What is Pete Best's Net Worth?
Pete Best, a British musician, boasts a net worth of $600,000. Best is renowned for being the early drummer of the Beatles before Ringo Starr replaced him. His dismissal was controversial, causing him considerable psychological distress, and he even attempted suicide due to the immense success the Beatles achieved without him.
Following his departure from the Beatles, Best pursued several musical ventures, although most were unsuccessful. Despite his struggles, he eventually received significant financial compensation for his work on Beatles' releases, notably coinciding with the release of "Anthology 1" in 1995. Post-Beatles, Pete engaged in various odd jobs, including working in a bakery and serving as a civil servant for 20 years. Recently, he has revisited the music scene by founding the Pete Best Band.
Dismissal from the Beatles
After a successful record label audition, the reasons for Best's dismissal from the band remain ambiguous. Some accounts suggest jealousy from other Beatles due to his good looks, while others claim that producer George Martin preferred a session drummer because Best lacked experience. Regardless of the reason, his departure led to a dark period in his life, including a suicide attempt when the Beatles soared to stardom.
Early Life
Randolph Peter Scanland, known as Pete Best, was born on November 24, 1941, in Madras, British India. Following the death of his marine engineer father during World War II, his mother met Johnny Best, a commissioned officer in India. The couple married in 1944, and in 1945, Pete and his family relocated to Liverpool.
Upon arriving in Liverpool, Pete's mother reportedly pawned her jewelry to bet on a horse, which won and enabled the family to purchase a Victorian home. This house, featuring 15 bedrooms and a large cellar, became the Casbah Coffee Club. Early Beatles members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison performed there after assisting Pete's mother with renovations. Pete ultimately pursued music, forming the Black Jacks, who succeeded the Quarrymen at the club.
Career
By 1960, the Quarrymen had evolved into the Beatles, with Paul McCartney seeking a permanent drummer. Best filled this role, joining the band during their extensive tours in Hamburg. Notably, Best refrained from partaking in recreational drugs, unlike other band members. Despite his contributions, issues with his drumming emerged, leading producer George Martin to suggest replacing him with a session drummer.
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This recommendation sparked internal discussions among the band members about permanently replacing Best. Ultimately, manager Brian Epstein was tasked with the dismissal. The decision was controversial, given Best's popularity and good looks, which often drew attention from fans. Following his replacement by Ringo Starr, the transition was not without incident, including an assault on George Harrison by an upset fan.
After the Beatles
Post-dismissal, Best spent two weeks in depression and subsequently attempted to revive his musical career with various bands, such as The Pete Best Combo, to little success. He later stepped away from the limelight, distancing himself from the band that had eclipsed him. Despite occasional mentions by the Beatles, Best sued them successfully for defamation.
During the height of Beatlemania, Best attempted suicide but was saved by his family. In 1963, he married Kathy, a Woolworth's sales clerk, and they had two children. As a civil servant in Liverpool, he rebuilt his life. Best's fortunes improved in 1995 when "Anthology 1" was released, earning him between 1 and 4 million pounds from album sales.
