the beatles 2

There have been more books published about one 20th
century icon than any other, this band that is said to have broken
down barriers in all ways, is the Beatles. Their music was said to
have driven that younger generation mad. Perhaps it was because
they were one of the first bands ever play real rock and roll music;
or maybe it was those cute little peacoats they wore. Or maybe it
was just because they were foreigners in the world of music, yet
seemed to fit right in with the young people. Whatever reason was,
the Beatles were a band that shaped a generation and ones soon
to come. The Beatles were more than just a rock and roll band
, they were a group of young men who wanted to go a new
direction in music. John Lennon, one of lead vocalists, basically
started with the intention of moving away from the "Skiffle Boom
Era" which was dominating the time. In his doing so, he began to
lay the foundation for what would later be the most famous rock
band ever. The original band members were as follows : John
Lennon, vocals and guitar ; Paul McCartney, vocals ; George
Harrison, guitar ; Pete Best, drums ; Stuart Sutcliffe, bass guitar.
In March of 1961, the Beatles began to play at the
club that would later be nicknamed "The Home
of the Beatles". The Cavern Club, which's premises comprised a
small group of cellars below a seven story warehouse which had
originally been used as an air raid shelter during the war. Later,
Alan Sytner, a jazz fan decided to open it up as a new jazzclub.
After a few years, he sold it to Ray McFall another jazz fan. The
club was originally strictly jazz and no rock. Luckily for the Beatles,
the times were changing and McFall quickly changed the policy the
Beatles soon became regulars. This would be the club that would
make them famous. News of the band's Liverpool popularity
soon became know throughout England and later a large part of
Europe. Shortly after their first tour of Hamburg, Stuart, who had

always been a better artist than musician left the band to pursue
goals in the visual arts field. Paul had dabbled in bass guitar and
took his place. This was a transition period for the members in the
band, they were going from being Liverpool locals to being English
stars. It was about this time that the rest of the band and their
manager Brian Epstien, began to notice Pete's growing ego, and
thought it would be best if he not be in the band. Many fans
were suprised and upset at the decision. When they heard Ringo
Starr one of the back up drummers, was joining they were calmed
perhaps in anticipation of hearing how the new member would fit in
with the rest of the band. The result was fabulous. The band was
pleased with thier new addition and they quickly adapted to each
others playing styles. Ring was the final member to join the band
and in October of 1962, just a few months after Ringo joined the
band, the Beatles had their first hit single, Love Me Do .
1963 and 1964 proved to be the most important years for
the Beatles. During 1963 they created a sensation in Britain. The
boys appeared on Sunday Night at the London Palladium and a
writer for the Daily Mirror coined the phrase Beatlemania, it later
became the word people used to describe the outpour of Beatle
fans. With in months the Beatles had gone from being opening
acts at concerts to starring on the Royal Variety Show. The
reasons for their success were uncanny. During the "baby boom",
more children were born in England than any other time in history.
During the time of the Beatles popularity, most of these babies
were teenagers and they wanted more freedom than their parents
had been given. 1964 was the absolute most important year of
their careers. 1964 was the year they conquered the biggest record
market of the world, America. It took a combination of talent and
luck. America was suffering with the loss of John F. Kennedy and

the Beatles appeared on the scene to bring them fun and
excitement to end their mourning. They also brought rock and roll
back to its homeland.Being in right place at the right time seemed
to favor the Beatles. On a flight back home from Sweden, they ran
into Ed Sullivan who invited them to come on his show. Although
the Beatles were not an over night success, they shot for their
goals and eventually reached them and others. The band stayed
together for many years and made a generation of young kids into
a generation envied by others for having the Beatles to wait for
and want. Their music still influences many artists and will continue
to do so as they were and still are the band that will "rock on
forever".