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'''The Beatles''' were an [[England|English]] [[rock music|rock]] band from [[Liverpool]] whose members were [[John Lennon]], [[Paul McCartney]], [[George Harrison]], and [[Ringo Starr]]. They are the most commercially successful, and one of the most critically acclaimed bands in the [[history of music|history]]<ref>[http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thebeatles/biography Rolling Stone biography]Retrieved: 29 January 2007</ref> of popular music. Their innovative music and cultural impact helped define the [[1960s]].<ref>See above reference to Encarta</ref>  Their music is considered one of the defining influences in all of popular culture, and they are widely acclaimed as not only the greatest musical act of the [[20th century]], but one of the greatest entertainment groups in all of history.  
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'''The Beatles''' were an [[England|English]] rock band from [[Liverpool]], one of the most successful and influential musical groups in history. They were formed in 1960, reached international fame by 1964, and broke up in 1970. During their time together, they released 12 studio albums in the [[United Kingdom]], 11 of which went to #1 in the album charts. In the [[United States of America|United States]], the Beatles' popularity was the peak of the [[British Invasion]], when many British bands found great success with their rock and roll music.


The Beatles are the best-selling [[Band (music)|musical act]] of all time in the United States<ref name="riaa">{{cite web |url=http://www.riaa.com/news%5Cnewsletter%5Cpress1999%5C111099.asp |title=The American Recording Industry Announces its Artists of the Century |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) |date=1999-11-10 |accessdate=2007-03-18}}</ref> and probably the greatest selling musical act of all time. In the United Kingdom, they released more than 40 different singles, albums, and EPs that reached number one. This commercial success was repeated in many other countries: their record company, [[EMI]], estimated that by 1985 they had sold over one billion discs and tapes worldwide. The [[Recording Industry Association of America]] certified the Beatles as the highest selling band of all time based on [[United States|American]] sales of singles and albums.<ref>[http://www.riaa.com/gp/bestsellers/topartists.asp Best Sellers: Gold & Platinum Top Artists]Retrieved: 29 January 2007 </ref> In 2004, [[Rolling Stone Magazine]] ranked the Beatles #1 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.<ref>{{cite web| title = The Immortals: The First Fifty| work = Rolling Stone Issue 946| publisher = Rolling Stone| url =http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5939214/the_immortals_the_first_fifty}}</ref>
== Members ==
* [[John Lennon]] - vocals, guitar (1960–1970)
* [[Paul McCartney]] - vocals, bass (1960–1970)
* [[George Harrison]] - vocals, guitar (1960–1970)
* [[Ringo Starr]] - vocals, drums (1962–1970)
* [[Stuart Sutcliffe]] - bass (1960–1962)
* [[Pete Best]] - drums (1960–1962)


The Beatles led the mid-1960s musical '[[British Invasion]]' into the United States. Although their initial musical style was rooted in 1950s [[rock and roll]] and homegrown [[skiffle]], the group explored [[music genre|genres]] ranging from [[Tin Pan Alley]] to [[psychedelic rock]]. Their clothes, styles, and statements made them trend-setters, while their growing social awareness saw their influence extend into the social and cultural revolutions of the 1960s.
== History ==
In 1957, John Lennon formed a skiffle band called [[the Quarrymen]].<ref name="Inc.1964">{{cite book|author=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|title=Billboard|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ckUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA11|date=25 April 1964|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.}}page 11 - ISSN 00062510.</ref> Paul McCartney joined later that year, George Harrison in 1958, and Stuart Sutcliffe in 1960. They then changed their name to "The Beatles", and in August 1960 went to [[Hamburg]], [[Germany]], to play in clubs. For these shows, they invited Pete Best to join them.  


==1957–1960: Formation==
After [[Brian Epstein]] took over their management in 1961, he got them a recording contract with Parlophone Records, headed by [[George Martin]]. The band then recorded several songs to release as singles in 1962, but Martin was not satisfied with Pete Best's drumming skills, so he was replaced by Ringo Starr, another musician from Liverpool. After their second single "Please Please Me" reached #2 on the UK charts and led to the sudden explosion of their popularity, they recorded their first album, also called ''[[Please Please Me]]'', and released it in 1963; it became a #1 album.
<!-- Please do not remove or change this photo-->
[[image:Beatles John Lennon 1964.jpg|left|thumb|150px|[[John Lennon]], vocals and [[rhythm guitar]]]]
{{main|The Quarrymen}}
In March 1957, John Lennon formed a [[skiffle]] group called the [[The Quarrymen|Quarrymen]] whilst attending Quarry Bank Grammar School in [[Liverpool]].<ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:995j8qmtbtn4 AMG biography] Retrieved: 29 January 2007 </ref> Lennon and the Quarrymen met guitarist Paul McCartney at the [[Woolton]] Garden Fête held at St. Peter's Church on [[6 July]] [[1957]].<ref name="SpitzPage93"> Spitz 2005 p93</ref> On [[6 February]] [[1958]], young guitarist George Harrison was invited to watch the group (who played under a variety of names) at Wilson Hall, Garston, Liverpool.<ref>Ray O'Brien, ''There are Places I'll Remember: Volume 1'', 2001</ref> McCartney had become acquainted with Harrison on the morning school bus ride to the [[Liverpool Institute]], as they both lived in [[Speke]]. At McCartney's insistence, Harrison joined the Quarrymen as [[lead guitarist]]<ref name="MilesPage47"> Miles 1998. p47.</ref>  after a rehearsal in March 1958, overcoming Lennon's initial reluctance because of Harrison's young age.<ref name=" SpitzPage126-127"> Spitz 2005. pp126–127</ref> Members continually joined and left the lineup during that period, and in January 1960 Lennon's [[art school]] friend [[Stuart Sutcliffe]] joined on bass.<ref name="MilesPage50"> Miles 1998. p50.</ref>  Lennon and McCartney both played rhythm guitar and the group had a high turnover of drummers. When no drummer was available, McCartney played drums.


The Quarrymen went through a progression of names — "Johnny and the Moondogs", "Long John and the Beatles", "the Silver Beetles" (derived from [[Larry Parnes]]' suggestion of "Long John and the Silver Beetles") — and eventually decided on "the Beatles". There are many theories as to the origin of the name and its unusual spelling; it is usually credited to Lennon, who said that the name was a combination word-play on the insects "[[beetles]]" (as a reference to [[Buddy Holly]]'s band, [[the Crickets]]) and the word "beat". [[Cynthia Lennon]] suggests that Lennon came up with the name Beatles at a "brainstorming session over a beer-soaked table in the Renshaw Hall bar."<ref name=" CynthiaJohnp65"> Cynthia Lennon – “John” 2006. p65.</ref> Lennon — who was well known for giving multiple versions of the same story — joked in a 1961 ''[[Mersey Beat]]'' magazine article that "It came in a vision — a man appeared on a flaming pie and said unto them, 'From this day on you are Beatles with an A'".<ref>[[Hunter Davies|Davies, Hunter]]. ''The Beatles'' (1981 edition)</ref> Contrary to popular belief, the band is not named after the motorcycle gang in Marlon Brando's film "The Wild One."
In 1964, the Beatles went to the United States and appeared on the ''Ed Sullivan Show''. Their concerts all over the world were attended by thousands of screaming fans, but they stopped touring after 1966. In 1969, John Lennon announced he was leaving but this was kept secret until 10 April 1970, when McCartney announced the breakup. Each member went on to have a solo musical career.


