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.
