Pete Best celebrates Paul McCartney’s birthday with a really cheeky request

Paul McCartney celebrated his 82nd birthday on Tuesday, prompting one of his former bandmates to send the legendary Beatles singer a birthday message – albeit with a cheeky request.

Pete Best, who was the band’s drummer in the early 1960s, posted the tribute to McCartney on social media on Wednesday and wished the rock icon a happy birthday.

But Best had also applied – as the opening act for McCartney in Manchester, England, where he is scheduled to play in December.

“Belated happy birthday. Not long now,” wrote the drummer. “Let me know if you want me to open for you in Manchester. Imagine that. That would be something.”

As expected, there is some history between the two former Beatles.

Best was replaced as the band’s drummer by Ringo Starr in August 1962 after he reportedly failed to impress producer George Martin with his sense of rhythm.

Best claimed he never received an explanation as to why he was expelled from the group, but he told the Irish Times in 2020 that he did not resent McCartney for his dismissal.

So far, the singer of “Maybe I’m Amazed” has not responded to Best’s generous offer to perform as the opening act, but that’s normal.

Although McCartney reportedly contacted Best around the time the Beatles’ “Anthology” albums were released in the 1990s, Best told The Irish Times he has not spoken to any of his former bandmates since leaving the group.

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