In May 1960 the Beatles toured northeast [[Scotland]] as a back-up band with singer Johnny Gentle.<ref>Coleman, Ray (1984). ''Lennon: The Definitive Biography''. [[Pan Books]]. p212.</ref> They met Gentle an hour before their first gig, and McCartney referred to the tour as a great experience for the band.<ref name="SpitzPage188-193"> Spitz 2005. pp188–193</ref> For the tour the often drummerless group secured the services of Tommy Moore, who was considerably older than the others.<ref name="Lewisohn92">Lewisohn, Mark (1992). ''The Complete Beatles Chronicle''. Chancellor Press. ISBN 1-85152-975-6.</ref>
==References==
Soon after the tour, however, feeling the age gap was too great Moore left the band and went back to work in a bottling factory as a [[Forklift truck|fork-lift truck]] driver.<ref name="Coleman213">Coleman, Ray (1984). ''Lennon: The Definitive Biography''. [[Pan Books]]. 213.</ref> Norman Chapman was the band's next drummer, but was called up for [[National Service]] in a few weeks. His departure posed a significant problem as the group's unofficial manager, [[Allan Williams]], had arranged for them to perform in clubs on the [[Reeperbahn]] in [[Hamburg]], [[Germany]].<ref name="LewisohnChronicles">{{cite book|last=Lewisohn |first=Mark |authorlink=Mark Lewisohn|title=The Complete Beatles Chronicle| year=1996 |publisher=Chancellor Press|pages=368 |id=1851529756}}</ref>
{{reflist}}
 
==1960–1970: The Beatles==
===Hamburg===
<!-- Please do not remove or change this photo-->
[[image:Beatles James Paul McCartney 1964.jpg|right|thumb|150px|[[Paul McCartney]], vocals and [[bass guitar]]]]
On 15 August 1960, McCartney invited [[Pete Best]] to become the group's permanent drummer.  He had watched Best play with the Blackjacks<ref>[{{cite web|url=http://abbeyrd.best.vwh.net/namec.htm|title=From Blackjacks to Beatles: How the Fab Four Evolved|accessdate=2006-06-21}} From Blackjacks to Beatles]Retrieved: 29 January 2007 </ref> in the Casbah Club, owned by Pete's mother, Mona Best. This was a cellar club in [[West Derby]], Liverpool, where the Beatles had played and often visited.<ref>[http://maxwelledison.blogspot.com/2005_10_16_maxwelledison_archive.html Casbah Club]Retrieved: 29 January 2007 </ref> In the documentary ''[[The Compleat Beatles]]'', Williams said that Best "played not too cleverly, but passable."
 
The Beatles started playing in Hamburg at the Indra and [[Kaiserkeller]] bars. They were required to play six or seven hours a night, seven nights a week. Shortly after they began performing at a new venue, the "Top Ten Club",<ref name="HamburgBeatleClubs">[http://webs.wichita.edu/mschneegurt/hamburg/hamburg.html] Photos of Clubs in Hamburg]Retrieved: 29 January 2007 </ref> Harrison was deported for having lied to the German authorities about his age.<ref name="CynthiaLennonJohnPage93"> Cynthia Lennon “John” 2006. p93.</ref> Soon after, having started a small fire at their living quarters while vacating it for more luxurious rooms, McCartney and Best were arrested, charged with arson, and deported. Finally, Lennon and Sutcliffe returned to Liverpool in December.<ref name="CynthiaLennonJohnp79"> Cynthia Lennon “John” 2006. p79.</ref>
 
The reunited Beatles played their first engagement on [[17 December]] [[1960]] at the Casbah Club and returned to Hamburg in April 1961. While playing at the Top Ten they were recruited by singer [[Tony Sheridan]] to act as his [[Backup band|backing band]] on a series of recordings for the German [[Polydor Records]] label,<ref name="CynthiaLennonJohnp97"> Cynthia Lennon “John” 2006. p97.</ref> produced by famed bandleader [[Bert Kaempfert]].<ref name="LewisohnChronicles">null</ref> Kaempfert signed the group to its own Polydor contract at the first session on [[22 June]] [[1961]]. On [[31 October]] Polydor released the recording "[[My Bonnie]] (Mein Herz ist bei dir nur)", which appeared on the German charts under the name "Tony Sheridan and the Beat Brothers", a generic name used for whoever happened to be in Sheridan's backup band.<ref> Spitz 2005. p.250</ref> In addition to the legend that this record led to the group's eventual meeting with Brian Epstein, it also resulted in their first mention in the American press. Around the beginning of 1962, ''[[Cashbox]]'' mentioned "My Bonnie" as the debut of a "new rock and roll team, Tony Sheridan and the Beatles". A few copies were also pressed  under the Decca label for U.S. disc jockeys, as American Decca had a distribution deal with Polydor parent [[Deutsche Grammophon]].<ref>Palowski, Gareth L. ''How They Became The Beatles''.  Plume. ISBN 978-0452265066</ref> (This was ironic, considering that by this time the then-unaffiliated British Decca had turned down the group's attempt to gain a recording contract.)
 
Sutcliffe stayed in Hamburg with his girlfriend [[Astrid Kirchherr]] when it was time to go back to Liverpool, so McCartney took over [[bass guitar|bass]] duties.<ref name="MilesPage74"> Miles 1998. p74. It was Astrid Kirchherr who shot the famous black and white headshots, but contrary to popular belief, did not invent the distinctive haircut of the group..</ref> Their third stay in Hamburg was from [[13 April]] to [[31 May]] [[1962]], when they opened The [[Star-Club|Star Club]].<ref name="LewisohnChronicles">null</ref> Upon their arrival they were informed of Sutcliffe's death from a [[brain haemorrhage]].<ref name="CynthiaLennonJohnp109"> Cynthia Lennon “John” 2006. p109.</ref>
 
[[Brian Epstein]] — manager of the record department at NEMS, his family's furniture store — took over as the group's manager in January 1962 and led the Beatles' quest for a British [[recording contract]]. In a now-famous exchange, [[Decca Records]] A&R executive [[Dick Rowe]] turned Epstein down flat, informing him that "[[The Decca audition|Guitar groups are on the way out, Mr. Epstein.]]"<ref>The Beatles. ''The Beatles Anthology''. Chronicle Books, LLC, 2000.</ref> While Epstein was negotiating with Decca, he also approached EMI marketing executive Ron White.<ref>Coleman 88–89</ref> White (who was not himself a record producer) in turn contacted EMI producers [[Norrie Paramor]], Walter Ridley, and Norman Newell, all of whom declined to record the Beatles.<ref>Coleman 93</ref> White did not approach EMI's fourth staff producer — [[George Martin]] — who was on holiday at the time.<ref>Coleman 93–94</ref>
 
===Record contract===<!-- Please do not remove or change this photo-->
[[image:Beatles George Harrison 1964.jpg|left|thumb|150px|[[George Harrison]], [[lead guitar]] and vocals]]
After failing to impress Decca Records, Epstein went to the [[HMV]] store on [[Oxford Street]] in [[London]] to transfer the Decca tapes to discs and was referred by recording engineer Jim Foy to Sid Coleman, who ran EMI's publishing arm. When Coleman heard the demo tapes he suggested taking the tapes to George Martin, who, Coleman explained, "does comedy records" and headed the Parlophone label at EMI. Epstein eventually met with Martin, who expressed an interest in hearing the band in the studio. He invited the quartet to London's [[Abbey Road studios]] for an audition on [[6 June]].<ref>[[Hunter Davies|Davies, Hunter]]. ''The Beatles'' (1981 edition). pp. 178</ref> Martin had not been particularly impressed by the band's demo recordings,<ref name="Spitzp318"> Spitz 2005. p318</ref> but he instantly liked them as people when he met them. He concluded that they had raw musical talent, but said (in later interviews) that what made the difference for him that day was their wit and humour in the studio.<ref name="Spitzp318-319"> Spitz 2005. pp318-319</ref>
 
Martin did have a problem with [[Pete Best]], however,<ref name="Spitzp318"> Spitz, Bob (2005) p318</ref> whom he criticised for not being able to keep time. He privately suggested to Epstein that the band use another drummer in the studio. Best had some popularity and was considered good-looking by many fans, but the three founding members had become increasingly unhappy with his drumming and his personality.  There was speculation by some that Best's popularity<ref name="Spitzp322"> Spitz 2005. p322</ref> with fans was another source of friction.  In addition, Epstein had become exasperated with his refusal to adopt the distinctive hairstyle as part of their unified look. Best also had missed a number of engagements because of illness.  The three founding members enlisted Epstein to dismiss Best - which he did on [[16 August]] [[1962]].<ref name="Spitzp330"> Spitz 2005. p330</ref> They had previously asked [[Ringo Starr]] (real name: Richard Starkey), the drummer for one of the top [[Merseybeat]] groups, [[Rory Storm and the Hurricanes]], and a frequent fill-in for [[Pete Best]], to join the band.<ref name="Spitzp328"> Spitz 2005. p328</ref>  Starr had performed occasionally with the Beatles in Hamburg. The first recordings of Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, and Starr together were made as early as [[15 October]] [[1960]], in a series of demonstration records privately recorded in Hamburg while acting as the backing group for singer Lu Walters.<ref>[http://www.beatlesource.com/bs/ao-smrtime.html Lu Walters' recording session]Retrieved: 29 January 2007 </ref> Starr played on the Beatles' second EMI recording session on [[4 September]] [[1962]], but Martin hired session drummer Andy White for their next session on [[11 September]].<ref name="Spitzp353"> Spitz 2005. p353</ref>
 
