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[[Image:Beatles,0.jpg|right|thumb|The Beatles]]

[[Image:Beatles,0.jpg|right|thumb|The Beatles]]

'''The Beatles''' were an [[England|English]] rock band from [[Liverpool]], UK. They were arguably one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century, selling around a billion records worldwide. The Beatles played and recorded many genres of [[rock and roll]], from Tin Pan Alley to [[Psychedelia|psychedelic rock]].  

'''The Beatles''' were an [[England|English]] rock band from [[Liverpool]], UK. They were arguably one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century, selling around a billion records worldwide. The Beatles played and recorded many genres of [[rock and roll]], from Tin Pan Alley to [[Psychedelia|psychedelic rock]]. They were also key figures behind the 1960s [[counterculture]].

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.  In the latter half of the 1960s the majority of their songs were written individually, but retained the "Lennon/McCartney" writing credit. George Harrison's songs became more prominent on the albums following ''Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band''.

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.  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]], frequently utilized the [[sitar]] in his songs. Starr rarely wrote music, but would usually sing one song per album.

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 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 to perform on ''The Ed Sullivan Show''. To date, 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").

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").

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''. In 1967, the Beatles' album ''[[Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band]]'' 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).  

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''. In 1967, the Beatles' album ''[[Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band]]'' 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).  

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 creating tension among the Fab Four.

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.

At this point, although the public did not know it, the band had virtually broken up.  However, at McCartney's urging, they assembled in the studio one more time and gave their fans what was to be their swan song, the splendid ''Abbey Road''. The "Get Back" tapes and film were handed over to Phil Spector to do something with them, and he produced the album that was released as ''Let It Be'', in conjunction with the release of the film, which was more a documentary of a band breaking up than one writing and recording new music in their studio.

At this point, although the public did not know it, the band had virtually broken up.  However, at McCartney's urging, they assembled in the studio one more time and gave their fans what was to be their swan song, the splendid ''Abbey Road''. The "Get Back" tapes and film were handed over to [[Phil Spector]] to do something with them, and he produced the album that was released as ''Let It Be'', in conjunction with the release of the film, which was more a documentary of a band breaking up than one writing and recording new music in their studio.

It wasn't long before the lawsuits to dissolve the partnership were flying, and the band members were releasing solo albums.<ref>  Although Lennon had made a few solo projects before the breakup, and Harrison one, they did not receive widespread notice.</ref>

It wasn't long before the lawsuits to dissolve the partnership were flying, and the band members were releasing solo albums. Although Lennon had made a few solo projects before the breakup, and Harrison one, they did not receive widespread notice.

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 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>

The two surviving Beatles are Ringo Starr and Sir Paul McCartney, who both still continue their recording and performing careers.  

Only two Beatles are currently alive - Ringo Starr and Sir Paul McCartney, who both still continue their recording and performing careers. John Lennon was assassinated in 1980 and George Harrison died of cancer in 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

==Popularity today==

==Popularity today==

Americans say Paul (27%) is their favorite Beatle, with John taking a distant second at 16%, and far fewer choosing George Harrison (10%) or Ringo Starr (9%) according to a September 2009 Zogby Interactive poll. However, 22% of Americans do not like the Beatles and 3% say they are not familiar enough to make a decision.

Americans say Paul (27%) is their favorite Beatle, with John taking a distant second at 16%, and far fewer choosing George Harrison (10%) or Ringo Starr (9%) according to a September 2009 Zogby Interactive poll. However, 22% of Americans do not like the Beatles and 3% say they are not familiar enough to make a decision.

==External links==

==External links==

*[http://www.delta.ro/beatles/paudi.html Beatle songs and lyrics]

*[http://www.delta.ro/beatles/paudi.html Beatle songs and lyrics]

*[http://beatlesnumber9.com/biggerjesus.html Transcript of LES Lennon interview]

*[http://beatlesnumber9.com/biggerjesus.html Transcript of LES Lennon interview]

{{The Beatles}}

{{The Beatles}}