In May of 1960, The Beatles (then named The Silver Beetles) secured a drummer, who was acquired for them through the efforts of their manager Allan Williams, was Tommy Moore. Tommy's tenure as drummer was short-lived as he made his last appearance with the Silver Beetles on June 13 at the Jacaranda Club (which Williams owned).



During this month, they failed an audition for Larry Parnes as a possible backup band for Billy Fury but were selected as backup band for Johnny Gentle on a tour of Scotland. During the first half of their audition, Johnny Hutchinson sat in as drummer as Tommy Moore was late showing up. Shortly after their return from Scotland, Tommy Moore quit as their drummer having gotten fed up with the conditions of the tour and having had enough of John Lennon. And so again The Beatles were drummerless.



The Beatles seem to have trouble finding and keeping a good drummer. Bandmanager Allan Williams tells the story of the night they found a drummer they didn't want to keep. It happened at an appearance at the Garston Baths. The Beatles (or Silver Beetles as they were then being called) lacked a drummer on this particular night. John was concerned that this lack on their part might not be very well received by the customers at the Garston Baths, so he made an offer to the audience for anyone who could play drums and would like to perform with The Beatles to come up on stage.



A young tough named Ronnie decided to take John up on his offer and joined the Beatles on stage behind the drum kit. Ronnie couldn't drum at all, but decided he'd like to join the group on a permanent basis. A call to their manager Allan Williams by John Lennon resolved the situation. Ronnie didn't become a Beatle and John Lennon never again asked for "volunteers" from the audience.



In July of 1960 the band acquired yet another drummer for a short time: Norman Chapman.