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|website =http://www.beatles.com

|website =http://www.beatles.com

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'''The Beatles''' sung depressed, [[atheist]]ic and druggie-content [[rock and roll|rock music]], initially from [[Liverpool]], [[United Kingdom|UK]].  Overpromoted by the [[liberal media]] that preferred it over uplifting [[American]] songs,<ref>[[John Lennon]] became a heroin addict. [https://www.salon.com/2019/02/15/in-1969-the-fifth-beatle-was-heroin-john-lennons-addiction-took-its-toll-on-the-band/]</ref> the Beatles sold about a billion records as part of the 1960s [[hippie]] [[counterculture]].  Multiple Beatles songs were based on plagiarism of prior works by others,<ref>https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rec.music.beatles/5F7JWZTLwz4</ref> while other songs are knock-offs of popular hits (compare "[[Ukraine]] girls" to "California girls" by the [[Beach Boys]]). Like England itself, the Beatles' work was cynical about religion rather than [[faith]]-based as great music often is, and many Beatles' lyrics are drugged-out idiocy ("I am the egg man, they are the egg men, I am the Walrus, goo goo g'joob" - ''I Am the Walrus'';<ref>https://genius.com/The-beatles-i-am-the-walrus-lyrics</ref> "One and one and one is three" - ''Come Together''<ref>https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/beatles/cometogether.html</ref>). [[Elvis Presley]] opposed the Beatles' hopeless, senseless influence on [[American]]s.<ref name="Guardian">https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/oct/14/popandrock2</ref>

'''The Beatles''' ("Fab Four") sang depressed, [[atheist]]ic and druggie-content [[rock and roll|rock music]], initially from [[Liverpool]], [[United Kingdom|UK]].  Overpromoted by the [[liberal media]] that preferred it over uplifting [[American]] songs,<ref>[[John Lennon]] became a heroin addict. [https://www.salon.com/2019/02/15/in-1969-the-fifth-beatle-was-heroin-john-lennons-addiction-took-its-toll-on-the-band/]</ref> The Beatles sold about a billion records as part of the 1960s [[hippie]] [[counterculture]].  Multiple Beatles songs were based on plagiarism of prior works by others,<ref>https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rec.music.beatles/5F7JWZTLwz4</ref> while other songs are knock-offs of popular hits (compare "[[Ukraine]] girls" to "California girls" by the [[Beach Boys]]). Like England itself, the Beatles' work was cynical about religion rather than [[faith]]-based as great music often is, and many Beatles' lyrics are drugged-out idiocy ("I am the egg man, they are the egg men, I am the Walrus, goo goo g'joob" - ''I Am the Walrus'';<ref>https://genius.com/The-beatles-i-am-the-walrus-lyrics</ref> "One and one and one is three" - ''Come Together''<ref>https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/beatles/cometogether.html</ref>). [[Elvis Presley]] opposed the Beatles' hopeless, senseless influence on [[American]]s.<ref name="Guardian">https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/oct/14/popandrock2</ref>

The four Beatles were [[John Lennon]] (1940-1980), [[George Harrison]] (1943-2001), [[Paul McCartney]] (1942- ), and [[Ringo Starr]] (1940- ). Most of the Beatles' songs were co-written by Lennon and McCartney, though George Harrison penned one of their most critically acclaimed lyrics, "[[Something]]", which is one of the few quality love songs by the group but even it has a cynical tone.  In the latter half of the 1960s the majority of their songs were written individually, but retained the "Lennon/McCartney" (orig. "McCartney/Lennon") writing credit. Lennon's songwriting was harder in nature and often had a political bent, while McCartney primarily wrote lighter love songs. Harrison, who later converted to [[Hinduism]],<ref>https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-21938027</ref> frequently utilized the sitar in his songs. Starr rarely wrote music, but would usually sing one song per album except ''A Hard Day`s Night'' and ''Let It Be''. His most famous song is ''Yellow Submarine'', sometimes sung in schools.

