Chas Newby, an English bassist who once played a string of gigs with the Beatles in the 1960s, has died at 81.
Chas Newby, an English rock bassist and brief member of the Beatles in the early 1960s, died this week at 81.
Friends and members of the Liverpool rock scene confirmed Newby’s death on Tuesday, with many remembering him as “the first left-handed bass guitarist in the Beatles.” Paul McCartney became the second when he eventually moved over to bass. Newby’s cause of death was not immediately disclosed.
“Both Pete and I and the whole Best family absolutely [devastated] to hear the very sad news with regards to one of the families closest friends Chas Newby passing last night,” wrote Roag Best, younger brother of former Beatles drummer Pete Best, on his Facebook account Tuesday morning.
“Many of you will know him for playing bass guitar for both The Beatles and The Quarrymen, but to us he was laid back Chas with the big smile,” Best continued. “We’ll truly miss him. Forever in our thoughts. God bless you Chas x.”
The Cavern Club, a Liverpool venue that hosted some of the Beatles’ early shows, also mourned Newby’s death “with great sadness.”
When the Beatles called his name in 1960, Newby was in the middle of his second year at St. Helens College, where he was studying chemistry and chemical engineering. The band was touring in Germany and was in need of a bassist after George Harrison had been deported for performing at clubs while underage, according to a 2020 Rock & Roll Globe interview with Newby during which the rocker recalled his days with the Beatles.
