The Beatles

Total words: 1135

"Roll up, roll up for the Magical Mystery Tour. Step right this way," are the precise words for describing the band that is the Beatles. What can be said that has not already been said about them? From their "Yeah yeah yeah" days to their more insightful lyrics such as "The Inner Light", they are by far one of the most influential bands of all time. But how did they come to such fame? What led up to their popularity that still continues today? The Beatles' history is a long one but, more importantly, and interesting one.

All four of the Beatles grew up in a small English town called Liverpool. John Lennon was born on October 9, 1940. He lived with his aunt and uncle because his father deserted him and his mother. When he was a teenager his mother got killed in a car crash just when he was beginning to reconcile with her. Paul McCartney was born on June 18, 1942. At age eleven his mother died of breast cancer. This made his father, Jim McCartney, work and take care of a family. George Harrison was born on February 25, 1943. George came from a large family and the only one with a normal and undramatic background. He was the first to have the "long" hair in school, before any of the boys did. Richard Starkey (Ringo Starr) was born on July 8, 1940. When he was three, his parents divorced and went off to live with his mother. He was a very sickly child, being hospitalized for periods of up to twelve months. When he was a teenager he joined a band call Rory Storm and the Hurricanes.

Before they formed the Beatles, Paul, John, and George started a group called the Quarrymen. They later started a new band with base guitarist Stu Sutcliffe and drummer Pete Best. They named themselves the Silver Beatles but changed it to just the Beatles. After leaving the band to be with his wife, Stu Sutcliffe died of a brain hemorrhage in 1962. While under their new manager, Brian Epstein, they replaced Pete Best with Ringo Starr.

On the British Isles, "Beatlemania" caught on very quickly. Brian Epstein managed to strike a deal with Parlophone record company to go to America. When they arrived they were greeted by thousands of screaming fans. They appeared on many television shows such as "The Ed Sullivan S how." Many critics, however, were very cynical saying that the Beatles have become an "excuse for kids to run wild in the streets."

Their fist single("Please Please Me/PS I Love You") was released in 1962. While working on many albums such as With the Beatles, Beatles For Sale, and Revolver, they also starred in popular movies such as A Hard Day's Night and Help. They were also touring extensively during this period. The Beatles were growing tired of the busy schedule with each passing year. They played their last concert on August 29, 1966.

Rubber Soul was one of the Beatles albums that first took a turn for the style of music in the 60s. "Revolver" also had many different themes. George Harrison used a sitar (an Indian musical instrument) in both albums on songs such as "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" and "Love You Too." John Lennon's song, "Tomorrow Never Knows" featured him reading excerpts from the Tibetan Book of the Dead. It was obvious that the Beatles were changing the direction of their music to new areas currently unknown to music of that time.

One of the best albums of the Beatles was Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. With many different styles of music such as John and Paul's epic song "A Day in the Life" which featured numerous over-dubbings and even a forty-one piece orchestra. This album proved that rock ‘n' roll was no longer teenage dance music, it was a form of art.

In 1967, the Beatles' manager, Brian Epstein, died of a sleeping pill overdose. The Beatles were shaken about his death but still went on writing songs. Even though they stayed together, Epstein's death started to break the Beatles apart. Each one had their own ideas on how to run the band but Paul ultimately "led" them on. In the later half of 1967 they produced and starred in their first television movie Magical Mystery Tour. The movie was a huge failure among television critics and audiences. It was never aired on American television.

In 1968 the Beatles traveled to New Delhi with the Maharishi to study transidental meditation. Although Ringo left within two weeks, John, George, and Paul enjoyed it and were absorbed by the Maharishi's philosophy. When rumors surfaced that the Maharishi was using his power to seduce the female students, they confronted him and left the next day.

Also in 1968, Paul McCartney switched record companies and joined the newly formed Apple Corps. Paul also started the failed Apple Boutique. This was opened in hopes to allow other people to have artistic freedom without the trouble that the Beatles had. Apple Records was doing well with other names like James Taylor and Mary Hopkins. While doing this they recorded the White Album. It was a double LP featuring an array of songs. It was clear that it was started to show the musical difference between the Beatles.

While still together, the albums, Yellow Submarine, Abbey Road, and Let It Be were done individually by each member. In 1969, John, George, and Ringo went against Paul and hired a new manager, Allen Klein. After many arguments between Paul and John, George leaves the band but comes back after the others persuade him to. Rumors are circulating that they are breaking up, but another rumor is coming up too. Although the "Paul is dead" rumor surfaced many years before, it was reinforced by the Abbey Road cover which shows Paul McCartney walking barefoot across the street. In late 1969 Life magazine's cover shows that Paul is alive and well.

In 1970 the cracks of their breakup is really beginning to show. Although John has already quit the band, the decision is kept quiet for several months. With the release of their last album, Let It Be, caused Paul to quit the band. The producer, Phil Spector, remixed the album and caused Paul to hit the roof with the "massacre" of his song "Let It Be." In mid-1970, Paul announced to the world that he has quit the band and never expects to write with John Lennon ever again. He doesn't.

Although the Beatles broke up, each member still continued to write and perform music. Their music still continues to be sold, sung, listened to, and as popular as it was in the 60s. It is clear that the music of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr will never be forgotten.

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