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Andy White, “Love Me Do” drummer, dies aged 85

The Scottish drummer also played with Lulu and Tom Jones

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Andy White, who played drums on The Beatles’ debut single “Love Me Do“, has died aged 85.

Rolling Stone reports that he suffered a stroke last Thursday and died on Monday [November 9, 2015].

According to the BBC News, “Love Me Do” was initially recorded during the group’s EMI audition in June 1962 with Pete Best on drums.

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Three months later, Ringo Starr performed on the song during a September 4, 1962 session at Abbey Road, but producer George Martin was unhappy with the results.

Another version was recorded on September 11, with White on drums and Starr relegated to playing tambourine.

White was reportedly paid £5 for three hours of work and received no royalties.

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The version with White on drums was released in America as a single.

White, who was born in Glasgow in 1930, also played on “P.S. I Love You” and is also believed to have played on the album version of “Please Please Me”.

An in-demand session musician, White also played on records by Lulu and Tom Jones and toured with Marlene Dietrich, Burt Bacharach and Rod Stewart.

He lived in America for many years, where he taught Scottish-style pipes and drums in New Jersey.

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