The Toughest Cover Shift in History

[@philanderson2474]

I was 15 in 1964 in Australia and remember him well. The saddest outcome was the black and white photo of him sitting alone in Melbourne's Essenden Airport, waiting for his flight home. A tough gig for anyone.

[@presto709]

Nicholes was like a million other musicians who achieved moderate success but never real fame. His stint with the Beatles didn't harm him. It just didn't help as much as he would have liked.

[@robbedontuesday]

He helped them more than they helped him. FACT.

[@j.st.jamesesq.9599]

I agree. Mr. Nichols wasn’t famous - The Beatles were famous. He went along for a temporary ride. It’s like putting a spare tire on your car while the original tire is being fixed. The original tire is the one that belongs to the car.

[@jamesdrynan]

There's a famous photo of Jimmie sitting in the airport, all alone. A hard gig, for sure. From the zenith of fame to the basement in one fell swoop.

[@AnaLipton-r4g]

Yeah, sad really. From a King to a pauper, in 12 days. Poor Cunt.

[@happynessblaster2365]

6:41

[@Rich6Brew]

If only it was included in the video.

[@Coppertunes]

@@happynessblaster2365 and at 11:46 I hope this guys not a detective.

[@stealthbastard8837]

@@Coppertunes 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@colinpumpernickel2605]

Ringo was an inventive drummer with fantastic feel. He knew just how to compliment the songs. Like the rest he was a musician rather than just a player.

[@edwinsam7604]

Hé still is

[@gammaraygem]

I recall we were devastated when rumors began about The Beatles not performing without Ringo in Blokker, The Netherlands. So, when Jimmie Nichols turned up, it was a relief, really. Though there remains that tinge of regret that we didnt get the Real Thing.

[@squidface4381]

Not performing without Ringo? That means you were devastated to see Ringo?

[@lily-_-]

​@@squidface4381They mean devastated about the possibility of the concert being cancelled altogether due to Ringo's absence, and not being able to see the rest of the Beatles live

[@blackcatbooks64]

@@lily-_- >They He or she.

[@captainfantastic9158]

Paul McCartney reading that article about Jimmie being down on his luck and reaching out to Peter Asher to find him some work is so Paul McCartney. Macca was known for going the extra mile to make sure his fellows were okay. (Eg., he was the only Beatles circle member to check on Cynthia Lennon after John left her for Skloko Phono.)

[@robertwiles8106]

On a sideways related note, the military award medals worn by the band on the cover of Sgt. Pepper belonged to Pete Best's late father, and were borrowed temporarily from Best's mom for the cover shoot (via Neil Aspinall and the familial connection there).

[@AnaLipton-r4g]

balls

[@captainfantastic9158]

@@AnaLipton-r4g of fire? Yes, Jerry Lee Lewis was one of Macca's heroes! 🔥

[@MusicMongoose]

@@robertwiles8106 Right you are! This is all explained in my video about Pete Best, too! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWixaGStqrx1fJY&pp=ygUYbXVzaWMgbW9uZ29vc2UgcGV0ZSBiZXN0

[@johnmcpeak4318]

​@@robertwiles8106😊

[@itinerantpatriot1196]

That picture of Jimmie sitting alone after being mobbed for a couple weeks is sort of sad, but not really. There were plenty of studio musicians who would have leapt at the chance to tour with the Beatles and plenty who had long careers in the studio regardless of who they played or didn't play with. That stuff about Brian ruining his career sounds like paranoid poor-poor-pitiful-me nonsense. Brian Epstein was not the type of guy to do something like that, at least no one has ever come close to accusing him of such behavior. He even tried to get Pete work after the boys had him give Pete the axe. Jimmie got into drugs, and addicts are world-class deflectors when it comes to playing the victim. I hope he's okay, but the whole "It was the worst thing to ever happen to me" is ridiculous. If he had half a brain he could have parlayed it into bigger and better things. Rock-jazz fusion and some early version of techno-rock? Hardly smart career moves. If I seem cynical it's because I know the type. I was a musician for a time. It didn't work out so guess what, I moved on and had a pretty solid life. No regrets. But I've heard the bellyachers and lived with addiction within my family and circle and friends so maybe that's why I'm not overly sympathetic. Like I say, I hope Jimmie was able to find some semblance of balance and peace in his life, but that is all on him, no one else.

