAL320]

Both comments ⬆️ spot on….Pete was critical to the “incubation” of this band well before the stage where anyone cared if he could keep perfect, metronome-like time. The girls/fans that were buying more and more tickets for the shows certainly didnt care…..

[@G8GT364CI]

Pete sucked, they're lucky to have been able to stay together, he was a basher, sounds like he's doing a continuous (bad) solo, no wonder no one wanted to play bass. Listen how bad he was on Ask Me Why, he destroyed the song, sounds like a cha cha. 🤣

[@lostindesperation]

​@@G8GT364CI he was no good drummer indeed, but he had an important part in getting the banda together

[@G8GT364CI]

@@lostindesperation Well he was all they could get at the last minute to be able to play in Germany so I guess that's something.

[@rupertbeehsley1680]

I was in a “beat group” in 1962, I think we all played the same set, thousands of bands all across the country, lots of gigs, lots of bedford vans, lots of beer, lots of ciggies. So lucky to have lived then rather than now.

[@marceloperigolo3576]

Pete's atomic beat is great. Good to listen to, great rock.

[@christineklinger]

Long live The Beatles and their music forevermore.

[@patrickbuzzo1970]

John Paul George Stuart Pete Ringo 🎵🎵🎵

[@jaymoore2738]

Can't believe I haven't heard these before.Thanks FerOlve5.

[@deepwater2652]

Love George's guitar riffs!

[@timburr4453]

Have to say I love A Picture of You. It's a cover but it sounds so damn Beatle-ish. Just puts you in a mood to reminisce about old lost love.

[@d.arnoldmarshall2100]

I really like the audience reaction when the announcer mention Joe Brown.. George handles very nicely antiques drumming isn't too bad

[@gordonovenshine6968]

Pete sounds good on Please Mr. Postman and Ask Me Why. I personally think he was screwed over.

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

Pete was betrayed by John, Paul and George over petty jealousy of his immense popularity with the fans, club owners, and the press. They replaced him with Ringo...the shortest, scrawniest, ugliest drummer with adequate skills they knew of...because Ringo wouldn't threaten any of their desired positions in the band. With Pete gone, John would be the face/leader of the band, Paul would be the cute one, and George would be elevated from being the 4th Beatle to the 3rd Beatle. But don't take it from me, listen to this eye/ear witness. 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.

[@carlosantuckwell]

I love the way Paul sings Besame Mucho in full operatic voice for a few bars in the Let It Be movie.

[@smarkmalark]

Pete really doesn’t sound that terrible here compared to the awful demos he did. Being a drummer myself even through the bad quality he really seemed to serve the song. He did good enough at the time is all and it ain’t that terrible

[@garyconnor910]

Imagine playing a long Gig at the Cavern on the 30th of December,10 hours in the back of an unheated van with equipment on 31 Dec with more than a few drinks with the boys that night..and then coming in to the Decca Studios the morning of January 1st 1962. First thing at EMI studios has George Martin giving Pete Best a different arragement of love me do to play with zero rehearsal time. . Maybe a game he played on bands to be able to use the stable of Session drumers he had under contract and liked to use.

[@G8GT364CI]

He still sucked, he was a basher with absolutely no finesse. I'm a bass player, no thanks. 🤣

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

@@G8GT364CI Yeah, he's really "bashing" those drums on, "Ask Me Why". GTFOH Pete had plenty of finesse, whenever it was called for.

[@jorgeb555]

Agreed. He sounds fine.

[@grouchosays]

@@jorgeb555 I think he is too damn loud on the bass drum. Can’t hear anything else he’s playing IF he’s playing anything else.

[@haysfordays]

Oh, man. Picture oF You......I just happen to love all of George's covers from the pre-fame days....and after!

[@artofnoly9754]

So much for Pete not being tight on drums... in truth they were all bit raw (in this live recording) but that's great for the energy of live performance... it's what makes it... anything could happen!!!

[@garyconnor910]

Totally agree! There was a reason all of the Liverpool Drummers were copying him.

[@rthrth2802]

I’ve never heard this and never knew it existed. Cool thanks 🙏

[@martshankleman]

The Beatles covering ‘Picture of You’ what a treat. George evens nails Joe Brown’s guitar solo. No wonder they stayed mates.