Their recording contract paid them one [[penny]] for each single sold, which was split amongst the four Beatles — one [[British Farthing coin|farthing]] per group member.<ref name="History62">[http://www.beatles-discography.com/index.html?http://www.beatles-discography.com/1962.html "Beatles History: 1962"] at ''Beatles Discography''. Retrieved: 29 January 2007 </ref> This royalty rate was further reduced for singles sold outside the UK, on which they received half of one penny (again split between the whole band) per single. Martin said later that it was a "pretty awful" contract.<ref name="History62" /> Their publishing contract with [[Dick James]] Music (DJM) was also standard for the time: songwriters received the statutory minimum of 50% of the gross monies received, with the publisher retaining the other 50%.
 
The Beatles' first EMI session on [[6 June]] did not yield any releasable recordings but the September sessions produced a minor UK hit, "[[Love Me Do]]", which peaked on the charts at number 17.<ref> [http://oldies.about.com/od/britishinvasion/a/lovemedo.htm Love Me Do]Retrieved: 29 January 2007 </ref> ("Love Me Do" reached the top of the U.S. singles chart over 18 months later in May 1964.) On 26 November they recorded their second single and first number-one hit, "[[Please Please Me (song)|Please Please Me]]". Three months later they recorded their first album (also titled ''[[Please Please Me]]''). The band's first televised performance was on the ''People and Places'' programme transmitted live from [[Manchester]] by [[Granada Television]] on [[17 October]] [[1962]].<ref> Bill Harry ''The Ultimate Beatles Encyclopedia'' P.516 </ref> As the Beatles' fame spread, the frenzied adulation of the group, predominantly from teenage female fans, was dubbed '[[Beatlemania]]'. In November 1963 the Beatles appeared on the ''[[Royal Variety Performance]]'' and were photographed with [[Marlene Dietrich]], who also appeared on the show.
 
===America===
<!-- Please do not remove or change this photo-->
[[image:Beatles Ringo Starr 1964.jpg|right|thumb|150px|[[Ringo Starr]], [[drums]] and vocals]]
Although the band experienced huge popularity in the record charts in the UK from early 1963, Parlophone's American counterpart [[Capitol Records]] (owned by EMI) declined to issue the singles "Please Please Me" and "[[From Me to You]]"<ref>[http://www.jpgr.co.uk/r5015.html JPGR]Retrieved: 29 January 2007 </ref> in the United States. [[Vee-Jay Records]], a small [[Chicago]] label, issued the singles as part of a deal for the rights to another performer's masters. Art Roberts, music director of Chicago powerhouse radio station [[WLS]], placed "Please Please Me" into radio rotation in late February 1963 making it the first time a Beatles record was heard on American radio. Vee-Jay's rights to the Beatles were later cancelled for non-payment of royalties.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.dermon.com/Beatles/Veejay.htm | title = The Beatles on Vee Jay Records | accessmonthday = August 19 | accessyear = 2006}} Retrieved: 29 January 2007 </ref>
 
In August 1963, the Philadelphia-based [[Swan Records|Swan]] label released "[[She Loves You]]", which also failed to receive airplay. A testing of the song on [[Dick Clark]]'s TV show ''[[American Bandstand]]'' resulted in laughter from American teenagers when they saw the group's [[Beatle haircut|distinctive hairstyles]]. New York disc jockey [[Murray the K]] featured "She Loves You" on his '1010 WINS record revue' record station in January.<ref name="Spitzp461"> Spitz 2005. p461</ref> In early November 1963, Brian Epstein persuaded [[Ed Sullivan]] to commit to presenting the Beatles on three editions of his show in February, and parlayed this guaranteed exposure into a record deal with Capitol Records. Capitol committed to a mid-January release for "[[I Want to Hold Your Hand]]",<ref>[http://www.jpgr.co.uk/r5084.html JPGR I Want to Hold Your Hand release]Retrieved: 29 January 2007</ref> On [[7 December]] [[1963]] a clip of the Beatles was shown on the [[CBS Evening News]], inspiring a teenage girl in [[Washington, D.C.]] to request a Beatles song on a local radio station. The station secured an imported copy of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" — forcing Capitol Records to release the song ahead of schedule on [[26 December]].<ref>[http://oldies.about.com/od/britishinvasion/a/holdyourhand.htm I Want to Hold Your Hand]Retrieved: 29 January 2007 </ref>
 
Several New York radio stations — first [[WMCA]], then [[WINS]] and [[WABC (AM)|WABC]] — began playing "I Want to Hold Your Hand" on its release day. The [[Beatlemania]] that had started in Washington was duplicated in New York and quickly spread to other markets. The record sold one million copies in just ten days, and by [[16 January]], ''[[Cashbox]]'' magazine had certified the record number one (in the edition marked [[23 January]]). On [[3 January]] [[1964]] a film of the Beatles performing "She Loves You" was aired on the late-night ''[[Jack Paar]] Program''.
 
===Beatlemania crosses the Atlantic===
<!-- Please do not remove or change this photo-->
[[Image:Beatlessullivantogether.jpg|thumb|left|150px|The Beatles on ''The Ed Sullivan Show'']]
 
On [[7 February]] [[1964]], a crowd of four thousand fans at [[Heathrow Airport]] waved to the Beatles as they took off for their first trip to [[United States|America]] as a group.<ref name="Spitzp457"> Spitz 2005. p457</ref> They were accompanied by photographers, journalists (including [[Maureen Cleave]]) and [[Phil Spector]], who had booked himself on the same flight.<ref name="Spitzp458"> Spitz 2006. p458</ref> The pilot had radioed ahead, and as they prepared to land said, "Tell the boys there's a big crowd waiting for them." [[Kennedy International Airport]] had never experienced such a crowd, estimated at about 3,000 screaming fans.<ref name="Spitzp459"> Spitz 2005. p459</ref> After a [[press conference]] (where they first met [[Murray the K]]) they were put into limousines and driven to [[New York]]. On the way McCartney turned on a radio and listened to a running commentary: "They [the Beatles] have just left the airport and are coming to New York City..."<ref name="Spitzp462"> Spitz 2005. p462</ref> After reaching the Plaza Hotel, they were besieged by fans and reporters. Harrison had a temperature of 102 the next day and was ordered to stay in bed, so [[Neil Aspinall]] replaced him for the first television rehearsal.<ref name="Spitzp464"> Spitz 2005. p464</ref> 
 
Their first live American television appearance was on the ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]'' on [[9 February]] [[1964]]. The next morning practically every newspaper wrote that the Beatles were nothing more than a "fad", and "could not carry a tune across the [[Atlantic]]".<ref name="Spitzp473"> Spitz 2005. p473</ref> Their first American concert appearance was at [[Washington Coliseum]] in Washington, D.C. on [[11 February]].<ref name="harryp1134">{{cite book |first=Bill |last=Harry |title=The Beatles Encyclopedia: Revised and Updated |year=2000 |pages=1134}}</ref>
 
After the Beatles' huge success in 1964, [[Vee-Jay Records]] and [[Swan Records]] took advantage of their previously secured rights to the Beatles' early recordings and reissued the songs, all of which reached the top ten the second time around. (MGM and Atco also secured rights to the Beatles' early Tony Sheridan-era recordings and had minor hits with "[[My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean|My Bonnie]]" and "[[Ain't She Sweet]]", the latter featuring John Lennon on lead vocal.) In addition to ''[[Introducing... The Beatles]]'', which was essentially the Beatles' debut British album with some minor alterations, Vee-Jay also issued an unusual LP called ''The Beatles Vs The Four Seasons''. This 2-LP set paired ''Introducing... The Beatles'' and ''The Golden Hits Of The Four Seasons'', another successful act that Vee-Jay had under contract, in a 'contest' (the back cover featured a 'score card'). Another unusual release was the ''Hear The Beatles Tell All'' album, which consisted of two lengthy interviews with Los Angeles radio disc jockeys (side one was titled "Dave Hull interviews John Lennon," while side two was titled "Jim Steck interviews John, Paul, George, Ringo"). No Beatles music was included on this interview album, which turned out to be the only Vee Jay Beatles album Capitol Records could not reclaim.
 
