A letter from The Beatles‘ manager, Brian Epstein, announcing the firing of the band’s original drummer Pete Best is up for auction.
Best’s mother opened the “Casbah Coffee Club” in the cellar of the Bests’ house in Liverpool. The Beatles (at the time known as the Quarrymen) played some of their first concerts at the club. The Beatles invited Best to join the band on 12 August 1960, on the eve of the group’s first Hamburg season of club dates. A December 10, 1961, meeting, is where it was decided that Epstein would manage the band. A 5-year management contract was signed by four members at then-drummer Pete Best’s home on January 24, 1962. The Beatles and Brian Epstein officially signed their record deal with Parlophone/EMI on: June 6 1962.
Lennon and McCartney grew unhappy with Best’s performance on their earliest recordings. Epstein ultimately decided that “If the group was to remain happy, Pete Best must go.” Epstein summoned Best to his office and dismissed him on Thursday, 16 August, ten weeks and one day after the first recording session. Epstein asked Best to continue to play with the band until Ringo joined on Saturday 18 August. Best played his last two gigs with the Beatles on 15 August at the Cavern Club, Liverpool. He was due to play his last show on 16 August at the Riverpark Ballroom, Chester, but never turned up; Johnny Hutchinson of the Big Three was rushed in as a substitute.
Ringo Starr became the new drummer for the Beatles on 16 August 1962.
The letter that’s up for auction, which was sent on September 8, 1962, was from Epstein to the band’s booking manager Joe Flannery.
“I read from Mersey Beat Pete Best has not joined The ALL STARS and I though [sic] I’d let you know that I have sent today, to him a certificate of release from his obligations under contract to myself,” Epstein wrote, signed by Epstein in blue ink, the manager goes on to express his “sincere wishes” for Best’s success.
Best eventually left the music industry for other career opportunities.
The historic letter is expected to fetch at least £1,000 ($1,291) at auction.
Visit Pete’s website: HERE