[@robgo5869]

Nice you knew that it was Joe Brown's song which was his first hit song. Joe and George shared a love of the ukelele, which Joe Brown later made his career with and ended the tribute Concert for George playing a Ukelele and singing I'll See you in My Dreams.

[@d.arnoldmarshall2100]

Joe Brown was obviously very popular in Manchester from the audience reaction to his name

[@martshankleman]

@@d.arnoldmarshall2100 I suspect he was bigger than the Beatles at this time. ‘Picture of You’ was big hit, and he was shortly to star in a movie. ‘What a Crazy World We’re living In’

[@n.g.a.e.g.4534]

Great playing by George all around

[@jasona9]

Paul sounds GREAT singing Roy Orbison! I wish they had covered Sweet Dreams on one of there albums.

[@Maverikk68]

Would have loved for the Beatles to have recorded an Elvis song on an album with Paul singing.

[@gostrum1]

He’s really imitating Orbison in those early days.

[@tonypurcell1049]

Has a boy in the sixties The Beatles were introduced as John, George Paul and Ringo and we loved them as that. With the benefit of modern technology we now know the story of Pete Best's involvement, but no one knows how history would have changed if the chemistry was altered. All I know is that John, George, Paul and Ringo were the best band ever....and the rest is history.

[@mithrasenkidu9423]

Great early recordings! Thanks for sharing!

[@purplecreamband]

Pete was a great drummer and I know the truth why he was replaced but for common decency I cannot say it here

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

Lol..."common decency"?? What on earth are you talking about???

[@rafaelhernandez8134]

Soy de Veracruz México sigo a los BEATLES desde 1962 desde su disco conozca a BEATLES saludos desde minatitlan Veracruz México bay

[@paulallen3557]

Great to hear from a Beatles fan in Mexico. I am probably close to you in age. I worked two field seasons with an archaeological project in Oaxaca and have visited three times since. I live near where I was born in Eastern Kentucky. All the best to you.

[@eleanorigbymin4355]

My heart went " CHA CHA BOOM " while listening to Paul's amazing vocals and the amazing harmonization of John and George!!

[@mikes647]

Historic! I’ve got a few unpublished photos taken a week after this on March 17 1962. They are wearing sweaters but still leather pants

[@jeanmariefagon]

'Ask me Why': early days, their harmonies were spot on.

Man, I wouldn't mind watching 100 ads for this jewel

[@kennethanddiane]

I really like the drumming in Memphis Tennessee the little I can hear. I can see why they generated excitement in the early days, and Pete Best was contributed to that.

[@Jakal-pw8yq]

This is cool as hell! You really notice the difference in the drumming styles of Pete best and Ringo. Personally I prefer the kerplunk style of Ringo! Always slightly behind the beat which is what was so infectious in their music.

[@charliehaze9952]

Sometimes I forget the Beatles really were a 'cover band' for a few years. This really reminds us they really were a bar band hoping to get a break like so many others and doing others tunes to make a living and get the band tight.

[@rdrrr]

Makes sense. Rock 'n' roll was an American thing - Brits were imitating it and hadn't found a way to make it their own yet.

[@donaldmoore4412]

Pete is a true gentleman and a class act.

[@robertb2245]

These guys were like 16-17 ??...wow crazy how mature the vocals are and they played so well these lads.. !!🎤🎤🎸🎸🎵🎵..greatness at such a young age ..an early look at being fab 4!!

[@adrianyoung5979]

John was 21 at the time, so a bit older than you believe.

[@debbiehanisch2099]

Paul was 19, George 17, lennon 21.

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

@@debbiehanisch2099 George was 19 in March of '62.

[@debbiehanisch2099]

@@Cosmo-Kramer i stand corrected, i was off by 2 years on the lot. Heh, in 62 I was 6.

[@miger1824]

What a great historic recording! The highlights are George's superb playing and the group harmonies. Pete's drumming is fine too and I suspect he was a much better live drummer than he's given credit for.

[@silvertwin7]

This "Besame Mucho" version is really good

[@1982pencil]

My life would suck without the Beatles. Thank god for them. Also, you know you've seen too many pictures of the Beatles when you can identify them by the back of their heads, even in a blurry black and white picture.

[@micolsen8895]

My life would suck without the Beatles? Wasn't that a hit song for Kelly Clarkson in 2009?

