Pete Best, but it's complicated.

Yes, Pete Best was the Beatles’ drummer before Ringo Starr. He played with them from 1960 to 1962, including their early Hamburg gigs and the first recordings (the “Decca audition”). But he wasn’t the original original — the band had a few drummers before him (Tommy Moore, Norman Chapman, etc.) who lasted weeks or sessions.

Pete got fired in August 1962, right before they met George Martin and started recording for EMI. The official reason was that his drumming wasn’t good enough. The real story is probably more about personality and band chemistry. Ringo was already a friend and a better fit.

So if someone asks “who was the Beatles’ original drummer,” the short answer is Pete Best. If they want to be pedantic, say “there were half a dozen before Ringo.” Either way, Pete got a raw deal but also dodged the insanity of Beatlemania, so it’s not all bad.