The Evolution The Beatles were a pop group that took the world by storm. Their music, clothing, and hairstyles changed the world of the artists everywhere. They affected the post-war baby boom generation of Britain, the United Sates and many other countries during the 1960’s. They made their first album in 1963, their last record in 1969, and broke up in 1970. The most popular group in rock history, with global sales exceeding 1.1 billion records. Throughout their relatively short time recording and performing together, the Beatles set a number of world records — most of which have yet to be broken.

From the Top… In 1957, John Lennon started his band, The Quarrymen, after being impressed by Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel”. Paul McCartney met Lennon, and joined his band, into which McCartney also recruited George Harrison, his 15 year old school chum. They had a revolving door for the place of their drummer, who was eventually filled by Pete Best. Pete didn’t last long and was replaced by Ringo Starr in 1963. In 1960, the Beatles of Liverpool, England were born.

Meet the Band Rhythm Guitarist John Lennon was known for his political activism, as well as his love for guitar-based rock and roll. Bassist Paul McCartney was primarily known for ballads such as ‘Yesterday', although he also composed rockers such as ‘Helter Skelter‘. Lead Guitarist George Harrison truly emerged as a composer in his own right on Abbey Road, the Beatles' last album to be produced. Drummer Ringo Starr did not compose many songs on his own. He did however customarily sing one song on each Beatles album.

Beatle-freaking-mania! On February 7, 1964, the Beatles' plane touched down at Kennedy International Airport. Two days later, they made television history. Seventy-three million people watched the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show, the record for largest viewing audience in America. On February 12, they performed at the Washington Coliseum. That year, they made their first movie, A Hard Day's Night. The Beatles did their first world tour. The fans also showed their love by screaming at concerts, when they landed at airports, and wherever else they went. Boys copied their hairstyles and their clothing. This craze was called "Beatlemania". At that time, they held the top five places on Billboard’s Top Pop Singles Chart, a feat which has never been repeated. www.youtube.com/watch?v=46_yYR6tGOI Beatle-freaking-mania!

The pop-music band became a worldwide phenomenon with worshipful fans, hysterical adulation, and denunciations by culture commentators and others such as Frank Sinatra. Some of this criticism arose from confusion over the sources of their music (a similar confusion was evinced in 1956 over Elvis Presley by commentators who were unaware of the tradition of blues, R&B and Gospel, out of which Presley emerged), and some of it was simply an incredulous reaction to the length of their hair. At any rate, it was regarded by the band members with both awe and resentment.

                        While they were originally famous for what some labelled light-weight pop music (and the extreme hysterical reaction they received from young women), their later works achieved a combination of popular and critical acclaim for the 20th century. Eventually, they became more than recording artists, branching out into film and — particularly in the case of John Lennon— political activism. They achieved an iconic status with far reaching effects.

Battle of the Bands In 1968, The Stones had a listening party         The Beatles always had a friendly rivalry with The Rolling Stones. In 1968, The Stones had a listening party to promote their upcoming album, Beggars Banquet.  As the party was winding down, Paul McCartney mentioned that he had an acetate of ‘Hey Jude’ and asked if he could play it. As it was playing, it has been said that Mick Jagger was overheard saying, “we’re fucked”.