Drummed Out Beatle Suing Old Chaps for $50 Million (1965)

 

Drummed Out Beatle Suing Old Chaps for $50 Million

By Gary Blonston

The Miami Herald

November 28, 1965

    Just imagine, a bare stage in a hard red spotlight. Two clusters of drums and two mop top silhouettes. Drumsticks at 20 paces. The musical confrontation of the age.

     In this corner, Ringo Starr, the champion. And then the other, Peter Best, 24, the first man in history to try to regain the fame and fortune that go along with the title, Beatle drummer. 

    It hasn't happened yet, but Pete is ready anytime. Ringo hasn't responded to the challenge.

     Meanwhile, Peter Best, who slammed and kicked and pounded the Beatles to British fame in the early 60s, is seeking satisfaction in court-- $50 million worth. 

    Pete sat in a Miami radio studio Saturday and vowed convincingly that he doesn't dislike Ringo or the Beatles at all. He'd just like to sit in again. 

    There was a time five years ago when a scruffy Liverpool guitarist named Paul McCartney got Pete on the phone and said his group needed a drummer for a musical tour of Germany.

     Yeah, yeah, yeah, said Pete, thereby becoming the Beatles' drummer for two years. It was a good life. Pete was making about £65 a week, about $150, "a lot of money in England", he said.

     Then Beatle manager, Brian Epstein, lowered the boom. "It happened so fast. There never was one specific reason," Pete said. "Epstein said, I was not good as a drummer." Pete recalled. And Ringo picked up the sticks. 

    "Later, I learned of other reasons. There were personality clashes," he said, looking down at his cuffless houndstooth pants. "As far as I was concerned, we were one big, happy family."

     But others said the Beatles' establishment didn't like the attention Pete was getting from the fans; they shrieked at him quite a bit, tore at his clothes, and made other affectionate gestures.

     When Pete was booted, Liverpool aficionados demonstrated against Epstein and the Beatles. One sign said, "Pete forever. Ringo never." Epstein got a black eye and hired a bodyguard.

     But Pete contended that he got worse. Besides the considerable loss of revenue, Pete said he got a black eye in a national magazine that interviewed Ringo. He said he also received lots of bad mouthing from other beaties.

     More than a dozen suits are in progress in England and in New York. Pete's manager, David Rolnick, said they could make Pete a wealthy young Liverpudlian. And even if they don't, they'll clear the air about a lot of things.

     Pete said he has a considerable interest in his reputation, for he has put together a hairy five-man combo now awaiting immigration clearance to perform in the States. He is visiting Miami disc jockey Tom Campbell while the clearance is completed. Then he'll take his gang on a tour on national television. "I'm not trying to cash in on the Beatles' popularity or money", said Pete, "if I could be 1/20 as popular, I would be happy."