Pete Best and Royalties: The Beatles’ Drummer’s Long Road to Recognition
While Pete Best, the original drummer of The Beatles, may not have received royalties from the band's music in the traditional sense, his story is one of recognition and monetary compensation over the decades. Best, who played with the band from 1960 to 1962, was eventually replaced by Ringo Starr in 1962. However, his contributions to the early successes of the band have led to substantial financial rewards in recent years.
Early Career and Replacement
During his tenure with The Beatles, Pete Best made a significant impact on the band's early endeavors. His departure from the group in 1962 came at a time when the band was still relatively unknown. Even so, the remaining members of the band, including Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, acknowledged Best's contributions to the group's early recordings and live performances.
Recognition and Compensation
It wasn't until the release of the The Beatles Anthology series in 1995-1996 that Best began to see financial recognition for his earlier work. The Beatles Anthology includes a comprehensive collection of outtakes, unreleased material, and rare performances from the band's early days. The inclusion of these recordings, particularly those featuring Best, provided him with a substantial sum of money.
Reports and Estimates: Various articles and reports suggest that Best received between ￡8 million to ￡25 million from the The Beatles Anthology series. While these figures vary, they indicate a significant financial reward. In an interview, Best himself admitted to having received "a few million" since 1962, highlighting that the bulk of this compensation came from the The Beatles Anthology series rather than ongoing royalties.
Retroactive Compensation
Retroactive Payment: The release of the The Beatles Anthology series was seen as a form of recognition and compensation for Best. The fact that Paul McCartney personally reached out to him to inform him about the inclusion of his outtakes underscores the importance of these recordings to the band's history. It was a way of acknowledging Best's part in the early formation of The Beatles, before they became the global phenomenon they are known as today.
The inclusion of Best's performances in the The Beatles Anthology series can also be seen as a form of apology. Given his early departure and the band's subsequent success, the inclusion of his recordings was a way to give him the credit and recognition he deserved.
Conclusion
In summary, while Pete Best did not receive traditional royalties from the band's music, his contributions to the early days of The Beatles have led to significant financial rewards. The release of the The Beatles Anthology series marked a turning point in his relationship with the band, providing him with the recognition and compensation that came decades later. His story is a testament to the unpredictable and sometimes delayed rewards of musical success.