The Beatles: Pete Best
Perhaps the most well-known example of a musician who left a band too soon is Pete Best, the original drummer for the Beatles. Best joined Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison in 1960 and toured with them throughout Germany and the U.K. However, when the Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein negotiated a record deal with E.M.I., George Martin was unimpressed with Pete.
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Martin thought Best’s timing was inadequate, that he wasn’t suitable for studio work and should be replaced by a session drummer. The rest of the band didn’t protest and had Epstein fire Best, whom Ringo Starr replaced in 1962.