Latest news with #PeteBest
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Tom Dunne: I'm delighted to see that Mandatory Metallica Weekend is back in my life
Metallica are coming. Two dates back-to-back in June 2026 with two completely different sets each night. A sound system that has set off seismic warnings and new meaning to 360-degree viewing. 2024 had Taylor, 2025 will be Oasis, 2026 will belong to Metallica. Quite how big Metallica are was revealed to me back in 1997. Something Happens were on an East Coast US tour, during the good old days when it didn't really matter who the president was, at least not by today's standards. It was Bill Clinton, seeing as you asked. The nadir of his presidency was a forthright declaration of 'I did not have sex with that woman.' It turned out the definition of what constituted 'sex' was a moot point. A stained dress said otherwise. Today, it looks like small potatoes. He wasn't exactly threatening Canada. We did that tour in a proper old-fashioned van, the type David Grohl says all bands must spend time if they want to be a 'real' band. A splitter van with the equipment in the back section and the band, forlorn and uncomfortable up front, behind the driver. To heighten our discomfort our driver/roadie/soundman was a Metallica fan. But he had a special skill: No matter where we were he could find a radio station playing Metallica. Sometimes stations that played ONLY Metallica! The phrase 'It's another Mandatory Metallica Weekend' haunts me still. It made for an interesting time. I came to realise that Metallica are not a band. They are a religion, a way of life, a universe. The new documentary Metallica Saved My Life, that accompanies the M72 world tour says it all. Fans tell their stories and yes, Metallica sometimes literally saved their lives. They are a fascinating band. Lars Ulrich – Metallica's Larry Mullen, the man who posted the note seeking like-minded souls – came to LA from Denmark to hopefully become a professional tennis player like his dad and his dad before him. It was a Deep Purple gig, aged 12, that scuppered that plan. The ad attracted the attention of James Hetfield. Hetfield's family were Christian Scientists and disapproved of modern medicine and medical treatments. When his mum fell ill with cancer she did not seek treatment. It's interesting that he (at 16), John Lennon (at 17), Paul McCartney (at 14), Bono (at 14) and Ray Charles (at 15) all lost their mums at that crucial part of their growing up. Hetfield's revisiting of that time ( The God that Failed and Until it Sleeps) produced some of Metallica's most powerful work. They also had a small Pete Best moment. Pete was famously dismissed from The Beatles and replaced with Ringo just as EMI dangled a contract. In 1981, as Metallica prepared to record their debut they fired guitarist Dave Mustaine, citing his issues with drink and drugs. They replaced him – on the same day – with Kirk Hammett, who is still with them. It's worth noting that Mustaine did not do a Pete Best and disappear from view. He set out to get revenge and formed Megadeath, who have since sold 50 million albums. Some might say it was the motivation he needed. Since then, there has been tragedy – the death of bassist Cliff Burton in a bus crash after they had drawn straws for bunks – and controversy a go-go. But with hindsight, those controversies look more the result of great wisdom with every passing day. Their first was a run in with the nascent Napster. Metallica were one of the very first bands to discover that their entire back catalogue was being disseminated for free. Their threat to 'sue fans' was a bad look in 2001. But at this point with streaming destroying livelihoods, I'm not so sure. Their second was the decision in 2002 to get in therapists during the recording of the St Anger album. Hetfield had gone into rehab and relations were strained in the band. Some saw seeking help as a sign of weakness amongst such apparently rock-hard men. Well, how very 20th century of those people. If I had a penny for every band whose lifespan was shortened or whose creative output was destroyed by intra-band tensions, grudges, immaturities, substance abuse, or pure pig-headedness, I would have a lot of pennies. The Clash to name but one. It is a testament to that wisdom that Metallica will be one of the music events of 2026. I for one can't wait. Mandatory Metallica, I have missed you.
CBS News
6 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Human remains found inside burned car has Anne Arundel residents "shocked"
Anne Arundel County residents were shocked to learn that human remains were found in a burned vehicle in a parking lot last weekend. Police continue to investigate after responding to a fully engulfed vehicle fire outside the Tropic Bay Aquatic Garden Center on West Central Avenue in Davidsonville. Once the fire was put out, the remains were located on the passenger side, according to police. "My wife called and asked me if I heard what happened. I was just shocked," said Davidsonville resident Pete Best. "It doesn't seem like the kind of thing that would happen in a small town." Anne Arundel County police are calling this a suspicious death investigation. The body was taken to the medical examiner for an autopsy and identification. "That certainly changed our investigation from what appeared to be an initial vehicle fire to a suspicious death investigation," said Anne Arundel County police spokesperson Justin Mulcahy. "That's where we're at right now." Unsettling discovery The circumstances are chilling and unsettling for residents. Best said he was playing a gig at the restaurant next door to Tropic Bay at the time of the discovery. "These kinds of things happen on TV, and then you go, 'Wow, I can't believe it's right around the corner," Best said. "It kind of puts you on your heels a little bit for sure." The Anne Arundel County Fire and Explosives Investigations Unit is looking into the cause of the vehicle fire while detectives work to piece together who the victim is and how they ended up in that burning car. Mulcahy hopes witnesses or surveillance video will help crack the case. "We're going to talk to anybody who may have frequented that business," Mulcahy said. "Anybody in the area of that business within the 24 hours leading up to this incident – if you have information, reach out to us. Certainly, any surveillance footage would be part of the investigation as well, or anything we can gather to assist our case right now." Anne Arundel County murders As of Friday, May 23, police have responded to six homicide victims in Anne Arundel County in 2025, according to the Anne Arundel County crime data. There were two at this point in 2024. Police investigated 10 total homicides in Anne Arundel County last year.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Beatles' Original Drummer Pete Best Shares 'Sad' Announcement
Pete Best, who was a part of the popular British band The Beatles before member joined in 1962, announced at the start of April that he was officially retiring from playing music. After around 20 years of not publicly playing drums, in 1988, Best formed The Pete Best Band, and he has been performing under the name with his younger brother Roag for decades. But in 2025, he is officially putting down the drumsticks. 🎬 🎬 Best's brother Roag shared the news on social media on April 5. He posted a photo of himself with Best on X, writing, "Well what an absolutely wonderful ride we've had. However, everything comes to pass. My brother Pete Best has announced today he is retiring from personal appearances and performing with the group." "His daughter has informed me it's due to personal circumstances," he concluded, sharing no further details about Best's decision. The next day, Best re-shared the post and added the simple message, "I had a blast. Thank you." Fans of Best and his band reacted to the news in the comments, with many thanking him for his hard work and wishing him well in his retirement. "Wishing you all good things and the best possible outcomes, sir," wrote one fan, as others commented, "Thank you Pete for being one of the most inspiring people I've ever met!" and "What a ride for the last 60 plus years! Thank you for the music, Pete! Enjoy retirement!" Another said, "So sad to read that news. I wish him a wonderful time with his family," while someone else called it the "End of an era."
