# Which of the Following Was Not a Member of The Beatles? The Beatles have become arguably the most influential music act of all time. Comprised of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, The Beatles shot to international superstardom in the 1960s at the helm of Beatlemania fever. However, The Beatles’ origins started small just a few years prior. Who was not a member of Beatles during those early days, before the earth-shattering fame? While many names have floated around The Beatles over the decades, only the core four made up the official Fab Four lineup that changed music forever. **Finding The Fab Four** In the late 1950s, a young John Lennon had a promising little skiffle group called The Quarrymen, named after his high school. Classmate Paul McCartney joined in 1957. George Harrison completed the founding triad in 1958 when he was recruited in despite being four years younger. He impressed John and Paul with his precocious guitar talent well beyond his age. The core trio began playing small gigs together, slowly crafting The Beatles’ early identity during the emerge years. Stu Sutcliffe and Pete Best were integral parts of the band in these critical formative years [who was not a member of Beatles](https://rockaloha.com/blog/who-was-not-a-member-of-the-beatles/) when they built their base as a club act in Liverpool and Hamburg. **The “Fifth Beatle" Candidates** Stuart Sutcliffe joined Lennon’s band in 1960 to play bass, even though he didn't have much musical skill at the time. But as a promising young painter and John’s close art school friend, Stu embodied the early Beatles image as brainy, arty bad boys in black leather. Stu created the iconic Beatles “moptop” hairstyle and was key in cultivating their role as rebels of the rock scene. However, Stu departed the band after two years to pursue painting full-time. Sadly, he died shortly after in 1962 at only 21 years old. If not for his untimely death, Stu may have very well earned an official place as the fifth Beatle. Pete Best was recruited by the young band in 1960 to be their drummer. Pete rounded out the band for over 200 shows across Liverpool and Hamburg from 1960-1962. With great hair and drummer skills, Pete was a popular member of the early Beatles. But when the band was discovered by manager Brian Epstein in 1961, Pete was infamously replaced by Ringo Starr in 1962 due to personality conflicts. Ringo turned out to be the final puzzle piece fitting snugly into what became the Fab Four phenomenon. Pete unfairly missed the boat on the fame that should have also been his. Who knows how a Beatles with Pete Read more: [Who Was Not A Member Of The Beatles?](https://whowasnotamemberofbeatles.doorkeeper.jp/) **Best would have turned out?** Jimmy Nicol briefly stepped in as substitute drummer for Ringo in 1964 when Ringo suddenly fell ill with tonsillitis right before The Beatles’ pivotal world tour. Jimmy gamely filled the huge role for 13 whirlwind shows across Australia, Europe and England while Ringo recovered in the hospital. Jimmy relished his brief fame, but he wasn't intended to be Ringo's permanent replacement. When Ringo returned healthy barely two weeks later, Jimmy receded into the shadows, having enjoyed the closest seat possible to the eye of Beatlemania. But WHO WAS NOT A MEMBER OF BEATLES? Someone lacking that official membership parchment. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Stu Sutcliffe in their early Quarrymen days. **The Core Four Reigns** While Stu Sutcliffe, Pete Best, and Jimmy Nicol each played with early forms of the band, the official Beatles lineup crystallized in 1962 to become John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Their fateful musical chemistry as songwriters and performers launched them into pop music immortality never duplicated before or since. Stu tragically died, Pete was unceremoniously ousted, and Jimmy filled in briefly during an emergency. Any of them could have stayed to become the fifth Beatle if circumstances had played out differently. Instead, the core four wrote themselves into history as the definitive Fab Four of the last century. WHO WAS NOT A MEMBER OF BEATLES? Anyone, sadly, lacking that official seal of membership bestowed only to John, Paul, George and Ringo in the end. The Beatles went on to amass an unrivaled collection of smash hits such as “She Loves You,” “Twist and Shout,” “Help!” and “Hey Jude.” Their hair, suits, boots and flair set global fashion trends through the 60s. And their studio experimentation birthed entire new genres like psychedelia and progressive rock. While other bands have had phenomenal success since, none have matched the overwhelmingly pervasive influence The Beatles had through the latter 20th century into today. The Fab Four of John, Paul, George and Ringo became entertainment icons who were what every musician aspired to be - a member of The Beatles.! The Fab Four – John, Paul, George and Ringo – cemented their legendary musical legacy. Read more: [Who Was Never A Member Of The Beatles?](https://www.metooo.io/e/whowasnotamemberofbeatles) **Their Legacy Lives On** So while Stu Sutcliffe, Pete Best, and Jimmy Nicol came close, WHO WAS NOT A MEMBER OF BEATLES? Anyone besides the legendary John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Their phenomenal talent and enduring catalog has kept their music alive for over fifty years since their inception. Millennials and Gen Z-ers today remain drawn to timeless Beatles records like “Let It Be”, “Come Together” and “In My Life.” The magic woven by The Beatles’ core four continues inspiring new musicians and delighting worldwide audiences of all ages today. Thanks to prolific and genius-level songwriting, one band created the soundtrack and sentiment for multiple generations. With such precious musical gifts bestowed exclusively by the certified Fab Four, one can only wonder...who would ever need to be a fifth Beatle?