Photo Credits: Instagram / bingo_ringo
Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr are the widely known members of the The Beatles, often referred to as the “Fab Four”. Though there is the “Fifth Beatle” title connected to some musicians. These musicians are known to be a part of The Beatles before reaching stardom.
When McCartney saw Ringo Starr perform in a gig, he described the drummer as “the best drummer in Liverpool”. Starr originally played in a different band and the then-unknown Beatles would watch him perform. So who was The Beatles’ drummer before?
Photo Credit: Instagram / exiledbeatle
It was Pete Best. Best was the original drummer before Starr was taken in. In an interview session with Howard Stern, Starr mentioned that he is on neutral grounds towards Best’s removal.
“They asked him to leave and me to do, and I had a gig already.”
When Stern pressed whether Best came back to see The Beatles, Starr simply replied: “I don’t know. I wouldn’t think so, would you?”
Starr no longer elaborated on the issue with Best and the band.
There are several accounts to why Best had to leave. McCartney recalled Best didn’t conform to the band’s image or that he would sometimes show up late for gigs and practices. Lennon had a harsher view, stating that Best was a lousy drummer and that they were going to drop him anytime soon.
Photo Credits: Instagram / finebeatle
Sadly for Best, he wasn’t told the exact reason why he was dismissed from the band. Manager Brian Epstein told Best that “The lads don’t want you in the group anymore” and that was that. From there, he was replaced by Ringo Starr which comprised The Beatles’ renowned lineup.
Best had the looks, but Starr had the skills. Best was a good drummer, but Starr was the best. The Beatles saw in Starr the missing piece of the band. Ringo Starr was simply the star that Best could not match.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgtYR0pBQSY