Here are two of my heroes. Because they're survivors. Because they never gave up.

[raccoon]

Brian Wilson



http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/06/12/13n_best,0.jpg

Pete Best
Beatles' drummer from 1960-1962

[Aristus]

1. Pete Best never gave up? That's not what I understand.

I seem to recall that he gave up music and became a baker. Now, he may be a damn good baker, but if he's not still drumming for insanely talented music groups, one could argue that, yes, he did give up.

[raccoon]

2. Not exactly--check out these links.

The Pete Best Band

Pete Best regularly tours the U.S. with The Pete Best Band, sharing the drumming with his younger brother Roag.<84> On 6 July 2007, Pete Best was inducted into the All You Need Is Liverpool Music Hall of Fame as the debut Charter Member. Best was presented with a framed certificate before his band performed.<85> Their new album Haymans Green, made from entirely original material, is planned to be released on 16 September 2008 in the USA, the 24 October 2008 worldwide (excluding the UK) and the 27 October 2008 in the UK.<86>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Best


The Bests both took early retirement and changed their lives to fit around the reborn Pete Best Band.

Both he and Roag play drums; he says they have a big, powerhouse sound like the one he developed with the Beatles in Hamburg all those years ago. "We play the music I played during my time with a rock'n'roll band and the stuff I did at the Decca sessions and with EMI (with the Beatles). And yeah, having been an icon is a natural thing for people to hang their hats on, but once they've seen the band perform, the Beatles link is gone. It's very much Pete Best and the boys."

As I leave it strikes me there is nothing at all tragic about Pete Best. He has exactly the life he would have wanted when he started playing with his mates, all those years ago. It's fun. He enjoys those Beatles Q&As because he loves meeting people. Raking over the past doesn't feel at all painful.

Today and tomorrow, he says, are what counts.

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/12/1086749942832.html

[Aristus]

3. Thanks for the links! You know, I thought I had heard something like that, but

I totally spaced on it when I posted my reply. Well, then, I'm happy for Pete Best and happy for you. I like a person who, when it seems he may have missed out on the opportunity of a lifetime, says later that he has exactly the life he wants. That's real emotional maturity. B-)

[Bake]

4. I heard some recent cuts from Pete Best Band this past Sunday

My station here carries Little Steven's Underground Garage (Steven Van Zandt) - GREAT show, by the way - and it was pretty good stuff.

Bake