Andy White, drummer on The Beatles’ ‘Love Me Do,’ dies at 85

Andy White, a prolific session drummer best known for recording a song with The Beatles, has died. He was 85.

The Glasgow native had been living in New Jersey. His death was announced by the New York Metro Pipe Band on Monday, reports the AFP.

White only recorded with the Beatles once, back in 1962. Producer George Martin hired him to play on the session for “Love Me Do” and “P.S. I Love You” because he still wasn’t confident in Ringo Starr’s playing ability.

The “Love Me Do” take with Starr playing tambourine and White on drums was used for the singles. The White version was included on Please Please Me in the U.K. and can be heard on the Please Please Me CD. You can hear Starr’s version on the Past Masters CD.

White also played with Tom Jones, Dusty Springfield, Engelbert Humperdinck, Petula Clark and Herman’s Hermit. His drumming can be heard on Jones’ smash hit “It’s Not Unusual.”

Here’s White talking about recording “Love Me Do.”