The Beatles First Live Radio Broadcast with Pete Best

Stumbled on this today
The Beatles FIRST EVER live radio performance from Manchester W/John, Paul, George & Pete Best.1962

 

Terrible version of 'Helter Skelter'. I'm glad they waited a few years before recording it.

 

I played on the same bill with Pete around 13 years ago. Got to meet him, shake hands with him On Stage and its on Video!!

Wonderful, sweet guy.

 

Again, clear evidence that Ringo was the right choice for the Beatles. Yes, its a poor off-air recording but Pete's thudthudthud approach & crappy fills shine shines through...

 

I wonder who originally taped these early BBC shows. It's a miracle that they survived.

 

I would rate Pete as an average garage band drummer at this point of his career. Not terribly creative. He applied the same patterns to multiple tunes. Of course he got better later in life, but he was a serious drag on the group even live. You have to believe that he was aiming at shining at this gig. His best wasn't good enough.

 

Ringo was a punchline for a while in the 70s and 80s.....we've come a long way.

Paul would never have gotten a "40 Best Tracks" Showcase in Rolling Stone back then.

 

Isn't that the truth? And the Garden Fete from '57 was recorded and survives (such as it is.) It's not like everyone had a recording device in their pocket in those days like now. I guess field recording and taping of radio broadcasts was a popular hobby back then.

 

Incredible stuff any way you cut it.

 

For what it is and the incredible fact that it survives at all, it's not too bad quality. I have immense gratitude for the people who recorded these shows and kept them.

It's such a wonderful thing that we can still listen to this recording all these years later.

 

I'm just listening on my phone, but seems to sound a lot better than on the "Complete BBC Sessions." Better or lower-generation source found since the early 1990s?

 

Yes, they are amazing to sound as good as they do. The June appearance on the same show is in much poorer condition.

 

What is the exact date of this session?

 

Agreed, I don't think it sounds bad at all given the circumstances. And this transcends the question of whether or not Pete was a good drummer; it's simply mind blowing as an aural document of Beatles history. At least portions of this should have been included in Anthology. Maybe one day, if the complete Decca tapes ever officially come out, this can be included as part of the package.

 

maybe it's my imagination, but this sounds like it's in better quality than the one i've previously heard on youtube.

 

Backing vocals definitely more apparent. Sounds damn good, but missing that "x" factor that Ringo brought. He really completed them, once he joined, they sound like "the Beatles."

 

Pete Best appeared on two BBC dates:

Teenager's Turn - Here We Go
Recorded: 7 March 1962
Broadcast: 8 March 1962
Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream?)
Memphis, Tennessee
Please Mister Postman

Teenager's Turn - Here We Go
Recorded: 11 June 1962
Broadcast: 15 June 1962
Ask Me Why
Besame Mucho
A Picture Of You

 

It is utterly amazing how much the 19-year-old Paul sounds just like Roy Orbison.

 

This BBC version, of course, took place about 6 months before they recorded "Ask Me Why" at EMI in November 1962 as the B-side of "Please Please Me".

 

Yet he got a 'no' at the BBC audition when he sang that song.

Peter Pilbeam:

“Paul McCartney – no, John Lennon – yes. An unusual group, not as rocky as most. More country and western with a tendency to play music. Overall – yes.”

 

But already recorded (but not used) on June 6th at EMI

 

Peter Pilbeam probably thinks John sang the "Ahh's" on "A Day In The Life" too ...

 

It will never happen officially, but this would make a real nice BBC EP.

 

Definitely a sonic upgrade from what I've heard previously.