The Vee-Jay/Swan-issued recordings eventually ended up with Capitol, who issued most of the Vee-Jay material on the American-only Capitol release ''[[The Early Beatles]]'', with three songs left off this final US version of the album. ("I Saw Her Standing There" was issued as the American B-side of "I Want to Hold Your Hand," and also appeared on the Capitol Records album ''Meet The Beatles''. "Misery" and "There's a Place" were issued as a Capitol "Starline" reissue single in 1964, and reappeared on the 1980 ''Rarities'' compilation album.) The early Vee-Jay and Swan Beatles records command a high price on the record collectors' market, and all have been copiously bootlegged.<ref>[http://www.rarebeatles.com/photospg/vj581.htm Rare Beatles]Retrieved: 29 January 2007 </ref> The Swan tracks ("She Loves You" and "I'll Get You") were issued on the Capitol LP ''[[The Beatles' Second Album]]''. (Swan also issued the German-language version of "She Loves You," called "Sie Liebt Dich."  This song later appeared (in stereo) on Capitol's US version of the ''Rarities'' compilation album.)
 
In mid-1964 the band undertook their first appearances outside of [[Europe]] and [[North America]]. They toured [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]] without [[Ringo Starr]], who was ill and temporarily replaced by session drummer [[Jimmy Nicol]]. In [[Adelaide]] they were greeted by over 300,000 people who turned out at [[Adelaide Town Hall]].<ref name=vintage>{{Cite book| author=Ficher, P. and Seamark, K. H.| title=Vintage Adelaide| publisher=East Street Publications| date=2005| pages=70–71| id =ISBN 1-921037-06-7}}</ref>
 
In June 1965, [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II]] appointed the four Beatles Members of the Order of the British Empire, [[Member of the Order of the British Empire|MBE]]. The band members were nominated by Prime Minister [[Harold Wilson]] (who also was the [[Member of Parliament|M.P.]] for [[Huyton]], [[Liverpool]]).<ref name="Spitzp556"> Spitz 2005. p556</ref> The appointment — at that time primarily bestowed upon military veterans and civic leaders — sparked some conservative MBE recipients to return their insignia in protest.<ref name="Spitzp557"> Spitz 2005. p557</ref> The first two were returned on 14 June, before the Beatles received theirs on [[26 October]] [[1965]].<ref>[http://www.napierchronicles.co.uk/1965.htm Napier Chronicles]Retrieved: 29 January 2007 </ref> On [[15 August]] that year, the Beatles performed the first [[stadium rock|stadium concert]] in the history of rock, playing at [[Shea Stadium]] in New York to a crowd of 55,600.<ref>Badman, Keith (2000). ''The Beatles Off the Record''. London: Omnibus Press. 193. ISBN 0-7119-7985-5.</ref> Their sixth album, [[Rubber Soul]], was released in early December 1965. It was hailed as a major leap forward in the maturity and complexity of the band's music.<ref> http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=Ajex1z82ajyv8 </ref>
 
===Backlash and controversy===
[[Image:Beatleslogo.gif|thumb|right|200px|The Beatles "drop-T" logo.]]
 
In July 1966, when the Beatles toured the [[Philippines]], they unintentionally snubbed the nation's first lady, [[Imelda Marcos]], who had expected the group to attend a breakfast reception at the Presidential Palace.<ref name="Spitzp619"> Spitz 2005. p619</ref> When presented with the invitation, [[Brian Epstein]] politely declined on behalf of the group, as it had never been the group's policy to accept such "official" invitations.<ref name="Spitzp620"> Spitz 2005. p620</ref> The group soon found that the Marcos regime was unaccustomed to accepting "no" for an answer. After the 'snub' was broadcast on Philippine television and radio, all of the Beatles' police protection disappeared. The group and their entourage had to make their way to Manila airport on their own. At the airport, roadie [[Mal Evans]] was beaten and kicked, and the band members were pushed and jostled about by a hostile crowd.<ref name="Spitzp623"> Spitz 2005. p623</ref> Once the group boarded the plane, Epstein and Evans were ordered off, and Evans said, "Tell my wife that I love her."<ref name="Spitzp624"> Spitz 2005. p624</ref> Epstein was forced to give back all the money that the band had earned while they were there before being allowed back on the plane.<ref name="Spitzp625"> Spitz 2005. p625</ref>
 
Almost as soon as they returned from the Philippines, an earlier comment by Lennon made in March that year launched a backlash against the Beatles from religious and social conservatives in the United States. In an interview with British reporter [[Maureen Cleave]],<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2005/10/05/bmlennon05.xml "The John Lennon I Knew"] from the Telegraph, 5 October 2006. Retrieved: 29 January 2007 </ref> Lennon had offered his opinion that [[Christianity]] was dying and that the Beatles were "more popular than Jesus now."<ref>Cleave, Maureen (1966). [http://www.geocities.com/nastymcquickly/articles/standard.html "How Does a Beatle Live? John Lennon Lives Like This"]. London ''[[Evening Standard]]'' [[4 March]] [[1966]]. Retrieved: 29 January 2007 </ref> Afterwards, a radio station in [[Birmingham, Alabama]], ran a story on burning Beatles records, in what was considered to be a joke. However, many people affiliated with rural churches in the [[American South]] started taking the suggestion seriously.  Towns across the [[United States]] and  [[South Africa]] started to burn Beatles records in protest.
Attempting to make light of the incident, McCartney said, "They've got to buy them before they can burn them." Under tremendous pressure from the American media, Lennon apologised for his remarks at a press conference in [[Chicago]] on [[August 11]], the eve of the first performance of what turned out to be their final tour.<ref name="MilesPage293-295"> Miles 1998. pp293-295.</ref>
 
The group's two-year series of Capitol compilations also took a strange twist in the United States when one of their publicity shots, used for a ''[[Yesterday and Today]]'' album and a poster promoting the UK release of "Paperback Writer", created an uproar, as it featured the band draped in meat and plastic dolls. Thousands of these copies had to be withdrawn. Years later, the cover shot was linked with the group's interest in German expressionism.<ref name="MilesPage293-295"> Miles 1998. pp293-295.</ref>
 
[[Elvis Presley]] disapproved of the Beatles's anti-war activism and open use of drugs, later asking [[Richard Nixon|President Nixon]] to ban all four members of the group from entering the United States. [[Peter Guralnick]] writes, "The Beatles, Elvis said, [...] had been a focal point for anti-Americanism. They had come to this country, made their money, then gone back to England where they fomented anti-American feeling."<ref>Peter Guralnick, ''Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley'', 420.</ref> Guralnick adds, "Presley indicated that he is of the opinion that the Beatles laid the groundwork for many of the problems we are having with young people by their filthy unkempt appearances and suggestive music while entertaining in this country during the early and middle 1960s."<ref>Guralnick, ''Careless Love'', p.426. On Presley badmouthing the Beatles to President Nixon, see also Geoffrey Giuliano and Vmda Devi, ''Glass Onion: The Beatles in Their Own Words-Exclusive Interviews With John, Paul, George, Ringo and Their Inner Circle'' (1999).</ref> Despite Elvis' remarks, Lennon still had some positive feeling towards him: "Before Elvis, there was nothing."<ref> CNN.com ''Elvis is still everywhere'' August 16, 2002. [http://edition.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/Music/08/08/ep.overview/]</ref>
 
===The studio years===
<!-- Please do not remove or change this photo-->
[[Image:beatleslastconcert.jpg|thumb|left|150px|The Beatles at their last concert, Candlestick Park.]]
In April 1966, the group began recording what would be their most ambitious album to date, ''[[Revolver (album)|Revolver]]''. During the recording sessions for the album, tape looping and early sampling were introduced in a complex mix of ballad, R&B, soul and world music.
 
