Letter Shows a Mystery Drummer Had a Chance at Being a Beatle

AP
Alexander Abad-Santos 962 Views Oct 17, 2011

Someone could've been Ringo, or at least another unfortunate drummer before Ringo. "A newly discovered letter found folded in a book at a Liverpool yard sale has shed new light on the Beatles' early days, revealing that Paul McCartney offered an audition to a mystery drummer in 1960," reports the AP.  "It was written two years before the band bounced drummer Pete Best in favor of Ringo Starr, who arrived just in time to help the Beatles' conquer first England and then the world, earning untold millions along the way." What we've gleaned about the mystery letter: 

  • The drummer was a man-  The letter begins: "Dear, Sir ..."
  • Pete Best (the drummer before Ringo) did not have much job security:  "They needed a drummer and Pete was convenient. It makes sense that they would have responded to some drummer in Liverpool looking for work," said Bruce Spizer a Beatles historian. 
  • Paul McCartney hasn't confirmed the letter (yet):  "We think he's on his honeymoon," said Christie's spokeswoman Leonie Pitts. 
  • It's expensive: The AP reports that Christie's estimates the letter is expected to draw 7,000 pounds ($11,000) when it's auctioned off on November 15. 

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