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{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = The Beatles
| name = The Beatles
| image = The Fabs.JPG
| image = The Beatles members at New York City in 1964.jpg
| caption = The Beatles in 1964. Clockwise from top left: [[John Lennon]], [[Paul McCartney]], [[Ringo Starr]] and [[George Harrison]]
| caption = The Beatles in 1964. Clockwise from top left: [[John Lennon]], [[Paul McCartney]], [[Ringo Starr]] and [[George Harrison]]
| alt = A square quartered into four head shots of young men with moptop haircuts. All four wear white shirts and dark coats.
| alt = A square quartered into four head shots of young men with moptop haircuts. All four wear white shirts and dark coats.
| background = group_or_band
| background = group_or_band
| origin = [[Liverpool]], England
| origin = [[Liverpool]], England
| genre = {{hlist|<!-- Current consensus is to list ONLY Rock and pop. Please do not add other genres or sub-genres without first reaching consensus with other editors on the talk page. Thank you. -->[[Rock music|Rock]]| [[Pop music|pop]]| [[Psychedelic rock]]| [[Psychedelic pop]]}}
| genre = {{hlist|<!-- Current consensus is to list ONLY Rock and pop. Please do not add other genres or sub-genres without first reaching consensus with other editors on the talk page. Thank you. -->[[Rock music|Rock]]| [[Pop music|pop]]|beat|[[psychedelic rock|psychedelia]]}}
| years_active = 1960–1970<!--Please discuss on talk page before changing.-->
| years_active = 1960–1970<!--Please discuss on talk page before changing.-->
| label = {{flatlist|
| label = {{flatlist|
Line 27: Line 27:
}}
}}
[[File:The Beatles and the Beatlemania.webm|thumb|261x261px|A simple video summary about The Beatles]]
[[File:The Beatles and the Beatlemania.webm|thumb|261x261px|A simple video summary about The Beatles]]
'''The Beatles''' were an English rock-pop band, started in [[Liverpool]], [[England]] in 1960. The members were [[John Lennon]], [[Paul McCartney]], [[George Harrison]], and [[Ringo Starr]]. Most people say they are the most [[wikt:success|successful]] and [[wikt:Influence|influential]] band in the history of [[popular music]].{{sfn|Hasted|2017|p=425}} The group were a main part of the creation of [[counterculture of the 1960s|1960s counterculture]]. They began as a [[skiffle]] and [[beat music|beat]] band and were influenced by 1950s American [[rock and roll]]. In their later years the band became experimental with genres such as different types of rock, avant-garde music and orchestral music. Some credit songs such as Helter Skelter and I Want You (She’s So Heavy) as being the origins of metal and punk music. Many bands look at the Beatles as influential with their music throughout their 10 years.
'''The Beatles''' were an English pop/rock band, started in [[Liverpool]], [[England]] in 1960. The members were [[John Lennon]], [[Paul McCartney]], [[George Harrison]], and [[Ringo Starr]]. Most people say they are the most [[wikt:success|successful]] and [[wikt:Influence|influential]] band in the history of [[popular music]].{{sfn|Hasted|2017|p=425}} The group were a main part of the creation of [[counterculture of the 1960s|1960s counterculture]]. They began as a skiffle band, and were influenced by 1950s American [[rock and roll]]. In their later years, the band was experimental with genres such as different types of rock, [[classical music|classical]], and Indian music.


Their main [[songwriter]]s were [[Lennon–McCartney|Lennon and McCartney]]. Before The Beatles became popular, they played in [[Social club|clubs]] in Liverpool and [[Hamburg]] over three years between 1960 and 1963, with [[Stuart Sutcliffe]] playing [[bass guitar|bass]]. They went through many [[drum|drummers]], including [[Pete Best]], before finally asking Ringo Starr to join in 1962. Sutcliffe also quit, meaning Paul McCartney started playing the bass instead. [[Brian Epstein]] was their manager and [[George Martin]] produced most of their music. Their first single was "[[Love Me Do]]", in late 1962. It was a hit and they became popular in the [[United Kingdom]]. As they became more popular, the [[press]] called the popularity "[[Beatlemania]]".
Their main [[songwriter]]s were [[Lennon–McCartney|Lennon and McCartney]]. Before The Beatles became popular, they played in clubs in Liverpool and [[Hamburg]] over three years between 1960 and 1963, with [[Stuart Sutcliffe]] playing [[bass guitar|bass]]. They went through many [[drum]]mers, including [[Pete Best]], before finally asking Ringo Starr to join in 1962. Sutcliffe also quit, meaning Paul McCartney started playing the bass instead. [[Brian Epstein]] was their manager and [[George Martin]] produced most of their music. Their first single was "[[Love Me Do]]", in late 1962. It was a hit and they became popular in the [[United Kingdom]]. As they became more popular, their popularity was named "[[Beatlemania]]".