The Beatles performed their last concert before paying fans at [[Candlestick Park]] in [[San Francisco]] on [[29 August]] [[1966]].<ref name="MilesPage293-295"> Miles 1998. pp293-295.</ref> McCartney asked [[Tony Barrow]] to tape the event, but the 30-minute tape he used ran out halfway through the last song. The concert lasted a little under 35 minutes.<ref>Barrow, Tony. ''John, Paul, George, Ringo & Me''. ISBN 1-86200-238-X</ref>
 
From then on, the Beatles concentrated on recording.  Less than seven months after recording ''Revolver'', the Beatles returned to [[Abbey Road Studios]] on [[24 November]] [[1966]] to begin the 129-day recording sessions for their eighth album, ''[[Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band]]'', released on [[1 June]] [[1967]].
 
On [[25 June]] 1967, the Beatles became the first band globally transmitted on television—before an estimated 400 million people worldwide. The band appeared in a segment within the first-ever worldwide TV [[satellite]] hook-up, a show titled ''[[Our World]]''. The Beatles were transmitted live from Abbey Road Studios, and their new song "[[All You Need Is Love]]" was recorded live during the show.
 
The band's business affairs began to unravel after manager [[Brian Epstein]] died of an accidental prescription [[drug overdose]] on [[27 August]] 1967 at the age of 32. At the end of 1967, they received their first major negative press in the UK with disparaging reviews of their surrealistic TV film ''[[Magical Mystery Tour (film)|Magical Mystery Tour]]''.<ref>[http://www.marmalade-skies.co.uk/beatles-magical.htm Magical Mystery Tour]Retrieved: 29 January 2007 </ref> Part of the criticism arose because colour was an integral part of the film, but in 1967 few viewers in the UK had colour televisions. The [[Magical Mystery Tour (album)|film's soundtrack]], which features one of the Beatles' few instrumental tracks ("[[Flying (song)|Flying]]"), was released in the United Kingdom as a [[double EP]], and in the United States as a full LP.
 
The group spent the early part of 1968 in [[Rishikesh]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]], studying [[transcendental meditation]] with the [[Maharishi Mahesh Yogi]].<ref name="MilesPage397"> Miles 1998. p397</ref> Upon their return, Lennon and McCartney went to New York to announce the formation of [[Apple Corps]]. The middle of 1968 saw the band busy recording the double album ''[[The Beatles (album)|The Beatles]]'', popularly known as ''The White Album'' because of its plain white cover. These sessions saw deep divisions opening within the band, with Starr temporarily walking out. The band carried on, with McCartney recording the drums on the songs "[[Martha My Dear]]", "[[Wild Honey Pie]]", "[[Dear Prudence]]" and "[[Back in the USSR]]".  Among the other causes of dissension were that Lennon's new girlfriend, [[Yoko Ono]], was at his side through almost all of the sessions, and that the others felt that McCartney was becoming too dominating.<ref>Spitz 2005. pp777–779. </ref> Internal divisions within the band had been a small but growing problem during their early years; most notably, this was reflected in the difficulty that [[George Harrison]] experienced in getting his own songs onto Beatles albums.
 
<!-- Please do not remove or change this photo-->
[[image:jk beatles george.jpg|right|thumb|150px|[[George Harrison]], 1968.]]
 
On the business side, McCartney wanted [[Lee Eastman]], the father of his then-girlfriend [[Linda Eastman]], to manage the Beatles, but the other members wanted New York manager [[Allen Klein]]. All past Beatles' decisions had been unanimous, but this time the four could not agree. Lennon, Harrison and Starr felt the Eastmans would put McCartney's interests before those of the group. In 1971 it was discovered that Klein, who had been appointed manager, had stolen £5 million from the Beatles' holdings. Years later, during the ''Anthology'' interviews, McCartney said of this time, "Looking back, I can understand why they would feel that he [Lee Eastman] was biased against them."
 
Their final live performance was on the rooftop of the Apple building in [[Savile Row]], London, on [[30 January]] [[1969]], the next-to-last day of the difficult ''Get Back'' sessions. Most of the performance was filmed and later included in the film ''[[Let It Be (film)|Let It Be]]''. While the band was playing, the local police were called because of complaints about the noise. Although the group was simply asked to end their performance, the band members later remarked in the ''Anthology'' video that they were disappointed they were not arrested — pointing out that the police hauling the band members off in [[handcuffs]] would have been "an appropriate ending" for the film.
 
The Beatles recorded their final album, ''[[Abbey Road (album)|Abbey Road]]'', in the summer of 1969. The completion of the song "[[I Want You (She's So Heavy)]]" for the album on [[20 August]] was the last time all four Beatles were together in the same studio.
 
Their final new song was Harrison's "[[I Me Mine]]", recorded [[3 January]] [[1970]] and released on the ''[[Let It Be]]'' album. It was recorded without Lennon, who was in Denmark when the song was recorded.<ref>[[Mark Lewisohn]]. [[The Beatles Box Set]] booklet</ref>
 
===Breakup===
{{main|Breakup of the Beatles}}
John Lennon announced his departure to the rest of the group on [[20 September]] [[1969]] but was talked out of saying anything about it publicly.
 
In March 1970 the ''Get Back'' session tapes were given to American producer [[Phil Spector]], who had produced Lennon's solo single "[[Instant Karma!]]". Spector's "[[Wall of Sound]]" production was against the original intent of the record, which had been to record a stripped-down live performance. McCartney was deeply dissatisfied with Spector's treatment of "[[The Long and Winding Road]]", and unsuccessfully attempted to halt release of Spector's version of the song. McCartney publicly announced the break-up on [[10 April]] [[1970]], a week before releasing his first solo album, ''[[McCartney (album)|McCartney]]''. Pre-release copies included a press release with a self-written interview explaining the end of the Beatles and his hopes for the future.<ref name="Spitzp853"> Spitz 2005. p853</ref> On [[8 May]] [[1970]], the Spector-produced version of ''Get Back'' was released as '''''[[Let It Be (album)|Let It Be]]''''', followed by the [[Let It Be (film)|documentary film of the same name]]. The Beatles' partnership was finally dissolved in 1975.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4496861.stm The Beatles' partnership was legally dissolved in 1975]bbc.co.uk - Retrieved: 26 January 2007 </ref>
 
===After the Beatles===
<!-- Please do not remove or change this photo-->
[[image:jk beatles ringo.jpg|left|thumb|150px|[[Ringo Starr]], 1968]]
Shortly before and after the official dissolution of the group, all four Beatles released solo albums, including Lennon's ''[[John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band]]'', McCartney's ''[[McCartney (album)|McCartney]]'', Starr's ''[[Sentimental Journey (album)|Sentimental Journey]]'', and Harrison's ''[[All Things Must Pass]]''. Some of their albums featured contributions by other former Beatles; Starr's ''[[Ringo (album)|Ringo]]'' (1973) was the only one to include compositions and performances by all four, albeit on separate songs.
 
Other than an unreleased jam session in 1974 (later bootlegged as ''[[A Toot and a Snore in '74]]''), Lennon and McCartney never recorded together again. Lennon was shot and killed by [[Mark David Chapman]] on [[8 December]] [[1980]] in [[New York City]]. Harrison died of [[cancer]] on [[29 November]] [[2001]].
 
In the wake of the expiration in 1975 of the Beatles' contract with EMI-Capitol, the American Capitol label, rushing to cash in on its vast Beatles holdings and freed from the group's creative control, released five LPs: ''[[Rock 'n' Roll Music]]'' (a compilation of their more uptempo numbers), ''[[The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl]]'' (containing portions of two unreleased shows at the Hollywood Bowl), ''[[Love Songs (The Beatles)|Love Songs]]'' (a compilation of their slower numbers), ''[[Rarities (American Beatles compilation)|Rarities]]'' (a compilation of tracks that either had never been released in the U.S. or had gone out of print), and ''[[Reel Music]]'' (a compilation of songs from their films). There was also [[Live! at the Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany; 1962|a non-Capitol-EMI release]] of a show from the group's early days at the Star Club in Hamburg captured on a poor-quality tape. Of all these post-breakup LPs, only the Hollywood Bowl LP had the approval of the group members. Upon the American release of the original British CDs in 1986, these post-breakup Capitol American compilation LPs were deleted from the Capitol catalogue.
 
