TRIBUTES have been paid to Chas Newby, a much-loved former Droitwich Spa High School teacher who also played bass for The Beatles.
Chas, who died this week 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.
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, who he married in 1968. He then moved to Alcester a few years later.
Chas completed his masters 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.
His son Steve said: “He loved working at Droitwich, he was such a kind man and took great pleasure in helping some of the more difficult children – he could connect with young people who were struggling in a way others simply couldn’t.
“I am quite often stopped by people who told me how he changed their view of maths – it’s amazing to see the impact he had on people’s lives.”
Long before teaching, Chas helped many people, including Steve’s friend, who was struggling with his maths studies but went on to achieve great success due to Chas’ assistance.
Steve added: “As a man he was faultless, it’s been so comforting to see the outpouring of love for him and media attention after this week’s news.
“It was an honour to have been involved in his life and I’m pleased he’s getting this recognition as great people deserve to be remembered.”
Former Droitwich Spa High School students have taken to social media to remember ‘Mr Newby’.
Mark Williams, who was in Chas’s form group, described him as ‘someone who always listened and had a great sense of humour’.
In recent years, Chas became a member of Alcester band the Racketts, which raised cash for various charities through performances.
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.