[@jeffbayne15]

It seems that FAME is a Dangerous Thing! It's amazing that anyone survives it....

[@thisislogout]

Indeed. For one, it makes drugs more accessible and gives one a false sense of reality much more than if one was not famous.

[@LuvBorderCollies]

For too many it makes them believe they're more valuable than they are, until the spotlight fades out.

[@Merimirin]

Amazing story! 😊 I love the passion you've put into it. Thanks man! 👍

[@MusicMongoose]

Thanks for the kind words. Much appreciated!

[@lauraweiss7875]

lol - George saw an opportunity to not have to tour and was ready to grab it.

[@murraymurraymurray]

exactly what I was thinking lol

[@buddhastaxi666]

He could have worked like the rest of us and done drumming as a sideline and got free pints to tell his story at the local pub . There are countless very creative people who do just that. Reference the Sultans of Swing..." he's got a daytime job....saving it all up for Friday night...."

[@AnyoneCanSee]

Sounds like drug-induced paranoia to think he was blacklisted. They put his band on the same bill as The Beatles. I worked in the biz and lots of people have excuses as to why they never got the break. Sometimes it can just be bad luck but sometimes you form a Jazz N' Roll band instead of a Rock N' Roll band and then blame everyone else when it sucks.

[@murraymurraymurray]

" but sometimes you form a Jazz N' Roll band instead of a Rock N' Roll band and then blame everyone else when it sucks" brilliant lol

[@thetruth72667]

It’s paranoia to think he was ever in consideration to replace Ringo full time lol! Bro they were never ever ever going to replace Ringo with you. Nobody conspired against you to ruin your chance, you never had a chance. Blaming your life going down hill after playing with the Beatles for 13 days sounds 100% like a YOU problem

[@stuartwatts1152]

He was never a Beatle, in the same way as backing singers and horn sections are hired for specific gigs or numbers, for example Daryl the Stones bass player is, sadly, not a rolling stone,they are referred to as hired guns snd he knew that all along.

[@AnaLipton-r4g]

yes well said

[@robbedontuesday]

Without him, the gig would have fallen appart. You cannot be such a yerk.

[@robbedontuesday]

@@AnaLipton-r4g anal... what?

[@eduz8213]

totally agree @stuartwatts1152

[@stuartwatts1152]

@@robbedontuesday I don't deny that he was needed but he was never a Beatle, and if you read what I said and were capable of understanding the complexity of my comment you wouldn't be such a dickhead.

[@Semprefi]

That pic of him sitting behind his kit at a Beatles convention was priceless . Jimmie looked like he’d been smelling Bolivian marching powder all morning

[@lexdunn4160]

Taking a fill-in gig for 14 days does NOT make you a Beatle. Even a temporary one.

[@djsnyder001]

0:23 / 1:54 Buddy Holly & The Crickets "Peggy Sue" on The Ed Sullivan Show December 1, 1957.

[@RebelToneMusic412]

They are called professional musicians, getting hired for gigs and tours as a professional musician without a band and then getting cancelled on happens every day 10000 times day in the music industry

[@BillySBC]

How many musicians and songwriters who were once very big wound up broke and destitute? Musicians are like boxers, they have their time and then they're just nobody again. It's like Phil Alvin of The Blasters once said "All my friends have pensions".

[@lancelottam9946]

It's a matter of "Carry That Weight" and Carried Away for Jimmy Nichol. Zak Starkey has never considered himself permanent drummer for The Oasis nor The Who, at least not openly.

[@samwisethebrave288]

The Oasis?🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jamesbond4633]

The picture of Jimmie at the airport says it all about fame. Very fleeting. Sounds like he had some demons to begin with in having drug related problems. I think if he had his head in order and just carried on as a session musician he would have been fine. Probably got convinced by agents and managers to promote himself. He got too close to the flame like Icarus!!!!! He was not the flame is what he should have realized and just carried on. Easy for me to say as an arm chair quarterback. Fame is a strange mistress.

