The Beatles

Liverpool Not responsible for the origin of beat music, but the groups from Liverpool were the first British acts to achieve popularity in the United States The music of Liverpool groups is often referred to as the “Mersy Sound” –Named after the Mersey River which flows through the city

Beatles Biography Started in 1956 as a skiffle group by John Lennon and his friends from the local Quarry Bank High School –They were called the Quarrymen McCartney was introduced to Lennon at a town party Lennon was at the Liverpool Art College when he met Stu Sutcliffe who joined the band as a bassist McCartney had gotten George Harrison in the band

Influences Rock ‘n’ Roll –Elvis, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Buddy Holly, Carl Perkins, The Everly Brothers, The Coasters Rhythm and Blues –Ray Charles British Music Hall –Same as American Tin Pan Alley, Broadway Shows, and Vaudeville

Names The other Quarrymen members quit leaving 3 guitars and a bass They traveled around playing various gigs as –Johnny and the Moondogs –The Beetles –The Silver Beetles –The Beatles

Personnel changes  Hired Pete Best in 1959 because his mother ran a teen club and they could play there regularly and he had his own drum set  Sutcliffe quit the band and McCartney took over as the bass player  Pete Best was fired as the drummer because the other Beatles were jealous of his looks and the many female fans that he attracted  Ringo Starr replaced Pete Best

First Recordings Recorded as the back up band for another English singer, Tony Sheridan –My Bonnie –They called themselves The Beat Brothers Because of this recording, record store owner Brian Epstein sought them out and became their manager

Brian Epstein as Manager Refashioned the image of the Beatles While in Hamburg, in a very rough section of the city, they had to look tough in order to survive They dressed in leather coats, black jeans, and t-shirts with a pompadour hair-do This look was called “Teddy Boy” in England –Also called “greaser in the US Epstein had them dress in respectable matching suits with ties and get a hair cut –They curbed their stage antics as well

First Recording Contract Brian Epstein traveled all over England with a demo tape of the Beatles in an attempt to get a recording contract for his new act George Martin at Parlophone Records agreed to sign the act –Martin was a classically trained musician and a producer of novelty comedy records

Keys to success The performing skills and sound of each individual Beatle and their contribution to the whole The songwriting skills of Lennon and McCartney The management skills of Brian Epstein The record production skills of George Martin