The four Beatles were [[John Lennon]] (1940-1980), [[George Harrison]] (1943-2001), [[Paul McCartney]] (1942- ), and [[Ringo Starr]] (1940- ). Most of the Beatles' songs were co-written by Lennon and McCartney, though George Harrison penned one of their most critically acclaimed lyrics, "[[Something]]", which is one of the few quality love songs by the group but even it has a cynical tone.  In the latter half of the 1960s the majority of their songs were written individually, but retained the "Lennon/McCartney" (orig. "McCartney/Lennon") writing credit. Lennon's songwriting was harder in nature and often had a political bent, while McCartney primarily wrote lighter love songs. Harrison, who later converted to [[Hinduism]],<ref>https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-21938027</ref> frequently utilized the sitar in his songs. Starr rarely wrote music, but would usually sing one song per album except ''A Hard Day`s Night'' and ''Let It Be''. His most famous song is ''Yellow Submarine'', sometimes sung in schools.

Although the Beatles were overall the top-selling rock band, the non-druggie [[Monkees]] outsold the Beatles in 1967,<ref>https://www.businessinsider.com/most-popular-band-year-you-were-born-2020-9#the-monkees-outsold-both-the-beatles-and-the-rolling-stones-in-1967-8</ref> as reportedly did the drug-free songs of [[Creedence Clearwater Revival]] in 1969.

Although the Beatles were overall the top-selling rock band, the non-druggie [[Monkees]] outsold the Beatles in 1967,<ref>https://www.businessinsider.com/most-popular-band-year-you-were-born-2020-9#the-monkees-outsold-both-the-beatles-and-the-rolling-stones-in-1967-8</ref> as reportedly did the drug-free songs of [[Creedence Clearwater Revival]] in 1969.

Having evolved from the high school band known as The Quarrymen, around 1962 the Beatles began playing in Hamburg, Germany, and became very popular there. A year later, thanks to underground radio, they were the biggest band in their native land of the UK. In 1964, the Beatles made their historic trip to the United States<ref>http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc19782/m1/</ref> to perform on ''The Ed Sullivan Show''. To date, this performance is one of the highest-rated television events in history.  

Having evolved from the high school band known as The Quarrymen, around 1962 the Beatles began playing in Hamburg, Germany, and became very popular there. A year later, thanks to underground radio, they were the biggest band in their native land of the UK. In 1964, the Beatles made their historic trip to the United States<ref>http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc19782/m1/</ref> to perform on ''The Ed Sullivan Show''. This performance is one of the highest-rated television events in history.  

The Lennon/McCartney ballads often displayed a personal vulnerability which was extraordinarily appealing to young teenage girls. For example, "Help" contrasts a man's younger macho attitude ("I never needed anybody's help in any way") with a more grown-up attitude ("I changed my mind, I'll open up the door. Help me if you can"). Some of the more memorable Beatles' lyrics include "All you need is love," or "Let it be," from their respective, titular songs.

The Lennon/McCartney ballads often displayed a personal vulnerability that was extraordinarily appealing to young teenage girls. For example, "Help" contrasts a man's younger macho attitude ("I never needed anybody's help in any way") with a more grown-up attitude ("I changed my mind, I'll open up the door. Help me if you can"). Some of the more memorable Beatles' lyrics include "All you need is love," or "Let it be," from their respective, titular songs.

As the years passed, the Beatles' sound grew. From an old-fashioned rock and roll sound similar to the Beach Boys and Carl Perkins, the band put out a much more mature sound on ''Revolver''. They even experimented with folk on ''[[Rubber Soul]]''.<ref>http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc19794/m1/</ref> In 1967, the Beatles' album ''[[Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band]]''<ref>http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc19810/m1/</ref> changed music as we know it forever. The psychedelic sound reflected what was going on in the world at that time and also displayed brilliant use of new technologies (such as stereo sound and multitrack recording).  

