Friday 12 August 1960 | People
Pete Best auditioned for The Beatles at the Blue Angel club in Liverpool on 12 August 1960 — manager Allan Williams’ venue on Seel Street. With a Hamburg engagement just days away and no permanent drummer, Best was the only candidate auditioned. He got the job, and The Beatles departed for Germany on 16 August 1960.
The audition
Best had expressed an interest in joining the group the previous Saturday. As he was the only suitable drummer The Beatles knew, he was the only person put forward for the position. The audition was a formality — the group needed someone they could trust, and Best fitted the bill.
“He was a good drummer, and when Hamburg came up he joined us. He was a very good-looking guy, and out of all the people in our group, the girls used to go for Pete.”
— Paul McCartney, Anthology
On the same day, Paul McCartney also wrote a letter to an unknown drummer who had placed a classified advertisement in the Liverpool Echo on 10 August, offering him an audition. That drummer phoned the Jacaranda Club as instructed, but was told he was too late — The Beatles had already found their man. That letter was discovered in 2011 at a Bootle car boot sale and sold at Christie’s for £34,850.
The Beatles — officially licensed merch
The Beatles: The Cavern T-Shirt (Black).
Pete Best
Randolph Peter Best was born on 24 November 1941 in Madras (now Chennai), India. His mother, Mona Best, ran the Casbah Coffee Club in the basement of the family home in West Derby, Liverpool — a venue where The Beatles had performed regularly in 1959 and 1960. It was through this connection that Best came to know the group.
Best remained The Beatles’ drummer through their Hamburg residencies and their rise to fame in Liverpool, playing on their famous Decca audition on 1 January 1962 and their first EMI session on 6 June 1962. He was a popular figure with fans — as McCartney noted, the girls particularly went for Pete.
On 16 August 1962, Best was dismissed from The Beatles by manager Brian Epstein, acting on the wishes of the other three members. He was replaced by Ringo Starr, who had been the drummer with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. The dismissal came just weeks before the release of The Beatles’ debut single ‘Love Me Do’ and remains one of the most discussed decisions in rock history.
Best later formed his own group, the Pete Best Band, and continued performing. In 1995 he received a share of the royalties from The Beatles Anthology, which included recordings from the Hamburg era featuring his drumming.
The Beatles — officially licensed merch
The Beatles: Love Me Do Graffiti Heart T-Shirt (Black).
The Blue Angel, Liverpool
The Blue Angel Club, Seel Street, Liverpool — Allan Williams’ venue where Pete Best auditioned for The Beatles on 12 August 1960.
Key Facts
| Date | Friday 12 August 1960 |
| Venue | Blue Angel Club, Seel Street, Liverpool (Allan Williams’ club) |
| Result | Pete Best joins The Beatles as drummer |
| Departure for Hamburg | 16 August 1960 |
| Best replaced by | Ringo Starr, 16 August 1962 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Pete Best audition for The Beatles?
Pete Best auditioned for The Beatles at the Blue Angel Club on Seel Street, Liverpool, on 12 August 1960. The club was run by Allan Williams, The Beatles' first manager.
Why was Pete Best the only person auditioned?
Pete Best was the only suitable drummer The Beatles knew at the time. He had expressed an interest in joining the previous Saturday, and with Hamburg just days away, the group needed to act quickly. He was the only candidate put forward.
Why was Pete Best replaced by Ringo Starr?
Pete Best was dismissed from The Beatles on 16 August 1962 by manager Brian Epstein, acting on the wishes of Lennon, McCartney and Harrison. The exact reasons have never been fully explained publicly. He was replaced by Ringo Starr, formerly of Rory Storm and the Hurricanes.
Who was Allan Williams?
Allan Williams was The Beatles' first manager, who ran the Jacaranda Club and the Blue Angel Club in Liverpool and arranged their first Hamburg engagement in 1960.
What happened to Pete Best after leaving The Beatles?
Pete Best formed his own group, the Pete Best Band, and continued performing. In 1995 he received a share of royalties from The Beatles Anthology, which included Hamburg-era recordings featuring his drumming.
→ Paul McCartney offers audition to mystery drummer – 12 August 1960
→ Pete Best – Beatles Fabdom biography
→ The Beatles Knowledge Hub
→ August in Beatles History
→ On This Day in Beatles History
Shop Beatles merch: The Cavern T-Shirt | Love Me Do Graffiti Heart T-Shirt | Beatles collection
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