[@patrickcoughlin3564]

Great recording historical,

[@kypdur4746]

That the recording survived is amazing. The band sound so good.

[@geoffm9944]

Oddly enough I preferred these Beatle recordings to their original songs between 1963 to 1966.

[@kajafreur527]

They were so much better live than in the studio.

[@klausvoor]

I lived in Moss Side Manchester in 1962, just a short walk from where The BBC recorded these radio sessions at The Playhouse Theatre.. We occasionally got free tickets to the afternoon performances with Brian Mathews. They also recorded a variety show called "Workers Playtime". Can anyone else remember them ?

[@stephentoto6564]

Wow!,Pete Best drumming on "Ask Me Why"I thought I heard every recording with Pete,but I never thought anything exsisted on him doing Ask me Why.Thank's!

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

I"m a big fan of Pete's. What song do you think Pete sounds best (no pun intended) on? Out of all the ones you've heard, not just these tunes Post a link, if you don't mind. Thanks.

[@stephentoto6564]

@@Cosmo-Kramer Yes Hi,I have met him 2 times at shows,I think he sounds great on "Besma Mucho and a few others,I think he got a raw deal,I asked him after Brian Epstein told him they wanted him out and Ringo in,did Brian ask you to still stay on and play drums till Ringo joined,he said yes,but then could not do it because it would have ended in a fight.Also think about this!,what if Decca had signed the Beatles to a contract,he probably would have been a Beatle,because Dick James did not complain about his drumming.

[@billytheoldhippy]

this recording sounds a lot better then what was on bootles thanks for posting

[@davidpollopera236]

Por fin ha llegado el día en el que puedo escuchar estas actuaciones pioneras en la BBC con Pete Best. Gracias por publicarlo!

[@LennyJohnson5]

To compare Pete Best to Ringo is missing the point; Pete was easily as good as most pop-group drummers in the early 60s. Ringo is a completely different type of drummer to the standard rock drummer; above all he's sensitive and empathetic, and enhances songs, rather than over-powers them. This gave the Beatles, who (by their own admission) were basically a pretty standard covers band at the time, a unique and slightly unusual sound. There was also an undoubted chemistry between the four of them, and it's true that the Beatles sound, as the rest of the world came to know it, was born when Ringo joined. But to label Pete as a bad drummer is to distort the facts. He was just more orthodox and different to Ringo, who was unquestionably the right fit for going forward. Rather than Pete being bad, Ringo is exceptional.

[@bdadolph]

Hearing Ringo on these very early live recordings has been the biggest revelation, he took them up to the next several levels. THe Beatles on record and stadiums did not do him justice.

[@christopherseat9871]

Well said kindly 🥁♥️✊🤘

[@pjriverdale8461]

For the inclusion of Best related material in Anthology, the "Bashmaster" was reportedly paid royalties that run now in to the millions. So much for any lingering damage from the sacking in 1962. And for fans of the DC Coliseum show, the restored footage from the video master does truly show Ringo as the hardest working 120 pounds in show business. And about time that happened..............

[@joe6096]

Just can’t picture Pete nailing the calypso rhythm for I Feel Fine, The off beat rhythm for Ticket To Ride, or the machine gun beat intro on Come Together. Pete was a good straight up 4/4 rocker. Ringo is a true drummer.

[@randyjordan5521]

Or Tomorrow Never Knows. Or the drum solo on Carry That Weight.

[@raymondfrye5017]

It isn't calypso, its Salsa.Pete was an average, ho-hum drummer that never improved. He was like a tumor on the Beatles.

[@justmadeit2]

Pete Best, legend. He was a part of it, good bloke too

[@pajaroguia4420]

Parece que estuviera escuchando la radio hasta me trae melancolía por escuchar estos temas,...dream baby y menphis mucha nostalgia en estos, los comienzos de lo que hiba a ser una gran banda y la gente que movió en su trayectoria,... Pd, hasta el día de hoy 🎶

[@davidlinantapia2329]

Echaba de menos un comentario e nuestro idioma, un saludo!

[@falaaipastor]

They’re great even in the beginning - Love them and in October me and my son John will be in London and in Liverpool to a Sightseeing ❤️

[@lucyfaiella7220]

LOVE PETE BEST GREAT DRUMMER AND KICK ASS SOLID DRUMMER 💜👍🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁

[@oceantree5000]

Yowza, that Besame is just phenomenal

[@steve7onfire]

Pete Best sounds great!

