Chas Newby had a stint with The Beatles when he served as the bassist. The music world has saddened after news broke that he passed away according to the Cavern Club Liverpool music venue. The Blackpool native was 81 when he died earlier this week.
“It’s with great sadness to hear about the passing of Chas Newby,” the club said 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,” the post added. “RIP Chas Newby thoughts and well wishes from everybody at The Cavern Club.”
The “fifth Beatle” played with the band briefly in the 1960s during Sutcliffe’s absence from the band as he focused on his art career. Newby had previously played with John Lennon’s original band, The Quarrymen. He rejoined the group later in his life, playing with the group from 2016 until his death.
Fans honored Newby after the devastating news was announced.
One wrote:
“What an amazing history [Chas] had, and you would never know the unassuming man having a pint next to you held such a part in the history of the musical legacy that was the Beatles.”
After performing with The Beatles in the 1960s, Lennon reportedly asked Newby to join their Germany tour. Newby turned down the offer and had other career goals in mind. He wanted to obtain his university degree. Newby went on to be a math teacher and left a tremendous impact on his students.
Following his death, Newby’s students honored the late scholar and legendary musician.
“Many [ex-students] sharing condolences. He helped me greatly in improving my [math] and I have never forgotten that. Always exciting to have a [math] teacher who could say he played with the Beatles! One of the first school legends you were told.”
