R.I.P.: Chas Newby, Former Bassist for The Beatles

 

(1942-2023)

Chas Newby, a bassist for The Beatles in their early days, has died aged 81.

The musician played a key role in the iconic band’s early success in the 1960s while the group’s original bassist, Stuart Sutcliffe, was away pursuing his art career.

A cause of death has not yet been announced, reports The NY Post.

Newby was a member of John Lennon’s first band The Quarrymen, and news of his death was announced by The Cavern Club Liverpool — a music venue where The Beatles performed before finding global stardom.

Newby: early days

“It’s with great sadness to hear about the passing of Chas Newby,” the venue wrote in a Facebook post. “Chas stepped in for The Beatles for a few dates when Stuart Sutcliffe stayed in Hamburg and latterly he played for The Quarrymen.”

“Interestingly, he was also the first left-handed bass guitarist in The Beatles. RIP Chas Newby thoughts and well wishes from everybody at The Cavern Club,” the post concluded.

Tributes have poured in since the news came to light, with Roag Best, the brother of former Beatles drummer Pete Best rushing to Facebook to pay his respects.