By 1964, the Beatles were worldwide stars and led the "[[British Invasion]]" of the United States. They brought out some of the best-selling albums of the 1960s, with twelve [[studio albums]]. They [[break-up of the Beatles|broke-up]] in 1970. John Lennon was later [[Murder of John Lennon|murdered]] in [[New York City]] in 1980 and George Harrison died of [[lung cancer]] in 2001. McCartney and Starr still make music.
By 1964, the Beatles were worldwide stars and led the "[[British Invasion]]" of the USA. They made some of the best-selling albums of the 1960s, with twelve [[Album|studio albums]]. They broke up in 1970. John Lennon was later [[Murder of John Lennon|murdered]] in [[New York City]] in 1980 and George Harrison died of [[lung cancer]] in 2001. McCartney and Starr still make music. In 2023, they released their final single "[[Now and Then (Beatles song)|Now and Then]]".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Venta |first=Lance |date=27 October 2023 |title=740 iHeartMedia Stations To Simultaneously Debut "Last Beatles Song" |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/260345/740-iheartmedia-stations-to-simultaneously-debut-last-beatles-song/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029003236/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/260345/740-iheartmedia-stations-to-simultaneously-debut-last-beatles-song/ |archive-date=29 October 2023 |access-date=29 October 2023 |website=RadioInsight}}</ref>


==History of the Beatles==
==History of the Beatles==
Starting in 1956, John Lennon and several of his friends played in a British band called the Quarrymen. Over the next few years, the members of the band changed, and by 1960, the band was called the Beatles. They did not have their first hit until 1962. In February 1963 their song, "Please Please Me", reached the number 1 position on the British charts. This was the first of a record 15 British number 1 singles. They first came to the [[United States]] in 1964. They were met at the [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]] in New York City by thousands of screaming American teenagers. The Beatles were so popular that they were attacked by screaming fans everywhere they went around the world. The effect they had on their fans was known as 'Beatlemania'. The Beatles made their first live American television appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on 9 February 1964. About 74 million viewers — about half of the American population — watched the group perform on the show. Beatles songs soon filled the top 5 places on the American top 40 chart - a record that has never been matched.
Starting in 1956, John Lennon and several of his friends played in a British band called [[the Quarrymen]]. Over the next few years, the members of the band changed, and by 1960, the band was called the Beatles. They did not have their first hit until 1962. In February 1963 their song, "[[Please Please Me (song)|Please Please Me]]", reached the number 1 position on the British charts. This was the first of a record 19 British number 1 singles. They first came to the [[United States]] in 1964. They were met at the [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]] in New York City by thousands of screaming American teenagers. The Beatles were so popular that they were attacked by screaming fans everywhere they went around the world. The effect they had on their fans was known as 'Beatlemania'. The Beatles made their first live American television appearance on [[The Ed Sullivan Show]] on 9 February 1964. About 74 million viewers—about half of the American population—watched the group perform on the show. Beatles songs soon filled the top 5 places on the American top 40 chart - a record that has never been matched.


After the Beatles became so popular in the United States, other British bands, such as [[The Rolling Stones]], [[The Animals]], [[The Kinks]] and [[Gerry and the Pacemakers]] had songs become hits there as well. So many British bands became popular after the Beatles' success that this time became known in America as the "[[British Invasion]]".
After the Beatles became so popular in the US, other British bands, such as [[The Rolling Stones]], [[The Animals]], [[The Kinks]] and [[Gerry and the Pacemakers]] had songs become hits there as well. So many British bands became popular after the Beatles' success that this time became known in America as the "[[British Invasion]]".