[@azloii9781]

Fame is for warriors

[@AnaLipton-r4g]

They should have put Ringo to the Flame!😂😂😂

[@jamesbond4633]

@@AnaLipton-r4g I just saw Ringo and his All Stars play a couple of weeks ago at the Niagara Casino. At 84 years old he still is holding the flame of the Beatles Invasion of the 60's!!!!!! He was bouncing and jumping around like a 20 year old. I think John and Paul were the fuel source for the flame ...then George Harrison later on added something too .including the song Something that Frank Sinatra sang!!!!

[@AnaLipton-r4g]

@@jamesbond4633 yes, he got better with age

[@jamesbond4633]

@@AnaLipton-r4g And Ringo was the oldest Beatle!! Where are you from?

[@mallorga1965]

I think the true error of Jimmy was having excessive expectations of fame and fortune after his brief chapter with The Beatles, but who's to blame him.

[@WELIVEWEDIEOMY]

That had to be a very hard landing after his gig with The Beatles!

[@recordstreetband6187]

Jimmie wasn't a songwriter. He was just a drummer who played in bands and did session work. Why he thought otherwise as if the fame was going to continue after sitting in for Ringo was his own fault. He should have asked Brian and George Martin if they could help him in his other projects. Even when the Beatles split, he should have made contact with John, Paul, and George and asked if they could use a drummer as he was available. He had the contacts. He just failed to knock on the door.

[@InCaveEntertainment]

Ringo wasn’t much of a songwriter - unless you consider “Octopus’ Garden” a masterpiece

[@murraymurraymurray]

@@InCaveEntertainment hey no Octopus' Garden slander😆

[@mgconlan]

@@murraymurraymurray "Octopus's Garden" isn't a great song, but it is a charming novelty and doesn't deserve the above insult.

[@InCaveEntertainment]

@@mgconlan agreed

[@InCaveEntertainment]

@@mgconlan you’re missing the context. The point was made that Jimmy wasn’t a songwriter. Ringo too, wasn’t much of a songwriter and I’m unsure if anyone would have listened much to Octopus’ garden if it wasn’t a Beatles song

[@djsnyder001]

This story makes me think of another mystery of this sort; the fourth member of Buddy Holly and the Crickets. The rhythm guitar player who is seen playing with the band on Ed Sullivan show. Who is that guy . . .

[@1967PONTIACGTO]

if he wrote a book, it should have been called "How to Take Something Positive, And Turn It Into A Negative"... he couldn't just enjoy it for what it was.

[@markzappasodi]

The Beatles became his scapegoat for him not achieving any further success. Cheap shot.

[@bigmike9665]

I seem to remember reading that Jimmie planned to stay in Australia after Ringo showed up. Some opportunities opened up for Jimmie, but Epstein, for whatever reason, told Jimmie the contract said that Jimmie was to be returned to England after Ringo returned, and that's where he was going. If he wanted to work in Australia, Jimmie would have to go back to England first to forfill out the contract, and he could return on his dime. If true, for whatever reason, Epstein wanted Jimmie gone while the Beatles finished the tour in Australia.

[@AnyoneCanSee]

He'd been paid and dropped off at the airport. He could have done whatever the hell he liked at that point. If he was asking Epstein to change his flight and so forth he had every right to say he wasn't going to do any of that. If he'd walked out of the airport was Epstein going to arrest him? I'm sure Epstein wanted to tie up the loose end and not have him hanging around during the tour doing sad interviews on T.V. Epstein's job is to protect the band and keep the spotlight on them. The fact they put his crappy band on the same bill as The Beatles in Brighton shows that no one blacklisted him. He just couldn't accept that he didn't make it. In those days as well Epstein could have stopped him getting on TV or the Radio (there were only like 2 channels and stations) as they wanted access to The Beatles but he got TV and radio but no one bought the singles.

[@malcolmmcblain3954]

I’d like to know more about the 5th beatle Stuart Sutcliffe who died in Hamburg

[@markzappasodi]

There are 1000 books that you can read about him. There is also this thing called the internet that will provide you with information about him.

[@AndrewHall-dp9il]

Wow. Forgotten. Well done mate.

