Beatles drummer declared illustrious visitor in Lima

Lima, June 17 (IANS/EFE) The first drummer of The Beatles, Pete Best, was declared an "illustrious visitor" by the mayor of the Lima district of San Miguel, Salvador Heresi, a lover of the legendary British band's music.

Best arrived in the Peruvian capital to give a concert Sunday in honour of his ex-musical group called "A Day in the Life", together with Peruvian musicians and singers who were fans of The Beatles.

The mayor of San Miguel invited Best to visit the park and monument dedicated to John Lennon, the late leader of the famous rock group, then sang him several of the group's songs accompanied by other Peruvian musicians.

In a statement on Peru's RPP radio, the drummer said he had "no fear" of playing with the surviving members of the band - Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr - though he doubted that such as session would ever happen.

Best said he would have liked to play with them on "The White Album" because he considered it the most varied of all their records.

The musician said he finally got even with Ringo Starr, the drummer who displaced him from the group, by getting to Peru before him.

Ringo is scheduled to give a concert in Lima next November.

--IANS/EFE

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