Tony Sheridan dies: The Beatles' first collaborator was 72

Without Tony Sheridan, it's possible the world would never have been introduced to The Beatles. The band played backup for him in their infancy, beginning in 1960. Sadly, Sheridan passed away Saturday, at 72, the New York Times reports.

The makeup of the band was different in the beginning. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison were all on guitar, with Stu Sutcliffe on bass, and Pete Best on drums. Sheridan claimed that, when Best left the band in 1962, he introduced them to Ringo Starr, who became the permanent replacement.

Sheridan's records were also the first commercial recordings to feature the Beatles. Of the nine songs they recorded together, only one features vocals that weren't Sheridan's. Lennon sang on "Ain't She Sweet."

Once the first single, "My Bonnie," was released, The Beatles became a success, with fans flocking to stores to buy the record. They went on to record their own albums, the first being "Please Please Me," which was recorded 50 years ago this month.

Sheridan toured through Europe in the 1960s with the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis and Chubby Checker, before going on a tour of American military bases in Vietnam, during the way. He continued to record, with his most recent recordings happening in the early 2000s. Sheridan lived out his days in Northern Germany, having three children with his wife.