Editing Brian Epstein (section)

===Dismissal of Pete Best===
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By early 1962, the Beatles had played several gigs with [[Ringo Starr]] on occasions when [[Pete Best]] was ill, and they had performed at a recording session with Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison in Hamburg.{{sfn|Miles|1997|p=90}} The Beatles enjoyed Starr's drumming style and social demeanor with the band, whereas Best rarely socialized with the other band members after gigs.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=530}} Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison had also long believed Best to be a stylistically limited drummer.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=375, 407}} McCartney later remarked, "It had got to the stage that Pete was holding us back. What were we gonna do—pretend he was a wonderful drummer?"{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=651}}

After the group's first recording session on 6 June 1962, George Martin felt that using an experienced studio session drummer rather than Best would improve the recording (this was in accordance with normal practice at the time).{{sfn|Miles|1997|p=90}} Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison decided Best needed to be replaced and, uncomfortable with sacking him themselves, asked Epstein to sack Best so that Starr could join the band.<ref name="EpsteinCom" />{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=651}} Epstein was aware the Beatles had discussed replacing Best but hoped it would not happen, as he was not yet fond of Starr.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=651}} Epstein agonised about the decision, asking the Cavern's disc jockey Bob Wooler if it were a good idea. Wooler replied that Best was "very popular with the fans", who would not like it at all.{{sfn|Spitz|2005|p=329}} Despite his reservations, Epstein accepted the Beatles' decision: "They liked Ringo, and I trusted the boys' judgment. If they were happy, so was I."{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=652}}

Epstein's task of sacking Best was complicated by the fact that he was under contract to provide management to all four members of the Beatles. Epstein thus had to secure paid work for Best if he was to leave the group.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=652}} Epstein consulted a lawyer, who informed him that the Beatles could not simply expel Best under the terms of their contract; they could only legally disband and then re-form with Starr.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=652}} Epstein planned to have Best become the drummer for [[the Merseybeats]] as an alternative that would satisfy his commitment to provide Best work.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=672}}

In the meantime, Starr was playing with [[Rory Storm]] and the Hurricanes, the resident group at [[Butlins Skegness|Butlins']] holiday complex in [[Skegness]]. Epstein searched for drummers who could temporarily fill in for Best until Starr was available to join the Beatles, such as [[Joe Brown (singer)|Joe Brown]]'s drummer, Bobby Graham.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=662}} He also offered the position to [[Johnny Hutchinson]] of [[The Big Three (English band)|the Big Three]], a group that Epstein managed at that time as well. Hutchinson turned down the offer, saying, "Pete Best is a very good friend of mine. I couldn't do the dirty on him"—although Hutchinson did play for the Beatles at short notice when Best did not turn up on the evening of his dismissal and for two subsequent bookings, until Starr was able to join.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.triumphpc.com/mersey-beat/a-z/petebest3.shtml |title=Bill Harry on Pete Best's Sacking |publisher=Triumphpc.com |access-date=22 October 2011}}</ref> 

Epstein finally dismissed Best on 16 August, more than two months after the first recording session at EMI Studios. He called Best and [[Neil Aspinall]] to his office on Whitechapel Street, where he informed Best that the Beatles would be replacing him with Starr. When Best asked why, Epstein told him, "Mainly because they think you're not a good enough drummer. And also because at EMI Studios, George Martin said, 'the drummer isn't good enough'."{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=674}}

With the band's lineup now solidified, Epstein had his solicitor draw up a new management contract for the Beatles.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=675}}