The Harsh Truth About Pete Best According To John Lennon
English musician, singer and guitarist with the Beatles, John Lennon (1940-1980) pictured during production and filming of the British musical comedy film Help! on New Providence Island in the Bahamas on 2nd March 1965. (Photo by William Lovelace/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The Absolute Truth
Most people remember Pete Best as the Beatle who was sacked from the group. He was an original member of the Fab Four and the first drummer before Ringo Starr took over the drumming duties. After Best was dismissed, there were plenty of rumors that spread like wildfire.
Some said Paul McCartney was jealous of him and that Best always got the girls. But when The Beatles auditioned for George Martin in 1962, he wasn’t exactly impressed with Best’s performance.
“George took us to one side and said, ‘I’m really unhappy with the drummer. Would you consider changing him?’ We said, ‘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. Maybe they were going to cancel our contract.” – Paul McCartney
McCartney added that it “was strictly a professional decision.” And now check out this clip of an interview with John Lennon. It’s pretty harsh but straightforward too. And all things considered, what they did was truly for the best. Can you imagine any of The Beatles classic hits without Ringo Starr in it? Because we just can’t.