As the years passed, the Beatles' sound grew. From an old-fashioned rock and roll sound similar to the Beach Boys and Carl Perkins, the band put out a much more mature sound on ''Revolver''. They even experimented with folk on ''[[Rubber Soul]]''.<ref>http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc19794/m1/</ref> In 1967, the Beatles' album ''[[Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band]]''<ref>http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc19810/m1/</ref> changed music as we know it forever. The psychedelic sound reflected what was going on in the world at that time and also displayed brilliant use of new technologies (such as stereo sound and multi-track recording).  

With the  [[The Beatles (album)|''The Beatles'']] (the "White Album"), the Beatles had evolved into hard rockers. The songs had become more personal, and the band was beginning to fall apart. Prior to Lennon hooking up with [[Yoko Ono]], the lads had agreed that only the four of them would be in the recording studio (no lady friends of any type).<ref>When John brought Yoko in to work on songs and insisted that she be treated as an equal, the others resisted the idea, and John and Yoko got the cold shoulder for the rest of the sessions. [http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mbeatlesbreakup.html]</ref> Also, creative differences were creating tension among the Fab Four.

With the  [[The Beatles (album)|''The Beatles'']] (the "White Album"), the Beatles had evolved into hard rockers. The songs had become more personal, and the band was beginning to fall apart. Prior to Lennon hooking up with [[Yoko Ono]], the lads had agreed that only the four of them would be in the recording studio (no lady friends of any type).<ref>When John brought Yoko in to work on songs and insisted that she be treated as an equal, the others resisted the idea, and John and Yoko got the cold shoulder for the rest of the sessions. [http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mbeatlesbreakup.html]</ref> Also, creative differences were causing tension among the Fab Four.

[[Image:Beatles j.jpg|left]]

[[Image:Beatles j.jpg|left]]

Their next project, originally to be titled "Get Back" and intended to "get them back" to recording songs the way they had in the earlier years and also to become a filmed documentary, exposed all the personal chafing and difficulties they were having.  The tapes were shelved since none of the band wanted to deal with them.

Their next project, originally to be titled "Get Back" and intended to "get them back" to recording songs the way they had in the earlier years and also to become a filmed documentary, exposed all the personal chafing and difficulties they were having.  The tapes were shelved since none of the band wanted to deal with them.

In 2006, Cirque du Soleil opened a Beatle-themed show in Las Vegas, the aptly titled ''Love''. The show has been an outstanding success, and so has the album put out of the same name, featuring new remixes of Beatles songs by Beatles producer George Martin and his son Giles. The album also features previously unreleased versions of Beatles classics such as "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Strawberry Fields Forever".

In 2006, Cirque du Soleil opened a Beatle-themed show in Las Vegas, the aptly titled ''Love''. The show has been an outstanding success, and so has the album put out of the same name, featuring new remixes of Beatles songs by Beatles producer George Martin and his son Giles. The album also features previously unreleased versions of Beatles classics such as "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Strawberry Fields Forever".

The Beatles were inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 1988. As solo artists, all but Ringo have been inducted (Lennon in 1994, McCartney in 1999 and Harrison in 2004).

The Beatles were inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 1988. As solo artists, all but Ringo Starr have been inducted (Lennon in 1994, McCartney in 1999, and Harrison in 2004).

In 2004 ''Rolling Stone'' magazine ranked the Beatles #1 on its list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.<ref>[http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5939214/the_immortals_the_first_fifty]</ref>

In 2004 ''Rolling Stone'' magazine ranked the Beatles #1 on its list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.<ref>[http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5939214/the_immortals_the_first_fifty]</ref>

=="Paul is dead" urban legend==

=="Paul is dead" urban legend==

A myth, possibly created by the Beatles in order to boost sales, circulated later in their career regarding a supposed death of Paul McCartney and substitution with an impostor. "Clues" were found in subliminal messages, [[backmasking]], and imagery in their albums and songs.

A myth, possibly created by the Beatles to boost sales, circulated later in their career regarding a supposed death of Paul McCartney and substitution with an impostor. "Clues" were found in subliminal messages, [[backmasking]], and imagery in their albums and songs.

Some of the many examples include:

Some of the many examples include: