Chas Newby, former Beatles bassist, dies at 81

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Chas Newby, who once played as a bassist for The Beatles, has died. He was 81.

His son, Steve Newby, confirmed with Fox News Digital that the news of his father's death came as a "bit of a shock."

"He wasn't very well, but I don't think any of us expected it to happen so quickly. He'd been suffering [from] cancer for a few years."

Newby had two children, Steve and a daughter named Jacqui. He was a grandfather to four.

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Chas Newby passed away at 81 earlier this week. (BPM Media)

Steve continued to say that there are "so many" fond memories of his late father that he "couldn't pick any out instantly."

"One thing that does stick out was his last performance with The Quarrymen, which was filmed for a Dutch TV documentary."

He added, "He was a brilliant father. He was always laid back… he never got angry or any of that rubbish… a nice bloke. You couldn't ask for more."

The Blackpool native was additionally remembered by the Cavern Club Liverpool music venue.

The Beatles, from left, George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney, pose outside Abbey Road Studios in London. (Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

"It's with great sadness to hear about the passing of Chas Newby," the club said in a Facebook post. "Chas stepped in for The Beatles for a few dates when Stuart Sutcliffe stayed in Hamburg and latterly he played for The Quarrymen."

"Interestingly, he was also the first left-handed bass guitarist in The Beatles," the post added. "RIP Chas Newby thoughts and well wishes from everybody at The Cavern Club."

The "fifth Beatle" played with the band briefly in the 1960s during Sutcliffe’s absence from the band as he focused on his art career. 

Newby had previously played with John Lennon's original band, The Quarrymen. He rejoined the group later in his life, playing with the group from 2016 until his death.

Fans honored Newby after the devastating news was announced.

Sitting in front of the inscription "Their Name Liveth For Evermore" are, from left, Beatles manager Allan Williams, his wife Beryl, calypso singer Lord Woodbine, Stuart Sutcliffe, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best. (Getty Images)

One wrote, "What an amazing history [Chas] had, and you would never know the unassuming man having a pint next to you held such a part in the history of the musical legacy that was the Beatles."

After performing with The Beatles in the 1960s, Lennon asked Newby to join their Germany tour, according to his son Steve.

John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison during their first U.S. tour. (GAB Archive/Redferns)

Newby turned down the offer and had other career goals in mind. He wanted to obtain his university degree.

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In 2012, Newby expressed he was happy with his decision, during an interview with the Sunday Mercury.

"Music was never going to be a living for me. I wanted to do chemistry," he pointed out at the time.

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"John, Paul [McCartney] and George [Harrison], they just wanted to be musicians."

The Beatles perform "Rain" and "Paperback Writer" on BBC TV show "Top Of The Pops" in London June 16, 1966. (Mark and Colleen Hayward/Redferns)

"People sometimes don’t believe me when I say I’ve no regrets. But I really haven’t."

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Newby went on to be a math teacher and left a tremendous impact on his students. 

Following his death, Newby’s students honored the late scholar and legendary musician.

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"Many [ex-students] sharing condolences. He helped me greatly in improving my [math] and I have never forgotten that. Always exciting to have a [math] teacher who could say he played with the Beatles! One of the first school legends you were told."