The Beatles

The Beatles became the most popular group in rock music history. The group consisted of four Englishmen: George Harrison (1943-), John Lennon (1940-1980), Paul McCarthy (1942), and Gringo Starry (born Richard Star key, 1940). Stan- played drums and the others usually played electric guitar. All of them sang. Lennon and McCarthy wrote most of the Beatles' songs.

All the Beatles were born in Liverpool. Lennon and five other musicians formed a band in 1956. McCarthy joined the group later that year. Harrison joined Lennon and McCarthy in 1958 and the three, plus bass guitarist Situ Suchlike and drummer Pete Best, performed together under several names. They finally called themselves the Beatles in 1960. Suchlike left the group, and Starry replaced Best. Brian Pestering, who managed a large Liverpool record store, became manager of the Beatles in 1961. Under his direction, they gained nationwide fame in 1962 and international fame two years later.

During the early 1960's, the Beatles' style was influenced by American rock singers, especially Elvis Presley. Lennon's and McCarthy's first compositions were simple love songs, such as «Love Me Do» and «Please, Please Me». In 1964, the Beatles toured the United States and created a sensation everywhere they performed. They starred in two popular movies, «A Hard Day's Night» and «Help!». A cartoon, «Yellow Submarine», featured the music and characters of the Beatles.

During the middle and late 1960's, the Beatles helped to give rock music a new direction. Earlier rock music had been based on a strong beat, but the Beatles' music contained a new sense of melody. Their chord progressions were also more complex, and the lyrics of their songs were more imaginative and meaningful. Lennon and McCarthy composed several songs of social criticism, including «Nowhere Man» and «Eleanor Rig by». They also wrote such ballads as «Michelle» and «Yesterday». Other popular Beatles' songs included «Strawberry Fields Forever», «Hey, Jude», «Come Together», and «Something».

The Beatles began to drift apart in the late 1960's for a number of artistic, business, and personal reasons. The group broke up in 1970, but by that time their records had outsold those of any other popular music or rock music performers in history. After the breakup of the group, all the Beatles performed as soloists or led their own groups. In 1980, Lennon was shot to death outside his apartment building in New York City. A 23-year-old man named Mark David Chapman was convicted of the shooting.

Need a custom essay on The Beatles?

Order a custom essay now!