Charles ‘Chas’ Newby, who played bass for The Beatles at several of their early gigs 56 years before joining The Quarrymen, has died today aged 81.

The news, which has inspired tribute messages from friends and fans, was announced this afternoon by The Cavern Club, Liverpool.

A spokesperson for the famous club said, “it's with great sadness to hear about the passing of Chas Newby.” “RIP Chas Newby thoughts and well wishes from everybody at The Cavern Club.”

A spokesperson for St Peter’s Church in Woolton, the location where John Lennon and Paul McCartney first met during a Quarrymen gig, sent the team’s “love, thoughts and prayers to Chas's family and friends.”

Stepping in as bassist during Stuart Sutcliffe’s stay in Hamburg in 1960, Chas was the first left-handed bassist in The Beatles.

“My real claim to fame was that I was the first left handed bass player to play with the Beatles.”

He told Liverpool Echo in 2019: "I borrowed a bass from a guy called Tommy McGuirk, but of course Tommy was right-handed, so I got this bass guitar and it's not as difficult as it sounds but I just played it upside down."

The whole team at The Beatles Story are saddened by the news of Chas’ passing, and send their thoughts to his family, friends and fans.