Was Pete Best really that bad of a drummer?

The more I listen to the Beatles Decca recordings the more I like Pete Best's drumming. I think he is better than people give him credit for. Maybe not as good as Ringo but still perfectly good.

Why did he get such a bad reputation? Listen for yourself:

 

I thought it was because people paid too much attention to him calling them "Pete Best and the Beatles"

 

Wasn't the criticism that Best wasn't very versatile? I think all his stuff was rather same-y.

 

Anyway, you've inspired me to dig out my 1983 "SILVER BEATLES" cd (the FIRST Beatles CD ever released, btw).

 

Yes he was bad. He had one drum fill and used it on everything.

 

Since this will inevitably get posted anyway, it might as well be me:





But more seriously, I don't really know. Do we have anyone here who's followed him post-Beatles who could give an opinion, with whatever recordings he's made since then or if you've see him perform live?

 

Yes but also keep in mind 1961 was very different musically than later in the 60's. We can not expect Pete to play Paperback Writer level drum beats at a time when the drummer literally just kept a beat in the background. Would that be fair?

 

Yes great! I actually like the Beatles Decca audition recordings very much!

 

Just curious...what do you think is Best's best?

 

Even by 1961-62 standards he was lame enough for George Martin not to want him anywhere near a studio.

 

I like the drumming in Cry For A Shadow and To Know Her Is To Love Her.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Beatles-1964-1966-Pete-Combo/dp/B000001LK1/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1363558075&sr=1-3&keywords=best best combo

Pest Best after The Beatles...

 

My God - that had me in hysterics...had to stop it before I keeled over....

Funniest thing I've heard in ages - thanks!

 

The documentary Best of the Beatles is also worth checking out for interested parties; it perhaps tries too hard to make a case for Best being a fine drummer hard done by, but it still makes a good complement to the Anthology collection.

 

I agree. A more than competent job IMO. Of course I could not hold a beat if you spotted me the b and the t so there you go.

 

As drummers from that era go he wasn't that great. Have a look at a decent drummer from 1961

 

On this demo unfortunately he was and it was, in my opinion, the one that sealed his fate. He rushes the fills and that latin rhythm in the harmonica solo is bizarre.

 

Hadn't bothered listening to it before but after doing so no wonder they got rid of him. Truly awful.

 

Never mind 1961 drummers, I'm glad audiences have figured to clap on the off-beat now.

 

That was the norm in those days

 

unfortunately, content is blocked for me.

 

I have to be honest. Love Me Do is actually a pretty boring song. I really think Pete is trying to spice it up a little. This version is not perfect but then again it is just a single take. If they kept working on it for several takes I really think they would of ended up with a really cool version- more exciting than the official versions.

The 1st time I heard this version I laughed but now that I listened to it multiple times I like it better than the official versions. It has more energy and Paul sounds more confident and like he is having fun!

 

I think it was a few things, one being that as long as Pete was in the band, Brian and the Beatles had to deal with Mona Best.

I'm sure Paul got his fur up with Pete also being the "most popular with the girls Beatle" and of course George was the one that wanted Ringo at first.

Ringo was better, yes, but look at all the grief he got over the years for his drumming. I remember the old false rumor about how Paul drummed on most of the White Album and Abbey Road.
I once read that Peter Best invented something called the Atomic Beat, and I want to believe he did.