WHEELS have been set in motion for a town tribute to former Droitwich Spa High School teacher Chas Newby, 65 years after he was a bassist for The Beatles.
Chas, who died back in 2023 aged 81, stepped in for several Fab Four gigs in December 1960.
It came after the band’s first visit to Hamburg because fellow bassist Stuart Sutcliffe had stayed in Germany for Christmas when the band returned to Liverpool.
To mark the 65th anniversary of this, Chas’s son Steve spoke exclusively to the Standard about his father’s time with The Beatles and his love of teaching at Droitwich Spa High.
He said it would be lovely for his ‘diamond’ of a father to be remembered in Droitwich and have his remarkable story more widely recognised.
He told The Standard: “I still get people even today telling me they remember Dad when he was a maths teacher, it’s lovely.
“It’s a wonderful thing when people find out the story about dad and The Beatles and are taken aback by it- it really is quite funny when they realise what my dad did.
“As I understand, my dad’s performances with The Beatles were the first time he ever remembered people weren’t sitting down while watching the show, people were just getting out of their seats, dancing.
“It was different to anything he ever felt before. There was a vibe in the room, and that was the spark that became Beatlemania.
“He got on well with all of the Beatles; it was all quite harmonious.
“To say the Beatles were ahead of their time was an understatement, but he wasn’t particularly bothered by it; to him, it wasn’t a major thing, just a chapter in his story.
“It’s a good thing that people are remembered; it would be a great idea to have some sort of memorial or tribute in Droitwich, as it will allow Dad’s story and what he did to become more widely known.”
Chas returned to college and work after his eventful Christmas on stage with John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison, building his own life with his future wife Margaret, whom he married in 1968. He then moved to Alcester a few years later.
Chas completed his master’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 1970 and worked in the aerospace industry until 1990, but decided to change careers after being made redundant.
He shared his knowledge with others as a maths teacher at Droitwich Spa High.
And in 2016 he began performing around the world as a member of The Quarrymen, the precursor band to The Beatles which John Lennon originally formed.
Steve added: “There are many facets to a diamond, and my dad was a diamond of a person.
“He absolutely loved teaching, he got on really well with the staff and the students.
“He took pleasure in helping the children that were unsalable and would connect with them and get something out of them.
“It’s a really rare talent and sets him apart.”
The Standard contacted Droitwich Town Councillor Bob Brookes to see the feasibility of having a memorial or tribute in Droitwich.
He said Chas’s story was a fascinating one he’d never heard before, and added there would be many people willing to help Steve pay tribute to his father in Droitwich.
He added he would be happy to talk to Steve and discuss potential options with him.
* Did you know Chas Newby, and do you have any suggestions on how he could be honoured in Droitwich? Email [email protected] with your thoughts.