[@slydogmania]

How great are the vocals here? They were smart enough to know they needed a great drummer and the magic happened the moment Ringo stepped in. The Beatles like the gift that keep on giving, like a diamond reflecting different light, the best British vocal group ever

[@broccoli_lad]

the guitar on ask me why sounds lovely here

[@arickett68]

They were the most popular group in Liverpool with Pete Best - and us girls really liked Pete. They always sang all the American songs as did all the Liverpool groups. It wasn’t until they started recording that Paul and John’s songs were sung.

[@thekitowl]

Are you saying they went popular with Ringo.

[@arickett68]

@@thekitowl not really! When Ringo joined them they were already the most popular group but they started recording and became known throughout the world

[@janicewilson9813]

The drumming is wonderful!

[@timbajwolf5709]

Music and cultural history thanks for sharing.

[@daviddowdall6000]

George was superb on this as usual

[@MegaPlexy]

And the audience agreed.

[@cjmacq-vg8um]

one of the keys to the Beatles' early success was Lennon's attempts to make the band stand out; apart from the crowd of other Liverpool bands. he did this 2 ways - style and music selection. when the other bands were doing the cloned suit thing - everyone wearing the same suits - Lennon presented a black leather clad band. then their Astrid inspired haircuts added to this originality. then, while other bands had one lead singer the Beatles offered 3 singers, then 4 when Ringo joined. john and Paul sang most often but George got his chances to sing as well. lastly, while other bands were playing the hits of the day ad nauseam John had the Beatles play lesser known songs and B-sides. all these ideas helped the Beatles stand apart from the crowd even if their musicianship, in these early days, wasn't up to par with the other bands. and Hamburg improved their musical skills tremendously. Lennon was really an original thinker. but i'm afraid the choice of Besame Mucho still alludes me. thanks for the upload.

[@raymondfrye5017]

The Beatles chose Besame Mucho because of Paul's admiration for the Latin Trío's musical styles.They dressed and sang like a Cuban trio with boots and bolero jackets. All of the Beatles were admirers of Caribbean,South American and all types of US music. Paul's father was a famous, jazz-band leader in England.Jimmy McCartney's piano training of Paul shows through.

[@thumbsaloft]

They chose Besame Mucho because they were that versatile!

[@jasonsmith-bm1sv]

Their matching outfits style was due to Brian Epstein.

[@enteecee.]

@@thumbsaloft Paul's said in interviews that they were explicitly trying to show versatility, and not just in playing. Since no one then thought you could have a lifetime career as a rocker, early on he and John assumed that the Beatles would be their launching pad as a Brill Building type songwriting team. So from the very beginning they were bringing in all the diversity they could.

[@thumbsaloft]

@@enteecee.Exactly!

[@clarkewi]

Best's drumming on this has alot of power and drive. Bass drum in particular. He's holding it down on this occasion. This probably alot like they sounded in Hamburg. Raw.

[@pietvanbreemen5334]

What great sound!!OMG!! Where is my time machine I just gotta go see these guys!!!

[@ballhawk387]

This band sounds pretty good. Someone oughta sign them up.

[@scullyxenagg]

Guitar groups are on their way out, unfortunately. Better not waste money on them.

[@frankhornby6873]

ballhawk387 .....nah....they're too old now.....

[@tommyl.dayandtherunaways820]

They could’ve been something if someone just took a chance on them. Too late now...

[@adrianburn7178]

Thanks for sharing this. Historic recordings which I had not heard before. Wonderful!

[@russcoleman2338]

Ringo was the drummer for the best band in Liverpool: Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He made the Beatles into a top notch professional band. At that time the Beatles would have said...'can't believe weve got Ringo'.

[@thekitowl]

I think they wanted him from the moment he sat in for Pete when Pete was ill .

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

You've got it all wrong. When The Beatles sacked Pete and replaced him with Ringo, it was The Beatles who were the top band in Liverpool (and Hamburg). Ringo's band, Rory Storm & The Hurricanes was going downhill. Ringo didn't make The Beatles into shit. They already were the shit, nobody could touch 'em. Thanks in large part to Pete Best's Atom Beat, which every drummer in Liverpool and Hamburg tried to copy. There's no way to excuse it--John, Paul, George and Ringo all did Pete dirty, in what can only be described as the most egregious betrayal in Rock history.