In 1981, after Lennon's murder, the three surviving Beatles reunited to record  "[[All Those Years Ago]]", released as a George Harrison solo single. Its original lyrics had been rewritten as a tribute to John Lennon.
 
The [[BBC]] has a large collection of Beatles recordings, mostly comprising original studio sessions from 1963 to 1968. Much of this material formed the basis for a 1988 [[radio]] [[radio documentary|documentary]] series ''[[The Beeb's Lost Beatles Tapes]]''.  In 1989, many outtakes from the Beatles sessions appeared on the radio series ''The Lost Lennon Tapes''.  Later, in 1994, the best of the BBC sessions were given an official EMI release on ''[[Live at the BBC (The Beatles album)|Live at the BBC]]''.
 
In 1988 the Beatles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a group (not as individual performers) during their first year of eligibility.<ref>[http://www.rockhall.com/hof/allinductees.asp Hall of Fame]Retrieved: 29 January 2007 </ref>  On the night of their induction, Harrison and Starr appeared to accept their award along with Lennon's widow Yoko Ono and his two sons. McCartney stayed away, issuing a press release citing "unresolved difficulties" with Harrison, Starr, and Lennon's estate. Solo Beatles later inducted were Lennon in 1994, McCartney in 1999 and Harrison in 2004.
 
[[Image:Anthology_cover_collage.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Collage of the various covers of the ''Anthology'' series]]In February 1994, the three surviving Beatles reunited to produce and record additional music for a few of Lennon's home recordings.  "[[Free as a Bird]]" premiered as part of ''[[The Beatles Anthology]]'' series of television documentaries and was released as a [[Single (music)|single]] in December 1995, with "[[Real Love (The Beatles song)|Real Love]]" following in March 1996. These songs were also included in the three ''Anthology'' collections of CDs released in 1995 and 1996, each of which consisted of two CDs of never-before-released Beatles material. [[Klaus Voormann]], who had known the Beatles since their Hamburg days and had previously illustrated the ''[[Revolver (album)|Revolver]]'' album cover, directed the ''Anthology'' cover concept.
 
450,000 copies of ''[[Anthology 1]]'' were sold on its first day of release. In 2000, a compilation album named ''[[1 (album)|1]]'' was released, containing almost every number-one single released by the band from 1962 to 1970. The collection sold 3.6 million copies in its first week (selling 3 copies a second) and more than 12 million in three weeks worldwide. The collection also reached number one in the United States and 33 other countries and had sold 25 million copies by 2005 (about the ninth best selling album of all time). More recently, in 2006, George and [[Giles Martin|Giles]] Martin remixed original Beatles recordings to create a [[Love (The Beatles album)|soundtrack]] to accompany [[Love (Cirque du Soleil)|Cirque du Soleil's adaptation of ''Love'']].
 
==Musical evolution==
[[Image:Beatles - Abbey Road.jpg|thumb|left|150px|The ''[[Abbey Road (album)|Abbey Road]]'' album cover]]
:''See also: [[The Beatles' influence on music recording]]''
 
The Beatles' constant demands to create new sounds on every new recording, combined with George Martin's arranging abilities and the studio expertise of EMI staff engineers such as [[Norman Smith]], [[Ken Townshend]] and [[Geoff Emerick]], all played significant parts in the innovative sounds of the albums ''[[Rubber Soul]]'' (1965), ''[[Revolver (album)|Revolver]]'' (1966) and ''[[Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band]]'' (1967).
 
The Beatles continued to absorb influences long after their initial success, often finding new musical and lyrical avenues by listening to their contemporaries. Among those influences were [[Bob Dylan]], who influenced songs such as "[[You've Got to Hide Your Love Away]]" and "[[Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)]]".<ref>[http://www.geocities.com/paul_82_allen/beatles Geocities]Retrieved: 29 January 2007 </ref> Other contemporary influences included [[the Byrds]] and the [[Beach Boys]], whose album ''[[Pet Sounds]]'' was a favourite of McCartney's.<ref name="Milesp280-281"> Miles 1998. pp280–281.</ref>
 
Along with studio tricks such as [[sound effects]], unconventional microphone placements, [[tape loop]]s, [[double tracking]] and [[vari-speed]] recording, the Beatles began to augment their recordings with instruments that were unconventional for rock music at the time. These included string and brass ensembles as well as Indian instruments such as the [[sitar]] and the [[swarmandel]]. They also used early electronic instruments such as the [[Mellotron]], with which McCartney supplied the [[flute]] voices on the intro to "[[Strawberry Fields Forever]]", and the [[ondioline]], an electronic keyboard that created the unusual oboe-like sound on "[[Baby You're a Rich Man]]".
 
Beginning with the use of a string quartet (arranged by George Martin with input from McCartney) on "[[Yesterday (song)|Yesterday]]" in 1965, the Beatles pioneered a modern form of [[art rock|art song]], exemplified by the double-quartet string arrangement on "[[Eleanor Rigby]]" (1966), "[[Here, There and Everywhere]]" (1966) and "[[She's Leaving Home]]" (1967). A televised performance of [[Johann Sebastian Bach|Bach]]'s [[Brandenburg concertos#Brandenburg Concerto No.2 in F major.2C BWV 1047|Brandenberg Concerto No. 2]] directly inspired McCartney's use of a [[piccolo trumpet]] on the arrangement of "[[Penny Lane]]". The Beatles moved towards [[psychedelic rock|psychedelia]] with "[[Rain (The Beatles song)|Rain]]" and "[[Tomorrow Never Knows]]" from 1966, and "[[Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds]]", "[[Strawberry Fields Forever]]" and "[[I Am the Walrus]]" from 1967.
 
==Influence on popular culture==
{{main|The Beatles' influence on popular culture}}
 
===Lifestyle===
The Beatles' lifestyles were greatly altered by their success and the income they earned. The availability of the [[combined oral contraceptive pill|first oral contraceptive]] and illegal drugs changed many people's opinions — including the Beatles' — about life, marriage, and sexual relationships.<ref name="MilesPage142"> Miles 1998. p142</ref>
 
===Recreational drug use===
 
In Hamburg, the Beatles used "prellies" ([[Preludin]]) both recreationally and to maintain their energy through all-night performances.<ref name="MilesPage66-67"> Miles 1998. pp66–67.</ref> McCartney would usually take one, but Lennon would often take four or five.<ref name="MilesPage66-67"/>  [[Bob Dylan]] introduced them to [[cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] during a 1964 visit to [[New York]].<ref name="MilesPage185"> Miles 1998. p185</ref> McCartney remembered them all getting "very high" and giggling.<ref name="MilesPage188-189"> Miles 1998. pp188–189</ref> The Beatles occasionally smoked a [[spliff]] in the car on the way to the studio during the filming of ''[[Help! (film)|Help!]]'', which often made them forget their lines.<ref name="Milesp198"> Miles 1998. p198.</ref>
 
In April 1965, Lennon and Harrison were introduced to [[LSD]] by an acquaintance, dentist John Riley.<ref>[http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/music/news/article1431116.ece Independent.co.uk]Retrieved: 29 January 2007 </ref> Lennon in particular became an avid "tripper", claiming in a 1970 interview in ''Rolling Stone'' to have taken LSD hundreds of times. McCartney was more reluctant to try LSD, but finally did so in 1966 and was the first Beatle to talk about it in the press.
 