Towards the mid 1960s, The Beatles became bolder with their style of music. This largely started in 1965, with the release of the album "[[Rubber Soul]]", and hit a peak in 1967 with the release of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", which was named as the greatest album of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine.<ref name='"list"'>{{cite web|title=500 Greatest Albums of All Time|date=31 May 2009|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531|publisher=Rolling Stone|accessdate=8 June 2013}}</ref> They were also named the most influential artists of all time by [[Rolling Stone]] magazine, because their music, clothing style, and attitudes shaped much of what was popular among young people in the 1960s.
Toward the mid-1960s, The Beatles became bolder with their style of music. This largely started in 1965, with the release of the album ''[[Rubber Soul]]'', and hit a peak in 1967 with the release of ''[[Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band]]'', which was named as the greatest album of all time by [[Rolling Stone]] Magazine.<ref name='"list"'>{{cite web|title=500 Greatest Albums of All Time|date=31 May 2009|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531|publisher=Rolling Stone|accessdate=8 June 2013|archive-date=16 September 2013|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6JfM5Dlce?url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531|url-status=live}}</ref> They were also named the most influential artists of all time by Rolling Stone magazine, because their music, clothing style, and attitudes shaped much of what was popular among young people in the 1960s. They were all awarded an [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]] in 1965 by [[Harold Wilson]]. He was accused of having debased and cheapened the [[honours system]]. <ref>{{Cite book|title=Harold Wilson the winner|url=https://archive.org/details/haroldwilsonwinn0000nick|last=Thomas-Symonds|first=Nick|publisher=Weidenfield & Nicolson|year=2023|isbn=9781474611961|location=London|pages=[https://archive.org/details/haroldwilsonwinn0000nick/page/n210 201]}}</ref>


The Beatles became so popular that no regular concert venue was big enough for their concerts. This led to them playing the first ever stadium rock concert at Shea Stadium in America, to around 50,000 people. The Beatles stopped touring and playing live music in 1966 because they were sick of audiences screaming so loudly that their music could not be heard. They were also tired of the pressures of touring. Among other things, they were so popular that thousands of people would gather outside the hotels they stayed in day and night meaning that they could never leave their rooms unless they were playing a concert.
The Beatles became so popular that no regular concert venue was big enough for their concerts. This led to them playing the first ever stadium rock concert at Shea Stadium in America, to around 50,000 people. The Beatles stopped touring and playing live music in 1966 because they were sick of audiences screaming so loudly that their music could not be heard. They were also tired of the pressures of touring. Among other things, they were so popular that thousands of people would gather outside the hotels they stayed in day and night meaning that they could never leave their rooms unless they were playing a concert.
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==After breaking up==
==After breaking up==


The band was still very popular all over the world after they broke up. They are the best-selling music acts of all time, with sales between 600 million to 1 billion records. Their [[music]] is still important and still influences many musicians. Musicians today perform [[cover version]]s of Beatles songs, and people everywhere still listen to their music. Their song 'Yesterday' has been recorded by more artists than any other song.<ref name="cnn list">{{cite news|title=Rolling Stone's top 10 Beatles songs of all time|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Music/08/25/beatles.songs.roll/index.html?_s=PM:SHOWBIZ|publisher=CNN Entertainment|accessdate=8 June 2013|date=26 August 2010}}</ref> It is also the song that has been played the most on radio ever.
The band was still very popular all over the world after they broke up. They are the best-selling music acts of all time, with sales between 600 million to 1 billion records. Their [[music]] is still important and still influences many musicians. Musicians today perform [[cover version]]s of Beatles songs, and people everywhere still listen to their music. Their song 'Yesterday' has been recorded by more artists than any other song.<ref name="cnn list">{{cite news|title=Rolling Stone's top 10 Beatles songs of all time|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Music/08/25/beatles.songs.roll/index.html?_s=PM:SHOWBIZ|publisher=CNN Entertainment|accessdate=8 June 2013|date=26 August 2010|archive-date=6 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306103307/http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Music/08/25/beatles.songs.roll/index.html?_s=PM:SHOWBIZ|url-status=live}}</ref> It is also the song that has been played the most on radio ever.