[@michaelrosemond3984]

I find it amazing that A Picture of You was released by Joe Brown only three days before the Beatles recorded their version for BBC Manchester

[@blagger116]

In those days it was pretty common for bands to cover current hits. If The Beatles liked a new record, they'd actually make the effort of perfecting a version as soon as possible to include in their set.

[@slouhend]

It's not true. It had to be released earlier. To me it looks possibly in April '62. Look at the Official UK Chart - here it is as a new one entering the chart (#49) on the week ending 23 May '62. www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19620517/7501/

[@corinnehernandez4549]

This must be what The Beatles sounded like at the Cavern and Hamburg.

[@lylewilliams1371]

Thank you!

[@soulvigilante]

These were left off _Anthology_ due to, what, the sound quality? They are remarkably historically significant recordings

[@blagger116]

I suspect that the rights to these recordings are owned exclusively by the BBC. Possibly too many legal issues involved to have included this on Anthology.

[@lawrence142002]

@@blagger116 You're right. The BBC owns these recordings and it would've been a really tricky legal mess to untangle. It had nothing to do with the recording, because Jeff Lynne proved that he could've cleaned up anything on Anthology.

[@ponzo1967]

I don't remember any live performances on Anthology. Maybe studio only is why this wasn't added?

[@yes_head]

Remember that Anthology is now like 25 years old. It's possible the powers that be didn't know about these recordings back then.

[@ponzo1967]

@Michael H. I've had them packed away too long, time to break the anthologies again 🎶🎵

[@jameswallace5967]

I love hearing these rare recordings!

[@steeplejack50]

Arguing over who was the better drummer is pointless. Pete was sacked. Ringo replaced him. But give Pete Best his due; at a time when the band was in its most formative stages he gave it a presence. He gave it a place to play, the Casbah. He gave it popularity. When the band got kicked out of Hamburg, it was largely Petes efforts that pulled them back together in Liverpool. And other Liverpool drummers from the time looked to Pete as the guy to emulate -- his look, his style, his heavy thumping on the drums. He played for a bar band, not the 1967 recording studio Beatles. Yes, he could have improved but when joined the band he had the least experience of all of them and learned as he went along. Listen to George Harrisoès early guitar work and he is not all that great. He got better later. Ringo was creative, no question. Listen to Tomorrow Never Knows and you can hear the development in his style. Would Pete have gotten there, quite possibly not. But donèt hang him out to dry. He was what they needed when they needed it.

[@ADAMSIXTIES]

Pete is Best, but Ringo is Starr!

[@barbj9785]

I agree, Pete was there for their formative years. I read the book Pete published about his Mom's Casbah's club in their basement. Pete was an important catalyst in the development of the Beatles.

[@michaelcraig9449]

When they played in Mexico, it was John, Paul, George and Gringo!

[@fenderfetish]

Well stated 👍🏻

[@patrickbuzzo1970]

@@ADAMSIXTIES Ringo might be a Star(r),But Pete is the Best! However they were the drummers of the Beatles, and ,like the song says, That Means a Lot!

[@woverby1963]

Love the raw early Beatles, what an exciting time it must have been to be there!

[@ernie4456]

Pete best is part of the legend.

[@hamsterstavros]

Wow ! So exciting Recordings and before the last Starclub Engagement ! That’s so cool, thank you very much :)

[@2011littlejohn1]

A lot of aaahhhh factor here when George sings a Joe Brown hit who at the time was bigger than they were. They did become friends. Then Joe sings for George in 2002 at his commemoration playing the Ukulele and singing I'll See You In My Dreams.

[@stephenagosto6198]

George was the best man at Joe's wedding.

[@2011littlejohn1]

@@stephenagosto6198 AHHH!

[@bugeanuflorin1531]

Fabulous, thank you for posting them. Good time for you.