[@jamestreible4545]

Why would he even be thinking he had a chance of replacing Ringo? The reason he was there in the first place was to FILL IN for Ringo, not potentially REPLACE him.

[@robertgiles9124]

He smashed a watch he could have later sold for a small fortune? Refused a big pay day for being in the Anthology? No wonder his wife left him; self destructive.

[@markzappasodi]

We don't really know if ANY of that is true.

[@LarryBees]

I wonder if he ever met Pete Best to chew the cud

[@AnaLipton-r4g]

Yes, they formed a band together. It was novel at the time. Two Drummers!😳

[@markstevens1729]

@@AnaLipton-r4g more like “Drummer and a Half.”

[@clydekimsey7503]

I don't feel sorry for him because he knew from the onset that he was just a substitute.

[@AndrewLoukidis-jr2bp]

Jimmy had also played their songs before so he knew the material

[@az1317]

Paul was always a nice guy. Always.

[@sureshmukhi2316]

I have been a lifelong Beatles fan and never even heard of this guy! Maybe I should get back to where I once belonged. 🙄

[@jamesschwartz3837]

It was a strange period for The Beatles. More than ever the parts seemed so interchangeable though that was not true. He had the same haircut and suit, sat in on interviews.... They should have treated him as a guest performer to the fans but it came across as if nothing had changed like the new Darrin on Bewitched.

[@MusicMongoose]

That's got to be worth subscribing, if you're not already!

[@sureshmukhi2316]

@@MusicMongoose just did.

[@AnaLipton-r4g]

YES. Over the long and winding road. But I think you should just Let It Be. 🙂

[@navasaband]

Should’ve written a book about his experience.

[@samwisethebrave288]

Didn't he actually write most of the songs on "Revolver"?

[@MortimerYoung]

C'MON MAN

[@davidbowen8649]

This is a very sad story.

[@StevenHolder-v2z]

Jimmy Nichol was a contracted employee at a time when his employers needed someone with his skillset…

[@lilmsgs]

That picture of Jimmy at 7:20 looks like his head was photoshopped in

[@btspyglass4077]

His face just isn't a Beatles face

[@buddhastaxi666]

Will Jimmie come back as Superman?

[@MYEVILTWIIN]

I thought it was Michael Shannon

[@AnaLipton-r4g]

Shannon is his son!

[@rolandreich-gz1wm]

I thought the same thing

[@TimothyOBrien1958]

Let's face it, he was kind of a strange looking guy.

[@victorcontreras3368]

I always see Jimmie different than the other Beatles in that he seems muscular and with a square jaw while the other 3 are better matched for each other. They are rail thin as must have been the style of the 60's.

[@mrwilliamwonder]

Sitting in with the Beatles and landing on the moon will drive you insane.

[@COLLYD420]

Thank god Jimmy didnt get the job.

[@greg-warsaw4708]

I think it's too kind to say Pete Best wasn't the greatest of drummers. In fact, he was plainly mediocre. Even Ringo at that early time was pretty average but he grew big over time - not in terms of technique, not at being a virtuoso / drum hero, but surely in terms of being inventive, having great feel and creating his style, doing different than the cliche, and most of all, of fitting in the Beatles music perfectly so that nobody better can be imagined in his place.

[@PaulGreen11]

Well, Jimmy should have gotten paid just as much as Pete for Anthology.

[@markzappasodi]

No, he shouldn't. Pete performs on some of the tracks from the Decca audition released on Anthology 1. Jimmie performs on none.

[@clydekimsey7503]

Sorry, Jimmie. Did you really expect them to just fire ringo?😅

[@ZillaYT]

I never knew.

[@chrisjarvis4449]

you rang maybe he could have been in a lurch look a like contest heavy on the con as in artist

[@AnaLipton-r4g]

I dont think I will ever get over this.😰🥴

[@oneisnone7350]

He could be a “better drummer” but would he have come up with the iconic beats many of their songs had? Probably not.

[@alexander_dean]

Strange story.

[@allenallen5040]

He had a lot of mental problems. Beatles manager didn’t have time to be against Jimmie!

[@Flasoo8]

Sorry, bro. Jimmy was never a 'full fledged Beatle' and can not be 'argued that he was better than Ringo'. Where do you come up with such nonsense?