The Beatles made thirteen albums and twenty-six singles together. They also started their own [[record label]], [[Apple Records]]. They made two [[movie]]s, ''[[A Hard Day's Night]]'' and ''[[Help!]]'', where they appeared as [[actor]]s. Later they made ''Magical Mystery Tour'', a [[television]] special. ''[[Yellow Submarine]]'' was a [[cartoon]] movie based on their music. ''[[Let It Be]]'' showed them working on a new album.
The Beatles made thirteen albums and twenty-six [[Single (music)|singles]] together. They also started their own [[record label]], [[Apple Records]]. They made two [[movie]]s, ''[[A Hard Day's Night]]'' and ''[[Help!]]'', where they appeared as [[actor]]s. Later they made ''Magical Mystery Tour'', a [[television]] special. ''[[Yellow Submarine]]'' was a [[cartoon]] movie based on their music. ''[[Let It Be]]'' showed them working on a new album.


After the Beatles broke up in 1969, all four members started their own solo [[career]]s.
After the Beatles broke up in 1969, all four members started their own solo [[career]]s.
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The other three Beatles got together in the 1990s to make two new records. They used [[demo (music)|demo]] recordings of two John Lennon songs and added their own new parts. Producer [[Jeff Lynne]] helped them so all four members could appear on the songs. The songs were "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love". Both were top 5 hits in the UK in 1995 and 1996.
The other three Beatles got together in the 1990s to make two new records. They used [[demo (music)|demo]] recordings of two John Lennon songs and added their own new parts. Producer [[Jeff Lynne]] helped them so all four members could appear on the songs. The songs were "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love". Both were top 5 hits in the UK in 1995 and 1996.


Paul McCartney started the band "Wings" with his wife [[Linda McCartney|Linda]]. In 1977 his song, "Mull of Kintyre", became the biggest selling single in British history. It sold even more copies than the Beatles' singles. Paul McCartney was [[knight]]ed in 1997.
Paul McCartney started the band [[Paul McCartney and Wings|Wings]] with his wife [[Linda McCartney|Linda]]. In 1977 his song, "Mull of Kintyre", became the biggest selling single in British history. It sold even more copies than the Beatles' singles. Paul McCartney was [[knight]]ed in 1997.


George Harrison and Ringo Starr had early success as solo artists but were less successful later on. Harrison formed the group ''[[the Traveling Wilburys]]'' in the 80s with other rock legends [[Bob Dylan]], [[Roy Orbison]], [[Tom Petty]], and Jeff Lynne. Harrison died of [[lung cancer]] on November 29, 2001. Starr still tours the world with his "All Starr Band" and was [[knighted]] in 2018.
George Harrison and Ringo Starr had early success as solo artists but were less successful later on. Harrison formed the group the [[Traveling Wilburys]] in the 80s with other rock legends [[Bob Dylan]], [[Roy Orbison]], [[Tom Petty]], and Jeff Lynne. Harrison died of [[lung cancer]] on November 29, 2001. Starr still tours the world with his "All Starr Band" and was [[knighted]] in 2018.


== Albums ==
==Albums==
[[File:The White Album.svg|thumb|right|The cover of ''[[The Beatles (album)|The Beatles]]'' (better known as the "White Album") ]]The Beatles made 13 very successful albums during their active years from 1960-1970. Listed below are the albums made during their career.
[[File:The White Album.svg|thumb|right|The cover of ''[[The Beatles (album)|The Beatles]]'' (better known as the "White Album") ]]The Beatles made 13 very successful albums during their active years from 1960 to 1970. Listed below are the albums made during their career.
* ''[[Please Please Me]]'' (1963)
* ''[[Please Please Me]]'' (1963)
* ''[[With the Beatles]]'' (1963)
* ''[[With the Beatles]]'' (1963)
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* ''[[Yellow Submarine]]'' (1968)
* ''[[Yellow Submarine]]'' (1968)
* ''[[The Beatles (album)|The Beatles]]'' (better known as the "White Album") (1968)
* ''[[The Beatles (album)|The Beatles]]'' (better known as the "White Album") (1968)
⚫
* ''[[Let It Be]]'' (1969)
* ''[[Abbey Road]]'' (1969)
* ''[[Abbey Road]]'' (1969)
⚫
* ''[[Let it Be]]'' (1970)