[@trabrex7697]

"We really started to think we needed 'the greatest drummer in Liverpool,'" Paul McCartney said, "And the greatest drummer in our eyes was Ringo Starr”⭐️

[@dinocarlucci2105]

Trab rex Total shit from McCartney there and he knows it. Ringo was plucked from a gang of holiday camp buskers named Rory Storm and the Hurricanes mediocre at best. Suited Ringo that group. They were like Freddy and the dreamers. BS from McCartney. Why didnt they go for Aynsley Dunbar then.

[@gutenbird]

Iain Botham While you’re quoting a Journalist, how about you tell us the actual Journalist and when John said this. There is no proof whatsoever that John said this. It’s just one of those nonsense things that gets spread as truth but has no basis in fact. In fact, Lennon considered Ringo a top notch drummer and did not share any such sentiments.

[@gutenbird]

@@dinocarlucci2105 And exactly why would McCartney lie about this?

[@catherinewilson3880]

@Iain Botham I suggest you check the easily available source for this quote before you make yourself look like a tit in future. Lennon never said that, it was from a British comedian called Jasper Carrott in the 1980s and that is a fact.

[@sjh9173]

They were jealous of Pete, Harrison knew of another drummer, his out was the fact that EMI wanted to use session drummers. That was their excuse to get rid of Pete who didnt "fit in". Paul McCartney would admit this in a 1970s interview after former Wings drummer was similarly fired. It was discovered years later that the spelling of the word "Beatles" was used because of Pete's unique heavy bass drum beat, a style that all the Liverpool drummers were using including Ringo. They sound absolutely phenomenal in these recordings.

[@raulalbertoquirogaguerrini564]

Many Many thanks Ben from Argentina

[@djangorheinhardt]

Actually Pete Best sounds to be putting on a good performance there.I spent an afternoon in his company years ago and I found him an utter polite nice gentleman. Because of my good manners i did not mention the Beatles as i am sure he was and is, sick to death of it but i bet he still carries the hurt.

[@denisemarie3510]

I had the same feeling about him when I met him in 2007. Very polite and soft spoken. Seemed like a really nice person.

[@MegaPlexy]

@@denisemarie3510 Lennon said in the 70s Pete Best was slow, while the rest of them were quick minded. His politeness, quietness and down-to-earth didn't suit for them. They wanted a fool for the drummer - just like themselves.

[@8176morgan]

I wish that the Fab Four had recorded "A Picture of You" and also "Besame Mucho" as both of them are such great songs.

[@Isi-1975]

You're in luck, because they did record Besame Mucho. It's on Anthology 1

[@8176morgan]

@@Isi-1975 That's from a bootleg. I had meant that I wish it had been officially recorded as were some of the other songs sung on their Decca Audition.

[@beatlejim64]

People join and get kicked out of bands all of the time...it just so happened that this was going to be the BIGGEST band in the history of the world!!!

[@randyjordan5521]

Yep. Nick Massi quit the Four Seasons just a coupla years into their fame. Then Tommy DeVito was kicked out shortly after that because of his gambling and cavorting with numerous women. The original Four Seasons were together only 4 or 5 years.

[@justinmichaeltarot]

Pete should be inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame.. He’s a part of something much bigger than any of the haters here have.. He’ll never be forgotten. You will

[@hammer44head]

Wow, thanks for sharing, never heard this before. Boy, it sure would be cool if someone could dig up some early early stuff with Stu.

[@steeplejack50]

I think the only recording with Stuart Sutcliffe and the band that exists is an instrumental piece they did called "Cayenne".

[@dabreu]

Fantastic. Thank you for sharing.

[@galericulus9736]

Great live vocals. Interesting to hear a complete set consisting of covers by the Beatles, since they later became such famous and frequently covered songwriters themselves. George must only have been in his late teens at this point, but his vocals were already strong and confident. A good time capsule.

[@mortensteen]

To be fair, "Ask Me Why" is a Lennon-McCartney composition. ;)

[@andyallan2909]

Or McCartney/Lennon as it was credited on the album@@mortensteen

[@RonMcKenzie-bw7iq]

What a really difficult song to sing and carry it through. Please Mr Postman I am talking about. John was absolutely NUMBER ONE. He absolutely nails it. Remember this was 1962

[@josephybarra7306]

Thanks for posting. After hearing this, I do think Ringo is a great drummer. Pete was ok but Ringo provided a rousing big beat. Great audio of a band in progress.

[@awol2602]

Ask me Why - really great song