The Beatles added their names to an [[advertisement]] in ''[[The Times]]'', on [[24 July]] [[1967]], which asked for the legalisation of cannabis, the release of all prisoners imprisoned because of possession, and research into marijuana's medical uses. The advertisement was sponsored by a group called Soma, and was signed by 65 people, including [[Brian Epstein]], [[Graham Greene]], [[Ronald David Laing|R.D. Laing]], 15 doctors, and two [[Member of Parliament|MPs]].<ref name="Tokyo">[http://www.taima.org/en/hemplib3.htm Paul McCartney’s arrest in Japan]Retrieved: 29 January 2007 </ref> On a sailing trip to [[Greece]], in 1967, the whole band sat around on the boat and took [[LSD|acid]].<ref name="MilesPage379"> Miles 1998. p379</ref>
 
===Meditation===
On [[24 August]] 1967, the Beatles met the [[Maharishi Mahesh Yogi]] at the London [[Hilton]], and a few days later went to [[Bangor, Wales|Bangor]], in North [[Wales]], to attend a weekend 'initiation' conference.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/walesonair/database/beatles.shtml Beatles in Bangor] bbc.co.uk 16 November, 2006. Retrieved: 29 January 2007  </ref> There, the Maharishi gave each of them a [[mantra]].<ref name="MilesPage396"> Miles 1998. p396</ref> Their time in early 1968 at the Maharishi's [[ashram]] in [[India]] was highly productive, as practically all of the songs that would later be recorded for ''[[The White Album]]'' and ''[[Abbey Road (album)|Abbey Road]]'' were composed there by Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison.<ref name="MilesPage397"> Miles 1998. p397 BY DARKEVANGILE</ref>
 
==Discography==
{{main|The Beatles discography}}
{{see|List of Beatles songs by singer|The Beatles record sales, worldwide charts|The Beatles bootlegs}}
 
===Official CD catalogue===
In 1986–1987, EMI released all 12 of the Beatles' [[The Beatles discography#In the UK|studio albums]] — as originally released in the UK — on [[CD]] worldwide. (North American releases were on EMI's American subsidiary [[Capitol Records]]). It was a considered decision by Apple Corps to standardise the Beatles catalogue throughout the world. Because there were tracks that had been released in the UK on singles and EPs that had not been released on the original UK albums, in order for all their recordings to be available on CD it was necessary to create three further CDs that would contain the missing tracks. 
 
One CD was of a 1967 US compilation album that featured the 6-track 1967 UK EP ''Magical Mystery Tour'' and the various singles released in that year. The other two CDs were new compilations that gathered together all the other singles, EP tracks and recordings from 1962–1970 that had not been issued on the original British studio albums.
 
*''[[Magical Mystery Tour (album)|Magical Mystery Tour]]'' - [[8 August]] [[1987]]<ref>LP version originally released in the United States on [[27 November]] [[1967]].</ref>
*''[[Past Masters, Volume One]]'' - [[7 March]] [[1988]]
*''[[Past Masters, Volume Two]]'' - [[7 March]] [[1988]]
 
According to EMI and the ''[[Guinness World Records|Guinness Book of Records]]'', the Beatles have sold in excess of one billion units (1,010,000,000, including cassettes, records, CDs and bootlegs). The only other artist to come close is [[Elvis Presley]].
 
Beginning in 2004, the US album configurations were released as a series of box sets from Capitol Records (''The Capitol Albums, [[The Capitol Albums, Volume 1|Volume 1]] & [[The Capitol Albums, Volume 2|Volume 2]]''); these included both stereo and mono versions based on the mixes that were prepared for vinyl at the time of their original 1960s releases.
 
===Song catalogue===
{{main|Northern Songs}}
In 1963 Lennon and McCartney agreed to assign their song publishing rights to [[Northern Songs]], a company created by music publisher [[Dick James]]. The company was administered by James' own company [[Dick James Music]]. Northern Songs ''went public'' in 1965, with Lennon and McCartney each holding 15% of the company's shares whilst Dick James and the company's chairman, Charles Silver, held a controlling 37.5%. In 1969, following a failed attempt by Lennon and McCartney to buy the company, James and Silver sold Northern Songs to British TV company [[Associated TeleVision]] (ATV), from which Lennon and McCartney received stock.
 
In 1985, after a short period in which the parent company was owned by Australian business magnate [[Robert Holmes à Court]], [[ATV Music]] was sold to [[Michael Jackson]] for a reported $47 million (trumping a joint bid by McCartney and [[Yoko Ono]]), including the publishing rights to over 200 songs composed by Lennon and McCartney.
 
A decade later Jackson and [[Sony]] merged its music publishing businesses. Since 1995, Jackson and [[Sony/ATV Music Publishing]] have jointly owned most of the Lennon-McCartney songs recorded by the Beatles. Sony later reported that Jackson had used his share of their co-owned Beatles' catalogue as collateral for a loan from the music company. Meanwhile, Lennon's estate and McCartney still receive their respective songwriter shares of the royalties. (Despite his ownership of most of the Lennon-McCartney publishing, Jackson has only recorded one Lennon-McCartney composition himself, "[[Come Together]]" which was featured in his film ''[[Moonwalker]]''.)
 
Although the Jackson-Sony catalogue includes most of The Beatles' greatest hits, four of their earliest songs had been published by one of [[EMI]]'s publishing companies prior to Lennon and McCartney signing with Dick James — and McCartney later succeeded in personally acquiring the publishing rights to "[[Love Me Do]]", "[[Please Please Me]]", "[[P.S. I Love You (1962 song)|P.S. I Love You]]" and "[[Ask Me Why]]" from EMI.
 
Harrison and Starr did not renew their songwriting contracts with Northern Songs in 1968, signing with [[Apple Publishing]] instead. Harrison later created [[Harrisongs]], his own company which still owns the rights to his post-1967 songs such as "[[While My Guitar Gently Weeps]]" and "[[Something]]". Starr also created his own company, called [[Startling Music]]. It holds the rights to his two post-1967 songs recorded by the Beatles, "[[Don't Pass Me By]]" and "[[Octopus's Garden]]".
 
===Hit singles===
{{main|List of Beatles hit singles}}
 
===Audio samples===
<!-- The page these were sent to was deleted, so I brought them back here.-->
*'''1965'''
* {{audio|Beatles help.ogg|"Help!"}}
* {{audio|Beatles yesterday.ogg|"Yesterday"}}
* {{audio|Beatles drive my car.ogg|"Drive My Car"}}
* {{audio|Beatles nowhere man.ogg|"Nowhere Man"}}
* {{audio|Beatles in my life.ogg|"In My Life"}}
 
*'''1966'''
* {{audio|Beatles taxman.ogg|"Taxman"}}
* {{audio|Beatles eleanor rigby.ogg|"Eleanor Rigby"}}
* {{audio|Beatles im only sleeping.ogg|"I'm Only Sleeping"}}
* {{audio|Beatles into my life.ogg|"Got To Get You Into My Life"}}
 
*'''1967'''
* {{audio|Strawberryfields.ogg|"Strawberry Fields Forever"}}
* {{audio|Pennylane.ogg|"Penny Lane"}}
* {{audio|Beatles sgt pepper.ogg|"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"}}
* {{audio|Beatles lucy sky.ogg|"Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"}}
* {{audio|Beatles sixty-four.ogg|"When I'm Sixty-Four"}}
* {{audio|Beatles day life.ogg|"A Day in the Life"}}
* {{audio|Mysterytour.ogg|"Magical Mystery Tour"}}
* {{audio|Iamthewalrus.ogg|"I Am the Walrus"}}
 
*'''1968'''
* {{audio|Beatles blackbird.ogg|"Blackbird"}}
* {{audio|Beatles mother nature.ogg|"Mother Nature's Son"}}
* {{audio|Beatles helter skelter.ogg|"Helter Skelter"}}
* {{audio|Beatles revolution 1.ogg|"Revolution 1"}}
 
*'''1969'''
* {{audio|Beatles cometogether.ogg|"Come Together"}}
* {{audio|Beatles something.ogg|"Something"}}
* {{audio|Beatles herecomesthesun.ogg|"Here Comes the Sun"}}
* {{audio|Beatles bathroomwindow.ogg|"She Came in Through the Bathroom Window"}}
 
==On film==
{{main|The Beatles on film}}
 
The Beatles appeared in several [[films]], all of which featured associated [[soundtrack album]]s.
 
The band played themselves in two films directed by [[Richard Lester]], ''[[A Hard Day's Night (film)|A Hard Day's Night]]'' (1964) and ''[[Help! (film)|Help!]]'' (1965). The group produced and starred in the hour-long [[television movie]] ''[[Magical Mystery Tour (film)|Magical Mystery Tour]]'' (1967), while the documentary ''[[Let It Be (film)|Let It Be]]'' (released 1970) followed the recording sessions for the ''[[Let It Be (album)|Get Back]]'' project in early 1969. In addition, the psychedelic [[Animation|animated film]] ''[[Yellow Submarine (film)|Yellow Submarine]]'' (1968) followed the adventures of a cartoon version of the band; the members did not provide their own voices, appearing only in a brief live-action epilogue.
 