== Compilations ==
;Compilations
* ''The Beatles 1962-1966'' and ''The Beatles 1967-1970'' (1973)
* ''The Beatles 1962-1966'' (1973)
* ''The Beatles 1967-1970'' (1973)
* ''Rock and Roll Music'' (1976)
* ''Rock and Roll Music'' (1976)
* ''Love Songs'' (1978)
* ''Love Songs'' (1978)
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* ''Reel Music'' (1982)
* ''Reel Music'' (1982)
* ''20 Greatest Hits'' (1983)
* ''20 Greatest Hits'' (1983)
* ''Past Masters'' (1987, two volumes)
* ''Past Masters'' (1988, two volumes)
* ''The Beatles Anthology'' (1995, three volumes)
* ''Anthology'' (1995, three volumes)
* ''The Beatles: 1'' (2000)
* ''1'' (2000)
* ''Love'' (2006)
* ''Love'' (2006)


== Movies ==
== Movies ==
* ''[[A Hard Day's Night]]'' (1964), directed by [[Richard Lester]], co-starred [[Wilfrid Brambell]], [[Norman Rossington]], [[John Junkin]], [[Lionel Blair]], [[Victor Spinetti]], and [[Derek Nimmo]]
* ''[[A Hard Day's Night]]'' (1964), directed by [[Richard Lester]], co-starred [[Wilfrid Brambell]], [[Norman Rossington]], [[John Junkin]], [[Lionel Blair]], [[Victor Spinetti]], and [[Derek Nimmo]]
* ''[[Help!]]'' (1965), directed by Lester, co-starred [[Leo McKern]], [[Eleanor Bron]], Victor Spinetti and [[Roy Kinnear]]
* ''[[Help!]]'' (1965), directed by Lester, co-starred [[Leo McKern]], [[Eleanor Bron]], Victor Spinetti and [[Roy Kinnear]]
* ''[[Magical Mystery Tour]]'' (1967), hour-long TV special, with [[Ivor Cutler]] and [[Jessie Robins]]
* ''[[Magical Mystery Tour]]'' (1967), hour-long TV special, with [[Ivor Cutler]] and [[Jessie Robins]]
* ''[[Yellow Submarine]]'', (1968) [[Animation|cartoon]]
* ''[[Yellow Submarine]]'', (1968) [[Animation|cartoon]]
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== Children of the Beatles ==
== Children of the Beatles ==
* Paul McCartney's daughter Stella McCartney has had a successful career as a clothing designer.<ref>[http://www.vogue.co.uk/biographies/080422-stella-mccartney-biography.aspx Vogue UK; Stella McCartney Biography]</ref>
* Paul McCartney's daughter Stella McCartney has had a successful career as a clothing designer.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.vogue.co.uk/biographies/080422-stella-mccartney-biography.aspx |title=Vogue UK; Stella McCartney Biography |access-date=2009-02-22 |archive-date=2010-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304110947/http://www.vogue.co.uk/biographies/080422-stella-mccartney-biography.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
* John Lennon's sons [[Sean Lennon]] and Julian Lennon have had successful musical careers. Sean has been involved in a number of bands: Cibo Matto, and Dopo Yume.<ref>[http://www.fashionfollower.com/dopoyume.asp ''Hopeful Romantics:Dopo Yume Wear their Hearts on Their Sleeves''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070804170831/http://www.fashionfollower.com/dopoyume.asp |date=2007-08-04 }} ''www.fashionfollower.com''</ref>
* John Lennon's sons [[Sean Lennon]] and [[Julian Lennon]] have had successful musical careers. Sean has been involved in a number of bands: Cibo Matto, and Dopo Yume.<ref>[http://www.fashionfollower.com/dopoyume.asp ''Hopeful Romantics:Dopo Yume Wear their Hearts on Their Sleeves''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070804170831/http://www.fashionfollower.com/dopoyume.asp |date=2007-08-04 }} ''www.fashionfollower.com''</ref>


