S2 E6: Something About the "Best" Early Beatles Story

This week the roles are reversed and Melissa is sharing a story. Emily takes over hosting duties to listen to Melissa share a story in early Beatles history. Melissa tells us the tale of Mona Best, mother of original Beatles drummer, Pete Best. This often overlooked figure in Beatles history turns out to be a fascinating individual and is a story full of surprises!

Melissa explains how after marrying John Best, Mona moves from India to Liverpool to raise their family. Being in a new place with few people to relate to, Mona decides to do something drastic to take control of her own trajectory. She pawns her jewelry and bets it all on a horse race. She wins big and uses the money to purchase an old Victorian home to realize a vision that she can see for herself.

Mona fixes up the home and converts it into a coffee and music club. Although her husband didn’t support her vision, the kids of the area saw the potential that Mona saw. Teenagers volunteered their time to help clean and decorate the space, eager to have a new cool hangout they can attend. Furnished with a record player and an espresso machine, the Casbah Club was born!

Among the musical groups that performed at the club was a name most Beatle fans recognise, the Quarrymen; the group created by John Lennon which later evolved into the Beatles. Melissa shared how John Lennon himself was among the teenagers who helped fix up the space, even carving his name into the wall which can still be seen today!


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Producers: Gary Jacob, Melissa Brumm

Editor: Emily Clopton

Theme Music: King Mixer



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Melissa Brumm