The Beatle Invasion

The “Other Beatles”

by gisrael on July 6th, 2007

While The Beatles are most famous as the quartet of John, Paul, George and Ringo, several other musicians played small roles in their history.

Pete Best was the original drummer for the band once it had settled on the name, The Beatles, in 1960. He played with the band in Hamburg, and continued with them until 1962 when George Martin insisted that he be replaced. At the time, many Beatles fans were incensed. Best had developed quite a following, particularly amongst female fans.

Brian Epstein told Best that he would build another band around him, but Best went off to join Lee Curtis & the All Stars, which became Pete Best & the All Stars. They were signed to Decca Records and released a single, which flopped. He moved to the US where he continued to record and tour with little success. He quit the music business before the decade was out, retreating to private life. He would finally make significant money (reportedly more than £1 million) off his association with The Beatles with the release of Anthology, which featured his drumming on several tracks.

Stuart Sutcliffe was The Beatles’ original bassist. His real love was visual art, and his interest and talent in music was limited - he mostly stuck to playing root notes. He fell in love with German art student Astrid Kirchherr in Hamburg, and quit the band to stay with her and study art. In April 1962 he collapsed in the middle of a class and died of a brain hemorrhage before reaching hospital.

Andy White was a session player in London studios in the 1950s and 60s, playing drums on tracks by Herman’s Hermits and Tom Jones among others. In 1962 he played on The Beatles’ first single “Love Me Do”/”P.S. I Love You”. He lives in New Jersey and teaches drum lessons.

Tony Sheridan is a singer-songwriter and guitar player. In 1961 he was in Hamburg at the same time as The Beatles, and they were his backing band on multiple occasions. In 1962 they recorded several singles toether, including a rendition of My Bonnie which was a hit. He remained in Germany, managing a successful radio program in the 1970s.

Billy Preston was an American pianist who played on several tracks by The Beatles including Get Back, Let It Be, and Don’t Let Me Down. Unlike the many session players that the band employed, Billy Preston was specifically credited on their recordings. He went on to have a successful solo career and played with many other big name acts, before dying in 2006.

Andy White, Beatles, Billy Preston, history, Pete Best, Stuart Sutcliffe, Tony Sheridan

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POSTED IN: history