The Beatles were one of the most famous and influential bands of all time. The four official members that made up this iconic group were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. These four musicians from Liverpool, England skyrocketed to international fame during the 1960s and created some of the most beloved songs in pop music history.
However, over the years there have been a few other people who were closely associated with The Beatles but were never official members of the band. Even though these people didn't perform on stage or in the recording studio with The Beatles, they made key contributions during the early days. Let's take a look at who they were!
One of the most well-known "fifth Beatles" was Stuart Sutcliffe. He was one of John Lennon's closest friends from art school and joined the band in 1960 as the original bass guitarist. During this time The Beatles were just starting out, playing concerts in seedy bars and clubs in Germany.
Stuart came up with the distinctive Beatles haircut called the "moptop" and his brooding good looks made him very popular with female fans. He heavily influenced the band's image in their early days. However, Stuart decided to leave The Beatles in 1961 to pursue a career as a painter. Sadly, he passed away from a brain hemorrhage the very next year.
Many Beatles fans view Stuart Sutcliffe as the true fifth member of the band. Paul McCartney later took over bass guitar duties for The Beatles after Stuart left.
Stuart Sutcliffe, the original "fifth Beatle"
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Another important but often overlooked Beatles associate is Pete Best. He was The Beatles' drummer from 1960-1962, playing over 200 shows with the band during their time performing in Liverpool and Hamburg. With his good looks and steady beat, Pete was very popular with fans.
However, when The Beatles were on the verge of stardom in 1962, they infamously fired Pete Best. He was replaced by Ringo Starr just before the band hit it big. Pete was devastated that his childhood friends excluded him from sharing in their success. Many music historians view Pete Best's untimely dismissal from The Beatles as one of the unluckiest moments in rock history.
Over the years Pete has received renewed interest and developed a following of fans who wonder "what if?" If he hadn't been kicked out of The Beatles, would they have gotten even more popular with his special appeal? We'll never know, but Pete Best's legacy undoubtedly deserves more appreciation!
Pete Best, the famously unlucky ex-Beatle drummer
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Jimmy Nicol was a drummer called in to be Ringo Starr's replacement during a 1964 world tour. Right before the tour, Ringo unfortunately collapsed and was hospitalized with tonsillitis and pharyngitis. The band needed a replacement drummer ASAP!
Jimmy Nicol fit the bill perfectly because he could play all the songs and even somewhat resembled Ringo physically. He stood in for Ringo for over a dozen shows in Australia and Europe. For two amazing weeks he lived the celebrity high-life of touring with the world's biggest band, complete with screaming fans and press attention.
Soon Ringo recovered enough to reclaim his rightful place on stage with The Beatles. Jimmy enjoyed his brief, whirlwind time with the Fab Four but his own musical career sadly faltered afterward. Like Pete Best, Jimmy Nicol was also at the center of one of rock music's biggest "what ifs." What if Ringo never came back from his illness? Could Jimmy have held down the drum stool permanently? Hard to say, but he earned his place in Beatles history books as the crucial replacement.!
Jimmy Nicol as he briefly filled in for Ringo Starr
There you have it! Stuart Sutcliffe, Pete Best, and Jimmy Nicol all played valuable roles behind the scenes during The Beatles' early evolution. They helped the band establish their iconic image and sound in those critical, formative years. However, only John, Paul, George, and Ringo comprised the official Beatles lineup at the peak of Beatlemania.
Sadly, Stuart passed away far too young, while Pete and Jimmy saw their own music dreams fade. The legendary success of The Beatles could've easily been shared with others had fate been a little different! But the Fab Four's magical musical chemistry and phenomenal songwriting talent launched them into superstardom.
Even though Stuart, Pete and Jimmy were not official band members, their stories will always be linked with The Beatles. They help give us a fuller picture of how The Beatles came to change popular culture forever! Almost six decades later the band is still loved by fans both young and old all across the world. And their timeless hits like "Hey Jude," "Let It Be," and "Here Comes the Sun" will live on forever.
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