[@nogginnogg1788]

Ringo was a good Beatles drummer. He was not a good drummer. Technically, he was limited and simplistic, and I’ve no doubt that Jimmie, as a session drummer, had better chops. BUT Ringo had a great feel for the Beatles music, kept good time, and turned his shortcomings into a positive by coming up with some inventive ways to compensate for what he couldn’t do. He was perfect for a band that didn’t need a Bonham, Copeland, Peart, Baker etc. There’s a reason that nobody has since been taught to drum like Ringo, but he’s rightly treated with reverence because he was a Beatle and played his role perfectly. He just wasn’t god’s gift to drumming.

[@Flasoo8]

@@nogginnogg1788 You say he was a good Beatles drummer as a way to diminish his abilities. I say your statement backs up that he was an excellent drummer as John, Paul, and George approved of Ringo joining the band. Without Ringo, there might not have been a Bonham, Peart, or Copeland. Volumes of excellent drummers cite Ringo as an influence, not Jimmy. But what do I know. Lol

[@marksoquet8626]

Jimmie

[@marksoquet8626]

​@@nogginnogg1788😢

[@Flasoo8]

@@marksoquet8626 damn autocorrect

[@ebbhead20]

His problem is he has a scary face. A bit like a Boris Karloff character. And the Beatles was seen as these fresh faced good-looking boys. Hes more like the Joker. His face looks cut up or something..

[@clydekimsey7503]

He looks a little like Dee Dee Ramone.

[@johnnyanglo6709]

Looking at Jimmie Nicol's appearance next to Paul, John, and George, he looks out of place. Whereas the other Beatles had charm and wit with handsome features, Jimmie, to be kind, looked dull and unattractive. While Ringo wasn't exactly a great looker, he had that pizzazz that fit with the rest of the mates.

[@M5guitar1]

Pete Nicols...Jimmie Best...

[@pthef.c.8218]

Jimmie who…?

[@drc1989]

Jimmy who?

[@Catsrock-u7y]

Some people like Ringo and some don’t.

[@robertallan6373]

Most like Ringo and some don't.

[@joecook8352]

They all were paranoid, all the time. Too much grass smoking

[@inverross9019]

JN could never have been a full Beatle. He looked out of place, with a harsh face (and hair) that was slightly odd. JN was a Londoner, so didn't have the famous Northern accent, nor the stylistic banter, bond, creativity and interplay that fitted the unity that made the Beatles famous as a Liverpool group.

[@Shitposter27]

First! For the first time for me!

[@ploppill34]

Title of video is weird, Just mention The Beatles if you actually want views

[@MusicMongoose]

The title seems to have worked just fine, thanks.

[@flashflame4952]

George Harrison DID NOT want to go on tour without Ringo and told Brian he didn't care if the tour was cancelled. It took some time to convince George to go ahead.

[@markzappasodi]

This is discussed in the video. Did you even watch it?

[@markzappasodi]

The thumbnail photo of Paul McCartneys is misleading AND backward. AND you look like Glenn Tilbrook from Squeeze.

[@justiceforjamespaulmccartney]

James Paul McCartney died in car crash on September 11 1966 and was replaced by William (Billy). This is the truth no matter what!

[@ruelitocayamanda8162]

They are still trying to find two guys who can replace John and George.

[@robbedontuesday]

Seems a bit ungrateful after saving their lives and fame, that the Beatles only paid him 500 pounds. He must have thought he really had a chance, instead of negotiating a higher fee... Easy to say 60 years after.

[@sisuriffs]

The Beatle WHO Vanished

[@MusicMongoose]

Right you are, my bad.

[@X9523-z3v]

Nothing deserves the exaltation the Beatles rose to. It's manic

[@AnaLipton-r4g]

they got lucky

[@robertgiles9124]

@@AnaLipton-r4g baloney; show us the songs you wrote still getting played after 50 years...just one, you fool.

[@keithconti6057]

after paul got into accident and was replaced by billy to createa new paul.. mabey there was too much liablitly he knew too much

[@thatfeeble-mindedboy]

I think both Quinton Tarantino AND Bill Hader have grounds for civil remediation here …