The History Of The Beatles

The History Of The Beatles

Imagine four teenagers who were determined to create a successful band regardless of the cost and work necessary to be successful. George Harrison, the lead guitarist, described this determination, "We're going to do it. I don't know why ... we were just cocky" (Spitz 120). These four teenagers who were determined to be successful, never even dreamed of how successful they were going to be. Six years after starting their band, they were not only successful, but they were loved by both England and the United States. Today, many people continue to love the Beatles and have fond memories of these creative four young people. The Beatles affected both England and the United States with their songs and albums beginning in 1957 and continuing until the 1970s.

John Lennon had become enthused with rock 'n' roll music first through Bill Haley & The Comets, Rock Around The Clock (1955) and then Elvis Presley's hit Heartbreak Hotel (1956). British teenagers in the mid-1950s who wished to try creating such music but who had no experience or training became attracted to a musical form known as "skiffle" music. "It was a hybrid of American folk, blues and hillbilly with strains of primitive rock 'n' roll. Its primary attraction was that it did not require great musical skills or expensive instruments" (Wikipedia). John once said, "Nothing really affected me until I heard Elvis. If there hadn't been an Elvis, there wouldn't have been a Beetles" (Wikipedia). At the age of 17 in the year 1957, John Lennon wanted to start his first band, but the first members of his band did not succeed. "Inspired by the 'skiffle boom,' and student at Quarry Bank School in Liverpool, he decided to form a group in 1957 which laid the foundation to what was to become the most famous rock band of all time" (Spitz 47). The original name of his group was the Black Jacks, but after a week the group changed it to "The Quarry Men." The original Quarry Men consisted of John, Colin Hanton, Eric Griffiths, Pete Shotton, Rod David, and Bill Smith (Wikipedia).

On July 6, 1957, "The Quarry Men" played at an annual garden festival at St. Peter's Parish Church in Liverpool. Friend of John, Ivan Vaughan invited Paul McCartney to listen to the members of Lennon's band that day. After the concert, Paul impressed John with his rendition of "Twenty Flight Rock" and was now part of the band. "The fifteen-year-old McCartney was introduced to sixteen-year-old Lennon and a unique song writing partnership began" (Spitz 96-7). The following year, on February 6, 1958, fourteen-year old friend of Paul, George Harrison joined the group. He was always known to Paul as a wonderful guitar player as he proved this to the rest of the band in a rendition of "Raunchy", where he played it perfectly (What's In A Name).

The Quarry Men went through a progression of names including "Johnny and the Moondogs," "Long John and the Beatles," and "The Silver Beatles" before settling on "The Beatles" in August 1960. The final name was a combination word-play on the insect, beetles and the word, beat (Wikipedia). Being a drummerless band, the group invited back Pete Best to become their drummer. They originally knew of him during the times he played with John back in the day with The Black Jacks. Now that they were complete, they attempted to get a contract from Parlophone, a record label in June 1962. The head producer at Parlophone, George Martin, loved the band and thought they were good enough to be given a contract, with the exception of Pete Best who he thought was just mediocre. Best was fired by the Beatles new manager, Brian Epstein and replaced with Richard Starkey a.k.a. Ringo Starr.

The band of John, Paul, George, and Ringo was going to become successful beginning in England and then later to the United States. "In the beginning, there was John, the scruffy rebel who dazzled the good burghers of Liverpool with song and story" (McNamee). John Lennon was determined to become successful regardless of what it might take. He hunted and found different members of his band until he finally found the right band members that could make him a success. "Then came Paul, the doe-eyed champion of all things bright and chirpy. Then there were George, the quiet one, and Ringo, who was - well, Ringo" (McNamee). The fabulous four was now considered the right mix to become a successful rock and roll band.

The Beatles began with their first single and hit song on October 5, 1962, called "Love Me Do." In 1963 the 'Beatlemania' craze had started in Britain (Beatles Biography). "The phrase was used to describe the fan frenzy (particularly by young teenage girls) toward the Beetles" (Wikipedia). The Beatles had finally made it as a successful band in England. But how did these future rock 'n' roll hall of famers make it to America?

The answer lies in the hands of the famous, but least recognized, promoter, Sid Bernstein, the man who brought the Beetles to America. At first Brian Epstein rejected Bernstein's idea of them coming to America. He told Sid, "America is not playing our records. I don't want my boys to play to an empty house. We are superstars here" (Emmerson). But once Sid, told Epstein that he could get them into Carnegie Hall, the situation changed completely. Sid should be given many more thanks, for he was the man who helped build the dreams of the Beatles. Just to name a few, Sid has also touched the lives of many other legends including the Rolling Stones, Herman's Hermits, Ray Charles, the Rascals, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Elvis Presley (Biography).

The Beatles made their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964, on black and white televisions across America. The early 1960s was a sad time in history for America with the assassination of President John Kennedy and Americans needed something to brighten their lives (Spitz 449). It was the Beatles who came to their rescue. In preparation for their appearance, the CBS Television studio on W 53rd St. in New York was overwhelmed by more than 50,000 requests for tickets to a set that held [only] 700 (Spitz 471). An estimated seventy-three million people watched the Beatles sing five songs that night (Wikipedia). Now in the USA, the Beatles released twenty albums between the years of 1962 to 1970 and became the number one rock group during these years (Wikipedia). They also became the first and only group in recording history to release a hit song on both sides of a single 45 rpm record as well to have twenty songs reach number