== References ==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


== Other websites ==
==Other websites==
* [http://www.beatles.com/ The Beatles homepage]
* [http://www.beatles.com/ The Beatles homepage]
* [http://www.beatles-stuff.com/ Beatles Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108051541/http://www.beatles-stuff.com/ |date=2012-11-08 }}
* [http://www.beatles-stuff.com/ Beatles Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108051541/http://www.beatles-stuff.com/ |date=2012-11-08 }}
* [http://enciclopediarock.com/index.php/b/beatles/ Beatles] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114034414/http://enciclopediarock.com/index.php/b/beatles/ |date=2018-01-14 }}
* {{Pop Chronicles|27}}
* {{Pop Chronicles|27}}


{{The Beatles}}
{{The Beatles}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Beatles, The}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Beatles, The}}
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1970]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1970]]
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[[Category:1960 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1960 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1970s British music groups]]
[[Category:1970s British music groups]]
[[Category:British boy bands]]
[[Category:British pop rock bands]]
[[Category:British pop rock bands]]
[[Category:English pop music groups]]
[[Category:English pop music groups]]
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[[Category:Musical quartets]]
[[Category:Musical quartets]]
[[Category:The Beatles| ]]
[[Category:The Beatles| ]]
[[Category:1970 disestablishments in Europe]]

Latest revision as of 16:16, 11 January 2025

The Beatles
A square quartered into four head shots of young men with moptop haircuts. All four wear white shirts and dark coats.
The Beatles in 1964. Clockwise from top left: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison
Background information
OriginLiverpool, England
Genres
Years active1960–1970
Labels
Past member(s) See members section for others
Websitethebeatles.com
A simple video summary about The Beatles

The Beatles were an English pop/rock band, started in Liverpool, England in 1960. The members were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Most people say they are the most successful and influential band in the history of popular music.[1] The group were a main part of the creation of 1960s counterculture. They began as a skiffle band, and were influenced by 1950s American rock and roll. In their later years, the band was experimental with genres such as different types of rock, classical, and Indian music.

Their main songwriters were Lennon and McCartney. Before The Beatles became popular, they played in clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg over three years between 1960 and 1963, with Stuart Sutcliffe playing bass. They went through many drummers, including Pete Best, before finally asking Ringo Starr to join in 1962. Sutcliffe also quit, meaning Paul McCartney started playing the bass instead. Brian Epstein was their manager and George Martin produced most of their music. Their first single was "Love Me Do", in late 1962. It was a hit and they became popular in the United Kingdom. As they became more popular, their popularity was named "Beatlemania".

By 1964, the Beatles were worldwide stars and led the "British Invasion" of the USA. They made some of the best-selling albums of the 1960s, with twelve studio albums. They broke up in 1970. John Lennon was later murdered in New York City in 1980 and George Harrison died of lung cancer in 2001. McCartney and Starr still make music. In 2023, they released their final single "Now and Then".[2]

History of the Beatles

[change | change source]

Starting in 1956, John Lennon and several of his friends played in a British band called the Quarrymen. Over the next few years, the members of the band changed, and by 1960, the band was called the Beatles. They did not have their first hit until 1962. In February 1963 their song, "Please Please Me", reached the number 1 position on the British charts. This was the first of a record 19 British number 1 singles. They first came to the United States in 1964. They were met at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City by thousands of screaming American teenagers. The Beatles were so popular that they were attacked by screaming fans everywhere they went around the world. The effect they had on their fans was known as 'Beatlemania'. The Beatles made their first live American television appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on 9 February 1964. About 74 million viewers—about half of the American population—watched the group perform on the show. Beatles songs soon filled the top 5 places on the American top 40 chart - a record that has never been matched.

After the Beatles became so popular in the US, other British bands, such as The Rolling Stones, The Animals, The Kinks and Gerry and the Pacemakers had songs become hits there as well. So many British bands became popular after the Beatles' success that this time became known in America as the "British Invasion".

Toward the mid-1960s, The Beatles became bolder with their style of music. This largely started in 1965, with the release of the album Rubber Soul, and hit a peak in 1967 with the release of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, which was named as the greatest album of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine.[3] They were also named the most influential artists of all time by Rolling Stone magazine, because their music, clothing style, and attitudes shaped much of what was popular among young people in the 1960s. They were all awarded an OBE in 1965 by Harold Wilson. He was accused of having debased and cheapened the honours system. [4]

The Beatles became so popular that no regular concert venue was big enough for their concerts. This led to them playing the first ever stadium rock concert at Shea Stadium in America, to around 50,000 people. The Beatles stopped touring and playing live music in 1966 because they were sick of audiences screaming so loudly that their music could not be heard. They were also tired of the pressures of touring. Among other things, they were so popular that thousands of people would gather outside the hotels they stayed in day and night meaning that they could never leave their rooms unless they were playing a concert.

