Bill Smith is probably the most obscure documented early member of
the Quarry Men, the group that evolved into
the Beatles. He was one of several guys (
Len Garry,
Nigel Whalley, and
Ivan Vaughan were others) to play tea chest bass, an instrument common to skiffle ensembles, in the band at some point.
Smith was apparently only in the group for a bit before being replaced by
Len Garry when he went away to sea.
–
Richie Unterberger, Rovi