The Beatles, the most influential Rock Group in the World
Writingabout The Beatles is not an easy task unless you’re writing a book. Theirs is a story that is unbelievably inspiring and their music truly revolutionized the world and in the short time they were together they managed to influence the music scene like no one else before. Four young high school boys from Liverpool got together to play their guitars and before they knew what was happening they were famous all over the world. Well, it didn’t happen quite like that and there was so much more to it. But, in a nutshell, that’s story of The Beatles, the most influential and most popular Rock group in the world.
The Start
It started long time ago in 1957 when John Lennon had learnt to play the guitar and started his own band known as “the Quarry Men”. The band never had permanent members because the players kept changing so much. When another youngster by the name of Paul McCartney showed interest in joining the band John invited him and thus was born the Lennon-McCartney duo. George Harrison who was two years junior to Lennon and McCartney could do magic with his guitar and was soon the third member of the team. He was not even 15 years old when he was officially initiated into the band. The trio played around night clubs in Liverpool and had a thing about names. The Quarry Men” was changed so many times until John hit upon The Beatles”. They kept on becoming different kinds of Beatles from “The Silver Beetles” The Silver Beats”, and so on until finally they settled for the easy to use and memorable name “The Beatles”.
The Rise
The boys undoubtedly had talent; but talent by itself is useless unless there was someone to give them that very necessary break. The Beatles marked their time gathering a fan base and growing in stature until a record store owner named Brian Epstein heard about them. His interest being aroused he went to see them play. They didn’t have remarkable looks, but boy, did they know how to perform. Brian didn’t hesitate to sign them on, but it did take them some time to impress a producer such as George Martin of Parlaphone Records. With Martin at the helm, he spruced them up with new suits and replaced their drummer with our very own “Ringo Starr” whose real name happens to be Richard Starkey, and The Beatles quartet was born. George Martin their new manager never did things in half. Having realized their potential he was determined that they should conquer the world with their music. So began a journey that would never end as far as their music went. The first song by The Beatles to hit the charts was “Please Please Me” released in March 1963 topping the charts for six straight months.
The Fame
Then came their next hit “I Want to Hold your Hand” which became a hit in the USA as well and The Beatles had by then changed their image which was like nothing seen before. Teens went crazy over their long mop-top hair, drainpipe trousers, collarless suits and their amazing capacity to make people laugh. People could not help liking them because they had such unrestrained joy and an ability to make people happy with their silly antics and infectious energy. Their first appearance in America was at the “Ed Sullivan” show followed by a hectic tour. The Beatles next venture was to make a movie and “A Hard Days’ Night” is said to be the best rock & roll movie ever made. They followed this up with other movies such as “Help” which however did not have the same success as their first movie. After dabbling with many albums, their best and most creative to date the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was produced. It was one big concert and an instant hit with the Beatles crazy fans.
The Breakup
Something as wonderful as this could not last long and pretty soon several issues cropped up such as John Lennon’s relationship with Yoko Ono which created tension among the quartet. The rest felt that Paul was being favored by producers making them feel unwanted. Although Paul tried his best to re-establish the group many issues stood in his way and their parting of ways came on 29 December 1970. The best, the most creative and talented group of musicians in the world had decided to end it all; they rose from nothing and went right to the top. The Beatles might have disbanded; but their magic lives on to thrill many future generations to come.
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