==Other projects==
==='''''Anthology'''''===
{{main|The Beatles Anthology}}
 
==='''''Love'''''===
{{main|Love (Cirque du Soleil)}}
 
==Instrumentation==
* [[Rickenbacker]], [[Gretsch]], [[Epiphone]], [[Gibson Guitar Corporation|Gibson]], and [[Fender]] guitars
* [[Premier Percussion|Premier]] and [[Ludwig-Musser|Ludwig]] drums
* [[Steinway]], and [[Blüthner]] pianos
* [[Höfner]], [[Fender]] and [[Rickenbacker]] basses
* [[Vox]], [[Fender]], and [[Selmer]] amplifiers
* [[Hammond organ|Hammond]], [[Vox (musical equipment)|Vox]] and [http://www.lowrey.com/organs.aspx Lowrey] electric organs
* [[Fender Rhodes]], [[Wurlitzer]], and [[Hohner]] [[Pianet]] electric pianos
* [[Moog synthesizer|Moog]] Modular synthesiser
* [[Mellotron]] Polyphonic Keyboard
* [[Georg Neumann GmbH|Neumann]], [[AKG Acoustics|AKG]], and  [[Standard Telephones and Cables|STC]] microphones
*[[Zildjian]] cymbals
 
==Notes==
<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:3; column-count:3;">
<references/>
</div>
 
==References==
* {{cite book | author=Coleman, Ray | title=Brian Epstein: The Man Who Made The Beatles | publisher=Viking | year=1989 | id=ISBN 0-670-81474-1 }}
* {{cite book | author=Davies, Hunter | authorlink=Hunter Davies | title=The Beatles | publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] | year=1985 | id=ISBN 0-07-015463-5 }}
* {{cite book | author=[[Cynthia Lennon{{!}}Lennon, Cynthia]] | title=John| publisher=[[Hodder & Stoughton]]| year=[[2006]] | id=ISBN 0-340-89828-3}}
* {{cite book | author=Lewisohn, Mark | authorlink=Mark Lewisohn | title=EMI's The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions: The Official Story of the Abbey Road Years | publisher=Hamlyn | year=1990 | id=ISBN 0-681-03189-1}}
* {{cite book | author=[[Barry Miles{{!}}Miles, Barry]] | title=[[Many Years From Now]] | publisher=[[Vintage (publisher)|Vintage]]-[[Random House]] | year=[[1998]] | id=ISBN 0-7493-8658-4}}
* {{cite book | author=Spitz, Bob | title=The Beatles | publisher=Little Brown | year=2005 | id=ISBN 0-316-80352-9}}
*{{cite web| title = The Beatles | work = Elvis Costello. Rolling Stone Issue 946| publisher = Rolling Stone| url =http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5939206/the_immortals_br1_the_beatles}}
*{{cite web| title = The Immortals: The First Fifty| work = Rolling Stone Issue 946| publisher = Rolling Stone| url =http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5939214/the_immortals_the_first_fifty}}
 
==Further reading==
* {{cite book | author=Astley, John| title=Why Don't We Do It In The Road? The Beatles Phenomenon | publisher=[[The Company of Writers]]| year=2006 | id=ISBN 0-9551834-7-2 }}
* {{cite book | author=Bramwell, Tony | title=Magical Mystery Tours | publisher=[[St. Martin's Press]]| year=2005 | id=ISBN 0-312-33043-X }}
* {{cite book | author=Braun, Michael | title=Love Me Do: The Beatles' Progress | location=London | publisher=[[Penguin Books]] | year=1964 [1995 Reprint] | id=ISBN 0-14-002278-3}}
* {{cite book | author=Carr, Roy & Tyler, Tony | title=The Beatles: An Illustrated Record | publisher=Harmony Books | year=1975 | id=ISBN 0-517-52045-1 }}
* {{cite book | author=Colonna, Roberto | title=Dalla prospettiva degli scarafaggi | publisher=[[Napolipiù - La verità]] | year=2005}}
* {{cite book | author=Cross, Craig | title=The Beatles: Day by Day, Song by Song, Record by Record | publisher=iUniverse, Inc | year=2005 | id=ISBN 0-595-34663-4 }}
* Dimery, Martin. ''Being John Lennon''. SAF books, 2002. ISBN 0-946719-43-8.
* {{cite book | author=Emerick, Geoff, & Massey, Howard Chiu | authorlink=Geoff Emerick | title=Here, There and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of The Beatles | publisher=[[Gotham Books]]| year=2006 | id=ISBN 1-59240-179-1}}
* {{cite book | author=Goldsmith, Martin | title=The Beatles Come To America | publisher=Turning Points | year=2004 | id=ISBN 0-471-46964-5}}
* {{cite web | author=Kubernik, Ken | year=[[October 16]], [[2005]] | title=Here, There & Everywhere | work=Variety Magazine's 100 Icons of the Century | publisher=''[[Variety Magazine]]'' | url=http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=variety100&content=jump&jump=icon&articleID=VR1117930700 | accessmonthday=January 28 | accessyear=2006}}
* {{cite web | author=Lewis, Martin | year=[[October 16]], [[2005]] | title=The Apollonian Spirit of the Beatles | work=Variety Magazine's 100 Icons of the Century | publisher=''[[Variety Magazine]]'' | url=http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=variety100&content=jump&jump=general&articleID=VR1117930902 | accessmonthday=January 28 | accessyear=2006}}
* {{cite book | author=MacDonald, Ian | authorlink=Ian MacDonald | title=Revolution in the Head: The Beatles' Records and the Sixties | publisher=Vintage | year=1995 | id=ISBN 0-7126-6697-4}}
* {{cite book | author=Martin, George | title=Summer of love: The Making of Sgt. Pepper | publisher=Macmillan | year=1994 | id=ISBN 0-333-60398-2}}
* {{cite book | author=Norman, Philip | title=Shout: The Beatles in Their Generation | publisher=MJF Books | year=1997 | id=ISBN 1-56731-087-7}}
* [[Alan J. Porter]] ''Before They Were Beatles: The Early Years 1956–1960''. Xlibris. ISBN 1-4134-3056-2.
* Ryan, Kevin, and [[Brian Kehew]]. ''Recording the Beatles: The Studio Equipment and Techniques Used to Create Their Classic Albums''. Houston: Curvebender Publishing, 2006. ISBN 0-9785200-0-9.
* {{cite book | author=Schaffner, Nicholas | title=The Beatles Forever | publisher=Cameron House | year=1977 | id=ISBN 0-8117-0225-1}}
* Turner, Steve. ''A Hard Day's Write''. 3rd ed. New York: Harper Paperbacks, 2005. ISBN 0-06-084409-4. [Discusses the inspiration for or interprets every Beatles song.]

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The Beatles were an English rock band from Liverpool, one of the most successful and influential musical groups in history. They were formed in 1960, reached international fame by 1964, and broke up in 1970. During their time together, they released 12 studio albums in the United Kingdom, 11 of which went to #1 in the album charts. In the United States, the Beatles' popularity was the peak of the British Invasion, when many British bands found great success with their rock and roll music.

Members

History

In 1957, John Lennon formed a skiffle band called the Quarrymen.[1] Paul McCartney joined later that year, George Harrison in 1958, and Stuart Sutcliffe in 1960. They then changed their name to "The Beatles", and in August 1960 went to Hamburg, Germany, to play in clubs. For these shows, they invited Pete Best to join them.

After Brian Epstein took over their management in 1961, he got them a recording contract with Parlophone Records, headed by George Martin. The band then recorded several songs to release as singles in 1962, but Martin was not satisfied with Pete Best's drumming skills, so he was replaced by Ringo Starr, another musician from Liverpool. After their second single "Please Please Me" reached #2 on the UK charts and led to the sudden explosion of their popularity, they recorded their first album, also called Please Please Me, and released it in 1963; it became a #1 album.

In 1964, the Beatles went to the United States and appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show. Their concerts all over the world were attended by thousands of screaming fans, but they stopped touring after 1966. In 1969, John Lennon announced he was leaving but this was kept secret until 10 April 1970, when McCartney announced the breakup. Each member went on to have a solo musical career.

References

  1. ↑ Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (25 April 1964). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. page 11 - ISSN 00062510.
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