The Beatles

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Background information

Origin: Liverpool, England British Invasion
Genre(s): Rock and Roll, Pop, Psychedelic Rock
Years active: 1960-1970, 1994-1996 (Studio-based partial reunion)
Label(s): Parlophone, Capitol, Apple, Odeon, Vee-Jay, United Artists, Atco, Swan, Tollie, Polydor
Website:Beatles.com

Members:

John Lennon (1960-1970)
Paul McCartney (1960-1970), (1994-1996)
George Harrison (1960-1970), (1994-1996)
Ringo Starr (1962-1970), (1994-1996)
Former members
Pete Best (1960-1962)
Stuart Sutcliffe (1960-1961)

The Beatles were an English rock band from Liverpool. They are one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful popular music bands in history.[1] Their innovative music helped to define the 1960s, in terms of their cultural impact on the decade.

The Beatles were the best-selling musical act of the 20th century. In the United Kingdom, they released more than 40 different singles, albums, and EPs that reached number one. This commercial success was repeated in many other countries: EMI estimated that by 1985, they had sold over one billion discs or tapes worldwide. The RIAA certified The Beatles as the top-selling band of all-time in America based on U.S. sales of singles and albums.[2]

The Beatles were a major part of the mid-1960s "British Invasion" of British popular bands into the United States. Although their initial musical style was rooted in the sounds of 1950s rock and roll, the group explored a great variety of genres ranging from Tin Pan Alley to psychedelic rock. Their clothes, hairstyles, and statements made them trend-setters, whilst their growing social awareness saw their influence extend into the social and cultural revolutions of the 1960s.

Contents

* 1 1957-1960: The Quarrymen and The Silver Beetles
* 2 1960-1970: The Beatles
o 2.1 Record contract
o 2.2 America
o 2.3 Beatlemania
o 2.4 Backlash and controversy
o 2.5 The studio years
o 2.6 Breakup
o 2.7 After The Beatles
* 3 Musical evolution
* 4 Influence on popular culture
* 5 Lifestyle
o 5.1 Recreational drug use
o 5.2 Meditation
* 6 Discography
o 6.1 Official CD catalogue
o 6.2 Song catalogue
o 6.3 Hit singles
o 6.4 Audio samples
* 7 On film
* 8 Other projects
o 8.1 Anthology
o 8.2 Love
* 9 Instrumentation
o 9.1 Microphones
* 10 Notes
* 11 References
* 12 Further reading
* 13 See also
* 14 External links

1957-1960: The Quarrymen and The Silver Beetles

In March 1957, John Lennon formed a skiffle group called The Quarrymen whilst attending Quarry Bank Grammar School,[3] in Liverpool.[4] Lennon and The Quarrymen met guitarist Paul McCartney at the Woolton (St. Peter's church hall) fête on 6 July 1957.[5] On 6 February 1958, the young guitarist George Harrison was invited to watch the group (who played under a variety of names) at Wilson Hall, Garston, Liverpool.[6] Members continually joined and left the lineup during that period.

McCartney had become acquainted with Harrison (a year younger) on the morning school bus-ride to the Liverpool Institute, as they both lived in Speke. At McCartney's insistence, Harrison joined the Quarrymen as lead guitarist[7] (after Lennon's initial reluctance, because of Harrison's young age) after a rehearsal in March 1958.[8] He was followed by Lennon's art school friend, Stuart Sutcliffe, on bass.[9] A few primitive recordings of Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison from that era have survived.

The Quarrymen went through a progression of names - Johnny and The Moondogs, Long John and The Beatles, The Silver Beetles (derived from Larry Parnes' suggestion of "Long John and the Silver Beetles") - and eventually decided on 17 August 1960 on "The Beatles". There are many theories as to the origin of the name and its unusual spelling; it is usually credited to Lennon, who said that the name was a combination word-play on the insects "beetles" (as a nod/compliment to Buddy Holly's band, The Crickets) and the word "beat". He also later said that it was a joke, meaning a pun on "Beat-less". Cynthia Lennon suggests that Lennon came up with the name Beatles at a "brainstorming session over a beer-soaked table in the Renshaw Hall bar...".[10] In addition to being a fan of the Crickets, Lennon is paraphrased as having said: "If you turn it