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Original Beatles drummer Pete Best announces retirement due to ‘personal circumstances'
Pete Best, the original drummer for The Beatles, has announced his retirement. The 83-year-old drummed for the groundbreaking band from 1960 to 1962, which included some of their formative years playing in Liverpool and Hamburg, Germany. He had come to the attention of Beatles bassist Paul McCartney after performing at Best's mother's cafe and venue in Liverpool, The Casbah Coffee Club. In later years, Best continued to operate the Casbah and recently converted the space into a Beatles-themed Airbnb. It features a room dedicated to every member except his eventual replacement, Ringo Starr. Best also performed and toured with his own groups, The Pete Best Combo and The Pete Best Band. Posting on the Casbah's X/Twitter account, Best's brother Roag wrote: 'Well what an absolutely wonderful ride we've had. However, everything comes to pass. 'My brother Pete Best has announced today he is retiring from personal appearances and performing with the group. His daughter has informed me it's due to personal circumstances.' Best was born in Madras, India, on November 24, 1941. His family moved to Liverpool while he was still an infant, where his mother, Mona, later opened The Casbah Coffee Club in the cellar of their family home. The Quarrymen, a pre-Beatles band featuring McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ken Brown, went to the Casbah when they wanted to book their first gig. Mona Best agreed, but said she first needed help painting the club. The musicians picked up paint brushes and become the venue's decorators. In 2006, UK Culture Minister David Lammy announced that the club was to be given Grade II listed building status and a blue plaque commemorating its place in musical history. In 2024, it was converted into an Airbnb. Best played his last two gigs with The Beatles on August 15, 1962, at Liverpool's Cavern Club. The following day, he was informed he was being let go by Beatles manager Brian Epstein. After being replaced in the band by Starr, Best was offered the job of drummer in fellow group the Mersey Beats but turned it down. He later moved to the United States and formed the Pete Best Combo, and then the Pete Best Band. The early days of The Beatles in Hamburg have long been the subject of deep fascination. Last year, a contract for one of their early residencies in the city was auctioned for £30,000 ($38,000).
The Independent
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Original Beatles drummer Pete Best announces retirement due to ‘personal circumstances'
Pete Best, the original drummer for The Beatles, has announced his retirement. The 83-year-old drummed for the groundbreaking band from 1960 to 1962, which included some of their formative years playing in Liverpool and Hamburg, Germany. He had come to the attention of Beatles bassist Paul McCartney after performing at Best's mother's cafe and venue in Liverpool, The Casbah Coffee Club. In later years, Best continued to operate the Casbah and recently converted the space into a Beatles-themed Airbnb. It features a room dedicated to every member except his eventual replacement, Ringo Starr. Best also performed and toured with his own groups, The Pete Best Combo and The Pete Best Band. Posting on the Casbah's X/Twitter account, Best's brother Roag wrote: 'Well what an absolutely wonderful ride we've had. However, everything comes to pass. 'My brother Pete Best has announced today he is retiring from personal appearances and performing with the group. His daughter has informed me it's due to personal circumstances.' Best was born in Madras, India, on November 24, 1941. His family moved to Liverpool while he was still an infant, where his mother, Mona, later opened The Casbah Coffee Club in the cellar of their family home. The Quarrymen, a pre-Beatles band featuring McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ken Brown, went to the Casbah when they wanted to book their first gig. Mona Best agreed, but said she first needed help painting the club. The musicians picked up paint brushes and become the venue's decorators. In 2006, UK Culture Minister David Lammy announced that the club was to be given Grade II listed building status and a blue plaque commemorating its place in musical history. In 2024, it was converted into an Airbnb. Best played his last two gigs with The Beatles on August 15, 1962, at Liverpool's Cavern Club. The following day, he was informed he was being let go by Beatles manager Brian Epstein. After being replaced in the band by Starr, Best was offered the job of drummer in fellow group the Mersey Beats but turned it down. He later moved to the United States and formed the Pete Best Combo, and then the Pete Best Band. The early days of The Beatles in Hamburg have long been the subject of deep fascination.
