Тонкое искусство пофигизма

           Thisbandhadfunnyhaircutsandanevenfunniername,buttheirmusicwasundeniablygood,andtherecordindustrywasfinallytakingnotice.

           TherewasJohn,theleadsingerandsongwriter;Paul,theboyish-facedromanticbassplayer;George,therebelliousleadguitarplayer.Andthentherewasthedrummer.

           Hewasconsideredthebest-lookingofthebunch—thegirlsallwentwildforhim,anditwashisfacethatbegantoappearinthemagazinesfirst.Hewasthemostprofessionalmemberofthegrouptoo.Hedidn’tdodrugs.Hehadasteadygirlfriend.Therewereevenafewpeopleinsuitsandtieswhothoughtheshouldbethefaceoftheband,notJohnorPaul.

           HisnamewasPeteBest.Andin1962,afterlandingtheirfirstrecordcontract,theotherthreemembersoftheBeatlesquietlygottogetherandaskedtheirmanager,BrianEpstein,tofirehim.Epsteinagonizedoverthedecision.HelikedPete,soheputitoff,hopingtheotherthreeguyswouldchangetheirminds.

           Monthslater,amerethreedaysbeforetherecordingofthefirstrecordbegan,EpsteinfinallycalledBesttohisoffice.There,themanagerunceremoniouslytoldhimtopissoffandfindanotherband.Hegavenoreason,noexplanation,nocondolences—justtoldhimthattheotherguyswantedhimoutofthegroup,so,uh,bestofluck.

           Asareplacement,thebandbroughtinsomeoddballnamedRingoStarr.Ringowasolderandhadabig,funnynose.