Do you recall Jimmy Nicol? Probably not, but for ten days in 1964, he was a Beatle. Just before embarking on their 1964 world tour, Ringo Starr was hospitalized with tonsillitis, and Brian Epstein had to decide whether to cancel the tour. Instead, he enlisted Nicol, a London drummer who had recorded Beatles covers and knew the songs. Nicol had played in several bands and was also a session drummer. Beginning on June 4th, he played eight concerts with the Beatles in Denmark, Netherlands, Hong Kong, and Australia. Nicol was offered £2,500 per performance and a £2,500 bonus.
As a working musician, Nicol thought he knew what it was to be a celebrity, but he didn't know what he was getting into. Suddenly, women were throwing themselves at him, the Beatles were out-drinking him, and police were escorting him to brothels. Yet when he ventured out alone, no one knew who he was. Ten days later, Ringo rejoined the band and Nicol caught a flight back to obscurity all alone. The experience changed him. Although he continued to play music, nothing could compare to his experience with the Beatles. Nicol never tried to capitalize on his brief stint with the Beatles, and in later years he avoided all media attention. Read Jimmy Nicol's story at Wikipedia. -via Messy Nessy Chic
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