Pete Best, the original drummer of The Beatles before Ringo Starr, has officially announced his retirement from performing. The 83-year-old musician, often dubbed “the fifth Beatle,” confirmed the news on social media, saying he had a blast while thanking fans for their support.
His brother, Roag Best, also broke the news in an emotional post, noting that Pete would no longer make public appearances or perform due to personal circumstances. While the news saddens fans, many are also celebrating the legacy of a drummer whose early role helped shape one of the greatest bands of all time.
Pete Best and his Beatle beginnings
Pete played a critical role in the Beatles’ early years. He joined the band in 1960 when they were still known as the Quarrymen. After his mother, who ran the Casbah Coffee Club in Liverpool, introduced him, Pete helped set the stage for the group’s formative gigs, including their breakthrough performances in Hamburg, Germany.
Though Pete was a founding member, his time with the Beatles was short-lived as he was replaced by Ringo Starr in 1962, just before the band secured a record deal with Parlophone Records. Despite the painful departure, he expressed no bitterness, and told The Irish Times that he holds no grudges as the decision was part of the band’s growth.
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Life after the Beatles
After the chapter with the Beatles closed, Pete pursued a quieter life with his wife, Kathy, whom he met at a Beatles concert and married in 1963. He later worked at a bakery and in employment services before eventually returning to music with the Pete Best Band, which released the Haymans Green album in 2008.
Pete’s legacy remains intact, with his drumming featured on Anthology 1, a Beatles compilation released in the 1990s. He’s proud of how he handled the setback, often calling himself a symbol of resilience.