The Beatles broke up in 1970 because of the pressures of fame and each member becoming more independent both in their personal lives and musically. In 1973 the two-disc sets "1962-1966" (the "Red Album") and "1967-1970" "(the "Blue Album") were released. These were both re-released on CD in 1993.

After breaking up

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The band was still very popular all over the world after they broke up. They are the best-selling music acts of all time, with sales between 600 million to 1 billion records. Their music is still important and still influences many musicians. Musicians today perform cover versions of Beatles songs, and people everywhere still listen to their music. Their song 'Yesterday' has been recorded by more artists than any other song.[5] It is also the song that has been played the most on radio ever.

The Beatles made thirteen albums and twenty-six singles together. They also started their own record label, Apple Records. They made two movies, A Hard Day's Night and Help!, where they appeared as actors. Later they made Magical Mystery Tour, a television special. Yellow Submarine was a cartoon movie based on their music. Let It Be showed them working on a new album.

After the Beatles broke up in 1969, all four members started their own solo careers.

John Lennon became a famous peace activist in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He wrote successful songs including "Give Peace a Chance", "Imagine", and "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)". John Lennon was murdered on December 8, 1980 outside his home in New York. Part of Central Park in New York and an airport in Liverpool are named in his honor.

The other three Beatles got together in the 1990s to make two new records. They used demo recordings of two John Lennon songs and added their own new parts. Producer Jeff Lynne helped them so all four members could appear on the songs. The songs were "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love". Both were top 5 hits in the UK in 1995 and 1996.

Paul McCartney started the band Wings with his wife Linda. In 1977 his song, "Mull of Kintyre", became the biggest selling single in British history. It sold even more copies than the Beatles' singles. Paul McCartney was knighted in 1997.

George Harrison and Ringo Starr had early success as solo artists but were less successful later on. Harrison formed the group the Traveling Wilburys in the 80s with other rock legends Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, and Jeff Lynne. Harrison died of lung cancer on November 29, 2001. Starr still tours the world with his "All Starr Band" and was knighted in 2018.

Albums

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The cover of The Beatles (better known as the "White Album")

The Beatles made 13 very successful albums during their active years from 1960 to 1970. Listed below are the albums made during their career.

Compilations
  • The Beatles 1962-1966 (1973)
  • The Beatles 1967-1970 (1973)
  • Rock and Roll Music (1976)
  • Love Songs (1978)
  • Rarities (1980)
  • Reel Music (1982)
  • 20 Greatest Hits (1983)
  • Past Masters (1988, two volumes)
  • Anthology (1995, three volumes)
  • 1 (2000)
  • Love (2006)

Movies

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Children of the Beatles

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  • Paul McCartney's daughter Stella McCartney has had a successful career as a clothing designer.[6]
  • John Lennon's sons Sean Lennon and Julian Lennon have had successful musical careers. Sean has been involved in a number of bands: Cibo Matto, and Dopo Yume.[7]

References

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  1. ↑ Hasted 2017, p. 425.
  2. ↑ Venta, Lance (27 October 2023). "740 iHeartMedia Stations To Simultaneously Debut "Last Beatles Song"". RadioInsight. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  3. ↑ "500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. 31 May 2009. Archived from the original on 16 September 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  4. ↑ Thomas-Symonds, Nick (2023). Harold Wilson the winner. London: Weidenfield & Nicolson. pp. 201. ISBN 9781474611961.
  5. ↑ "Rolling Stone's top 10 Beatles songs of all time". CNN Entertainment. 26 August 2010. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  6. ↑ "Vogue UK; Stella McCartney Biography". Archived from the original on 2010-03-04. Retrieved 2009-02-22.
  7. ↑ Hopeful Romantics:Dopo Yume Wear their Hearts on Their Sleeves Archived 2007-08-04 at the Wayback Machine www.fashionfollower.com

Other websites

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