2003 Radio Interview with Pete Best (1/5)

A radio interview with the original drummer for the Beatles. Interviewed by Terry Gross on Fresh Air, September 2, 2003. Pete was also promoting his book "The Beatles, The True Beginnings" during this time. Audio plus slideshow.

Highlights:
1. A short history of Pete Best with the Beatles.
2. A sample of the song "Ain't She Sweet" (1961) is played. Performed by the Beatles, with Pete Best on drums.
3. The history of the Casbah Coffee Club.
4. Pete's first meeting with George Harrison, Paul McCartney and John Lennon.
5. Pete's drumming audition with the Beatles.
6. The Beatles' first German tour.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• beatles
• pete
• best
• radio
• interview
• john
• paul
• george
• ringo
• fresh
• air
• terry
• gross

[perryv]

When John Lennon was once asked in an interview, "Is Ringo Starr the best drummer in the world?", John replied "He's not the best drummer in the Beatles!". Contenders for best Beatles drummer are Pete Best and Paul McCartney. ;-)

[ahcapella]

Just this one. As you said, Ringo was right for them. Ringo's drumming was creative...innovative. I mean, can you imagine songs such as "Paperback Writer," "Tomorrow Never Knows," "I Am The Walrus," "Hello Goodbye," or "Dear Prudence," with Pete Best playing on them with that one (and apparently ONLY) drum beat he knew? He he he!

[sfldd]

If you ever feel like you have been really screwed by someone, just think of Pete Best. Doing that should give you a perspective on things. You'll realize that things can be a lot worse.

[lifestraight]

@HBK344356 Gotcha.

[HBK344356]

@lifestraight No Paul and George, George is on the left end next to Pete and Paul is on the right end next to John

[blake3142000]

i like ringo more

[DoctorLawyerWhatever]

Band develop as they do. People in, people out, re-shuffling personnel, etc. Noone else who was in earlier versions of the band ever seeks any publicity or speaks about it. They simply got on with their lives. Why is this guy clinging to it? Talk about being a parasite of your own past. It's pathetic. Besides, it's half a century ago. Who really cares? The music is there for anyone who wants to listen to it, like any music act whose recordings are still available. That's all that matters

[edwardsams]

Listen to the first Love Me Do with Pete and you will know why he had to go. He iwas trying to do some jazzy fill that doesn't work. Ringo really was a better drummer. If you ever have been in a band you can really hear the quality difference in the two drummers. Pete sounds like a nice guy though. Its too bad he didn't take the Ian Stewart route.

[jitterbug121]

he was a very handsome guy. Being kicked out of the band is bittersweet Thanx 4 posting :))

[lifestraight]

In the picture at 3:00 I see Pete and John in the middle, who are the other two at the end? Stu and George?

[lifestraight]

@perryv  Where did you read this? Would love to know...

[TheColts99]

I Love Pete Best!

[drumdude1000]

I've heard so many different stories on why Pete Best was replaced by Ringo. I don't know which is true or who to believe. George Martin said that he couldn't play drums very well...others have said that Pete, because of his good looks got more attention than Paul and John. Finally, I 'm not sure how much Pete Best was really into the Beatles-maybe it only bothered him after the fact because they went on to great success with Ringo.